Everyone Has a Story: The Anatomy of a WorrierAdmittedly I am now and have always been a worrier. But, generally, people take on this style of being as the result of life experiences. This was my case when...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
To Port, or Not to Port?Suppose you have cancer and you are about to start IV chemotherapy. In that case, your oncologist may have given you the option to have a central line, such as...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Prioritizing RestRest is freedom from activity or labor. It is a state of motionlessness or inactivity. This includes not moving your body and resting your mind. Many times, our minds and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Advanced Ovarian Cancer: You Are Responsible for Your ResilienceNo matter how difficult to accept, we all know life has limits. That is, there is a beginning and an end. Even the noblest will someday die. Death is not...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Navigating Transportation Barriers to Cancer CareDifferent treatments and appointments are part of fighting cancer. But keeping up with these commitments can be quite hard. Studies show that one of the biggest hurdles can be getting...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
"In the Bleak Midwinter"Winter holidays are filled with miracles of birth and light. Although we sometimes overdo it, is it possible we all need a prescribed time to bring joy into our lives?...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
It's Me - It's Not You: Coping Styles and New MotivationAs a therapist, I'm bewildered when I hear the message, "It's me. It's not you." People use this statement to indicate ownership of an interpersonal problem. However, does taking responsibility...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Practicing the Virtues: The Power of PatienceI realize now, more than ever, that we are the sum of all our experiences. As a result, we create meaning in every highly-stressful event and those that bring great...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Tips for Starting (and Sticking to) an Exercise RoutineImproving your physical fitness has a host of benefits, regardless of whether you have cancer. Walking, swimming, biking, dancing, jogging, or skiing can help you manage many of the physical...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Teal Tips for Life Post-DiagnosisWelcome to the Teal Club! The moment you received your ovarian cancer diagnosis, you became a member! You now join the many people successfully surviving this every day! When you...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Waiting for Signs of ImprovementFour years ago, I learned that my life was about to change. Like many others, I discovered I had advanced ovarian cancer with a life expectancy of about 4 years...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Interview With Nolan: Yes, Trans People Can Get Ovarian CancerOvarian cancer can affect anyone who has female reproductive organs. We often assume that all people with ovarian cancer are women, but this is not always the case. We interviewed...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Portrait of a Women With Advanced Ovarian CancerThis morning, I remembered an experience from long ago. My children were just 2 and 3. Although so very young, they attended Montessori preschool. Like many mothers, I dropped them...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
On a Clear Day You Can See ForeverMy code throughout life includes accepting responsibility for my words and actions. I see this way of being as an essential virtue at home and work. As a therapist, I...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Ovarian Cancer: Rocking Our WorldAt this time in my life, I hear more about friends and family facing cancer. Yet, for many years I have known that this disease could easily be part of...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Taking Care of Your ScarWhile ovarian cancer treatment can look different for every survivor, many patients undergo some sort of surgery. In my case, I had emergency surgery to remove my right ovary and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How Being a Dog Mom Helps Me Cope With InfertilityThere's no question that an advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis and infertility go hand-in-hand. But being only 29 years old at the time of my diagnosis, losing my fertility quickly became...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Building a Bag for ChemotherapyAs you prepare for your first chemo treatment and future treatments, I'd like to recommend you take a few things with you, but let's start with a good friend. A...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Favorite ThingsI'm not quite sure when it all started. Despite being dedicated to planning for our future, everything suddenly stopped in the fall of 2018. I mark this date as it...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Your Healing Path, Not MineI recently met with a fellow survivor who wanted to chat and pick my brain. She has chosen not to share much about it publicly and respectfully chooses to deal...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments