Category: General

Pro What?

Recently, a Supreme Court opinion was leaked that has sent some shockwaves across the world. The opinion would reverse decades of opinions based on Roe v. Wade and change the legal landscape when it comes to abortion. Many states that don't have laws about abortion on the books or have laws that haven't been enforced … Continue reading Pro What? →

Grief Tourists Who Go TOO Far

I am thankful to Chelsey Gomez and a recent Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer weekly blog roundup for learning this term: "Grief Tourists." You should check out her writing and follow her as well as the weekly round-up of blogs. I also like the definition below from BladderCancer.net, a HealthUnion site like AdvancedBreastCancer.net, for which I … Continue reading Grief Tourists Who Go TOO Far →

To my youngest son on the 7th anniversary of your birth

Malcolm-- This year, you turned 7 on the 7th and we have noticed such a difference in you this year. We think back to your rather tumultuous entry into the world and how at every moment since, you have chosen your own path. You throw every bit of your being into whatever it is that … Continue reading To my youngest son on the 7th anniversary of your birth →

305PinkPack

As many of you know, I currently live in Miami, Florida and I've posted/talked about my involvement with the 305PinkPack at various times. The Pack, as we often term it, is the brainchild of Rosemary Carrera, a breast cancer survivor, a medical professional, and all around amazing person. Here is how she describes her experience … Continue reading 305PinkPack →

I don’t want to be in the middle!!!

As the eldest of six (6), I've never experienced the woes of the middle children, but I think I might be starting to understand a little of how/why they tend have some objections to the way they are treated. My experiences aren't the result of family dynamics, but the experience of being a patient who … Continue reading I don’t want to be in the middle!!! →

When you feel brushed aside … a bit of a rant …

I’m not habitually a complainer. My main focus for most of my life has been to be a planner, a caregiver, a problem solver. I was the person that others asked for help with legal issues in my professional life and that definitely affected my personal life as well. Sure, there were always stressors and … Continue reading When you feel brushed aside … a bit of a rant … →

Book Review: Hope Rising; How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life

Recently, a dear friend and fellow MBC'er Andra Kalnins and her sister, Ilga Leimanis, began posting about their project entitled "Sister Hope." I was intrigued and followed how they presented the culmination of their discussions and activities as they worked together to process Andra's recurrent Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer diagnosis. As I did, I … Continue reading Book Review: Hope Rising; How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life →

Guilt vs Shame, Part II

In Part I, which was published last week and you can access here, I examined whether a person struggling with what they are labeling "survivor's guilt" are actually experiencing shame. My conclusion, based on the definitions, my own experiences, and some research, was that there is a combination of both. One element that I believe … Continue reading Guilt vs Shame, Part II →

Book Review: The Gardener and the Carpenter

A little over nine (9) years ago, my husband and I became parents for the first time after some struggles with infertility (I had a hormonal imbalance). That day feels like 100 years ago and yet yesterday. Prior to our eldest son's birth, we spent a lot of time talking, thinking, and reading about parenting … Continue reading Book Review: The Gardener and the Carpenter →