When we moved from Orlando to Miami in October of 2017, we thought it was forever, or at least I did. I expected to die at some point while we lived in Miami. In 2017, I'd recently been diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) and had learned that the median life expectancy was … Continue reading See ya Later Miami, Hello Orlando
Book Review: Holding Space, on Loving, Dying, and Letting Go
I've written before about Holding Space and how much I suck at it. From an early age, I was socialized to be a caregiver, a problem solver, a person who jumped in and helped. This idea of sitting in solidarity, of holding space, has been such a huge learning experience since my diagnosis in 2017 … Continue reading Book Review: Holding Space, on Loving, Dying, and Letting Go
Quick Medical Update
When we discovered that the cancer in my body had spread to my liver back in January of this year, we had to make a lot of decisions rather quickly, which always seems to be the case in this experience with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). No matter how much we prepare or research … Continue reading Quick Medical Update
National Cancer Survivor’s Day, 2022
According to the website, NCSD.org, National Cancer Survivors Day® (NCSD) is the first Sunday in June each year and is set aside as: a CELEBRATION for those who have survived,an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community.https://ncsd.org This organization, as many others do, define a "survivor" as follows: A survivor is anyone living with a … Continue reading National Cancer Survivor’s Day, 2022
Chasing a Cure, Part II, evaluating legitimacy
In Part I, I laid out some of reasons why finding a cure for cancer is a really big deal. A REALLY BIG DEAL. So many people's lives are riding on medical innovation and creativity, mine included. And so it's important to be able to evaluate whether a "source" or a "study" is something to … Continue reading Chasing a Cure, Part II, evaluating legitimacy
Chasing a Cure, Part I, a PROBLEM
No one wants there to be a cure for cancer more than me. A cure for cancer would mean that instead of knowing that I will leave my boys with a gaping hole in their lives, I might get to see them grow up, dance with them at their weddings, meet my grandchildren. The list … Continue reading Chasing a Cure, Part I, a PROBLEM
Who am I?
Who you really are is the result of many many things. How you deal with fear. Who you surround yourself with. And how you show up when it matters”Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy, Season 18, episode 12 Recently, in a support group that my Dad and I moderate for those who are living with Stage … Continue reading Who am I?
Calling All Patient Advocates
When I was newly diagnosed, I had no energy to do much of anything but stay alive, go to doctor appointments, read as much as possible to try to understand and try to do stuff around the house. I was also closing down my law office transitioning staff and clients and furniture and dealing with … Continue reading Calling All Patient Advocates
The Light gets in …
“Yes you have been broken.But you won’t stay shattered for ever my friend.You will scrape those little shards of your soul from the floor and pull them all together to rebuild, better than before.Stronger.But this time there will be cracks…and that is how the light will get in.And you may not keep all the little … Continue reading The Light gets in …
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?
No Half Measures 