Each October, a group of men and women, of all ages and races and stages of breast cancer, descend on Washington DC to participate in several events. 2018 was the first year Elliot and I traveled to DC for the Metavivor Stampede -- I wrote about that experience and you can access that article here. … Continue reading 2020 Metavivor Virtual Stampede
Category: Advocacy
Roadmap to MBC Organizations
I just had an amazing podcast recorded with my dear friend, Emily Garnett's, husband, Christian Garnett with the "Our MBC Life Podcast" and we talked about her projects and his commitment to carrying on her legacy, particularly within the MBC Community. One of her projects was to create a binder for the newly diagnosed with … Continue reading Roadmap to MBC Organizations
Just Mercy
George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020 and the world hasn't been the same since. The outpouring of support from the entire world and the widespread acknowledgments, albeit somewhat late, of the ongoing systemic racism affecting the black community in the United States, has been heartening to see. The number of policy changes that … Continue reading Just Mercy
#MetsMonday
I can't find an official definition of #MetsMonday, so I'll give you mine -- "#MetsMonday exists to remind each of us that those of us with metastatic cancer need research and intervention in order to lead full and fulfilling lives." If you have a definition, I'd love to hear about it! #MetsMonday is why I … Continue reading #MetsMonday
Palliative Care Project
Palliative care has to be one of the most misunderstood elements of care that I've encountered. I count myself amongst the people who knew next to nothing about it before I was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I'd always lumped palliative care in with hospice, frankly, and I've discovered that many other people think the … Continue reading Palliative Care Project
Legacy Project
What does it mean to leave a legacy? How does this change with a diagnosis of Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)? I've been pondering these questions for most of the last three (3) years I've been living with Stage IV MBC and I don't know that I have THE answers; at the same … Continue reading Legacy Project
Take the Inclusion Pledge with me
From Tigerlily Foundation: "The Facts: Black women have 40% higher mortality rates;Black women are often diagnosed at later stages when treatments are limited, costly and the prognosis is poor;Black women are often diagnosed at younger ages and have more aggressive breast cancer;Black women make up only 6% of clinical trial participants. Take the #InclusionPledge: "WE … Continue reading Take the Inclusion Pledge with me
Powerlessness
Some of you may remember the posts I've written about how I often feel dehumanized at the hands of the American Healthcare System. Looking back, I realize that I've long felt this way, but since my interaction with doctors and visits to the doctor were so few and far between, it became somewhat expected. Now … Continue reading Powerlessness
Missing Out
I've written before about the Fear of Missing out or "FOMO" as it pertains to parenting and the limitations of MBC that affects my ability to actively and physically participate in life with my children. Thanks to COVID-19 and the pandemic, we're definitely drowning in family time right now. At the same time, the lack … Continue reading Missing Out
When a loved one gets it wrong
The impetus for this post came from a rather difficult conversation in one of my breast cancer support groups recently. I'm not referring to any one particular person in this post and some of it isn't even about me or my own experiences. This post is purely my own musings. At the same time, I've … Continue reading When a loved one gets it wrong
No Half Measures 