In the parlance of cancer treatments, I am currently on my fifth (5th) line, meaning the fifth (5th) set of medications to treat the cancer in my body since 2017. For anyone who is curious, here are the lines of therapy that I've been on thus far: Adriamycin and cytoxin -- June/July of 2017 Ibrance … Continue reading Xeloda and Topical Heparin
Category: Advocacy
Comparative suffering
Recently, during a webinar I was moderating for SurvivingBreastCancer.Org, Jennifer O’Brien said something along the lines of “comparative suffering is a crock of shit.” The webinar was all about the amazing organization Soaring Spirits, which supports people grieving after their person has died and which I encourage all of you to check out and support. … Continue reading Comparative suffering
Facing 2023 without dear friends
I'm pretty sure that if I go back through all of my posts since 2018, there are quite a few about loss, about death. Frankly, I don't have the energy to count them all up, but I know the posts are there because I think about and experience loss a great deal. At no other … Continue reading Facing 2023 without dear friends
Breaking into Advocacy
During the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), a comment was posted on a post that continued a picture of a few of us hamming it up for the camera with the person commenting lamenting how they weren't part of the "in crowd" in MBC advocacy. The same picture was posted in a few … Continue reading Breaking into Advocacy
Day 4 in San Antonio (a day late)
Can you tell that things get overwhelming at a big scientific conference? My stamina is definitely different these days and I'm glad that things are starting to wind down. I've also learned a little about taking breaks and prioritizing the topics and activities that are the right fit rather than trying to take everything in. … Continue reading Day 4 in San Antonio (a day late)
Day 3 in San Antonio, 2022
After the marathon day yesterday, we got a slower start to the day today. A calm port in the storm of the conference activity is the Patient Advocacy Lounge sponsored by Eli Lilly, which gives those of us who need a break some down time and a place to connect with other patient advocates. Starting … Continue reading Day 3 in San Antonio, 2022
Day 2 in San Antonio 2022 (a day late)
Checked in officially this morning for the conference and was pleasantly surprised that the physical book of information about the conference was included. Yes, I'm sure I'm dating myself and the ap does have a lot of great features, but I really do enjoy having something in my hands to hold and write on. There … Continue reading Day 2 in San Antonio 2022 (a day late)
Off to San Antonio!!
Every December, people from all over the world dedicated to the treatment of those of us with breast cancer gather in San Antonio, TX for the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. I've been attending in person or virtually since 2018 and have learned so much each time I've attended from the actual program, the new … Continue reading Off to San Antonio!!
Reflections on Panel Discussion
As we near the end of November and prepare for a busy December, I've been thinking a lot about my trip to Las Vegas and opportunity to speak on a panel during the 2022 HLTH Conference. Some of you may recall my last post as I was preparing to fly there, which you can access … Continue reading Reflections on Panel Discussion
My Invisible Work …
This post comes from a pop up writing workshop with Wildfire, "the only magazine and writing community for the women "too young" for breast cancer." I've written before about how I've been honored to have some of my writing published in various issues of Wildfire over the years (and will again in the upcoming MBC … Continue reading My Invisible Work …
No Half Measures 