Living

Holy crap. If cancer wasn’t enough to deal with...let’s talk about the stress of money. How the hell are you going to pay for your care? Here are some tips...

Like our other Health Union condition communities, the Social Health Network brings people together to drive unique and impactful conversations about health. It also aims to expand opportunities for health...

In May 2022, I responded to news of the further advance of my ovarian cancer. My trusty PET scan indicated enlarged lymph nodes, the spread to my right lung, and...

Many emotions arise when you are facing a cancer diagnosis. Finding ways to process those feelings is important. One technique that many find helpful is journaling. Journaling allows you to...

On a recent Sunday Morning CBS television interview, my tears flowed before my awareness and emotions could connect. I have learned to let my body teach me. This time my...

And before you know the treatment that became your security blanket is now over... If there is one known fact about ovarian cancer (yes, there are plenty of other known...

I often remind my readers that I re-engaged in a chemo regime that will end at some unknown time. While the goal is 4-6 months of treatment, my organs seem...

In 2017 I had been fighting ovarian cancer for 2 years. During that time, I endured a lot, and I was prepared to handle all that came with this. But...

Ovarian cancer comes with many misconceptions. Friends and family often lack awareness of this type of cancer. It can feel frustrating to need to educate about the disease while living...

Spending a lifetime in healthcare, my experience with suffering may be skewed. To be present and of value to others, we build up some resistance to pain and suffering. I...

It wasn't until I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that I started to realize the benefit of a second opinion. From both personal and professional experiences, I believe patients don't...

For many people, cancer is the worst fear of all. Often, just the word cancer leads people to imagine hair loss, chemotherapy, nausea, and other physical symptoms. However, the physical...

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I immediately had my world turned upside down. I was facing fear and living in emotional turmoil. Going through chemotherapy and the changes...

If you have ever felt dismissed by a doctor, you may have experienced a type of bias (prejudice) called medical gaslighting. Medical gaslighting can happen to anyone, but it most...

Many of us are managing through an illness that may someday take our lives. However, I believe we all have a timestamp indicating a beginning and an end. Unfortunately, mine...

For those dealing with the various symptoms of menopause - whether surgery-related, chemotherapy-induced, or brought on by certain types of prescription medications - hot flashes and night sweats are likely...

When it comes to being diagnosed with cancer and going through cancer treatment I believe the financial cost of living with cancer is one of the most underestimated layers of...

I recently became an online support group facilitator for the NOCC (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition). When I was going through my cancer journey in 2020 and 2021 I reached out...

For over fifty years, I trusted science. I worked diligently to become an advanced practice nurse and maintained certification through ongoing education and participation in supervised healthcare experiences that continue...

One thing that can be hard to remember as a cancer patient is that we are not the only one's processing and adjusting to our diagnosis. Family, friends, and even...