ONCOLOGY NURSES ARE A BLESSING

Before I became ill, I had wondered why anyone would want to work in a field where they knew people might die. But after meeting some incredible nurses during my cancer journey, I now know why. Like many people, I had the wrong stereotype about the entire field of medicine and oncology......

CANCER SURVIVORS, BE LIKE THE BIRDS AND HELP EACH OTHER

I, like most people, enjoy hearing birds sing and watching them fly. My parents had birdfeeders in the yard, and we would watch them all the time. However, I never knew how intelligent they were until I toured a bird sanctuary. The shelter took sick and injured birds from all over the......

WHAT TO DO NEXT AFTER FINDING OUT YOU HAVE CANCER

Every one of us remembers our shock when we were told we had the dreaded C-word. We usually recall with clarity the doctor’s words, the size of the room, and who was with us. We share similar feelings of bewilderment, fear and the huge question—are we going to die? We undergo treatments......

THE LOSS OF A HEALING TOUCH DURING COVID – 19

A cancer survivor laments the inability for a comforting hand during COVID-19. This is a story with two ideas. One is about the beautiful oncology nurses, who selflessly take such good care of us. The other is about the importance of touch. I have written several articles in the past on these......

LIVING WITH CANCER NOT DYING OF IT

A cancer survivor offers some statistics about the longevity of cancer survivors. I think if any of us are honest, the first thing we fear when we are told we have cancer of any kind is asking if we are going to die. Then, when some of us are told it is......

HUGS ARE IMPORTANT FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

A cancer survivor yearns for the “touch starvation” brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic to be over. She writes about how just one hug can make a huge difference for people. I never cease to be amazed at the long arm that extends from CURE® readers to readers across the United States......

HOW DOES A PATIENT WITH CANCER NOMINATE ONE NURSE?

A cancer survivor describes how oncology nurses have had a deep impact on her during treatment. Every year, CURE® asks the cancer community to nominate a favorite oncology nurse. I never have been able to do this and the reason is positive. Every oncology nurse is special – how can I possibly......

ONE OF MY ARTICLES MADE THE TOP 5 FOR THE WEEK!

...

AS CANCER SURVIVORS WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE DROWNING DURING COVID -19

A cancer survivor explains how she feels like she’s living inside a nightmare with new COVID-19 variants appearing all the time, making her unable to see her family over the holidays. I have been writing about the double whammy of COVID-19 and cancer for survivors for way too long now. This nightmare began in......

THE LOSS OF AN ONCOLOGIST IS HEART-WRENCHING FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

I think all of us feel abandoned somewhat when we lose an oncologist, and other cancer survivors have expressed these same emotions to me. But I have to realize that a piece of her will always be with me until the day I pass. The relationship between an oncologist and patient is......

THE START OF 2022 SUCKED BUT I’M SLOWLY GETTING “BACK IN THE RACE”

Early 2022 was difficult for me, with the death of my dog and some difficult cancer-related situations, but thankfully, I know wonderful people who helped pull me out of my slump. We all have those ups and downs like a roller coaster in our lives. Frank Sinatra says it best in his......

I HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: A LOCAL CANCER CENTER AND A RESEARCH CENTER

The decision to be treated locally or at a large research center can be a difficult one, but I am lucky enough to have both. One of the hardest decisions cancer survivors can make is whether to have their treatments done locally or travel to a research center farther away. Unless, of......