This year was the second time that my husband, Elliot, and I went to DC for the Metavivor stampede and the METup Die In. Last year, we were nearly entirely focused on the Die In and I think we didn't enjoy the time as much. This year, we had a very different experience. Why? I … Continue reading 2019 Metavivor Stampede and METup Die in
Author: Abigail Johnston
I'm a daughter, a wife, a mother, and I've been living with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer since March, 2017. All of the words I publish are my own.
The Violence of Cancer
I was at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in early December, 2019, when a tweet was posted by Liza Bernstein referring to the "violence of cancer. " At first, I thought I would disagree with the characterization and then, when I spent some time pondering the concept, I discovered that it resonates with me … Continue reading The Violence of Cancer
Medical Update, first of 2020
It's 2020 and I'm still marveling that the 90s were so long ago! 2019 ended on a not so great note medically as I've been dealing with increasing right leg pain for the last few months. I did not repeat the mistakes I made when I was initially diagnosed and definitely reported my pain, frequently … Continue reading Medical Update, first of 2020
New Year’s Day 2020
2020 is here. Each new season and calendar change means something very different to me now. When I was young, I felt the frustration and anticipation of yearning to be older and for time to pass more quickly. As I've gotten older, time seems to move too fast sometimes and not fast enough at other … Continue reading New Year’s Day 2020
New Year’s Eve 2019
2017 was a doozy, probably the worst year of my life to date. 2018 and 2019 have been quite different as we continue to recover from 2017 and discover how our lives have changed. Every time I start to think we've figured something out, things change. The saying ... "the only constant is change" ... … Continue reading New Year’s Eve 2019
Christmas Day 2019
Christmas has changed quite a bit for me since I was a child. Even though my parents did a lot to remind us what Christmas means to those of us in the Christian faith, it was genuinely mostly about presents. I see this same perspective in my boys. Despite our best efforts and discussions and … Continue reading Christmas Day 2019
Christmas Eve 2019
Christmas Eve Candlelight Meditation By Gary Kowalski Once more the year's turned round. We've come full circle on this small planet, Spinning down the grooves of change, Another revolution completed around the sun. Another year older ... Another set of rings on the tree ... As seasons parade in endless procession The people's troubles and prayers … Continue reading Christmas Eve 2019
IV: A Documentary Intervention
One of my most favorite things about the trip to DC this year for the Metavivor Stampede and METup's Die In, was the opportunity to participate in the first public readings of IV: A Documentary Intervention. We've been reading the script in workshops via Zoom for the last several weeks and I was familiar with … Continue reading IV: A Documentary Intervention
Christmas List
I love Christmas. The decorating, the gift giving, the family time. It is literally my favorite time of the year. Not just because my birthday is also in the mix, but there's that too. As soon as it's mildly socially acceptable, I break out the Christmas music. The boys tolerate my singing for a song, … Continue reading Christmas List
Grief anniversaries
Saturday mornings have never been the same for me. They are now a Grief Anniversary; a perpetual, involuntary holiday where my heart marks its injury over and over and over again without me getting a say in the matter.Since that terrible day there has rarely been a Saturday morning regardless of what I’ve been in the middle of, when I have … Continue reading Grief anniversaries
No Half Measures 