Sometimes our perspective can be rather limited, especially when something as life-altering as cancer starts to affect us. One way to begin the process of effectively dealing with your own situation is to connect to others who are going through, … Read More

Although she remains anonymous online, Lymphopo opens up almost all aspects of her life to her readers in her online journal. Her blog only goes back to November 2006, when she was already in the midst of chemotherapy. Yet, the … Read More

Once you’ve determined the best course of action, then the hard part begins. While there are no hard and fast rules for how to talk to family and friends about your cancer, generally speaking, it is good to be prepared. … Read More

No one is ever ready to hear their doctor say the dread words, “you have cancer.” No matter how much knowledge or experience a person has, this pronouncement puts everyone on the same playing field. What do you do when … Read More

Last year saw the release of one of the more interesting takes on cancer in film. The movie was written as a semi-autobiography by Will Reiser, a friend of Seth Rogen’s. Doctors found a cancerous tumor in Reiser’s back when … Read More

Spring is the season of hope. Hope for future harvests. Hope for new life. Hope, as tender seedlings break out of the ground. When winter inevitably arrives, spring is the light at the end of the tunnel. When spring fades … Read More

The odds are that you have seen or heard an advertisement encouraging you to stand up to cancer. Launched in 2008, the Stand Up 2 Cancer organization has received pledges in excess of $80 million for cancer research. Their primary … Read More

In December of 2006, Kelly Kane was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkins lymphoma. After finishing six  months of chemo, Kelly was told she was in remission in October of 2007. Over the last few years, Kelly kept a blog about … Read More

Over twenty-five years ago, Nancy Brinker promised her dying sister that she would do all in her power to help improve the lot of women diagnosed with breast cancer. After years of fund-raising, research, and creating awareness, the survival rate … Read More

Cancer is a deeply personal disease. Our own bodies turns against us. While only someone who suffers from cancer can understand the trials brought on by this disease, each of us is caught up in a web of relationships-all of … Read More

The fourth stage of the grieving process (remember, these do not always happen in a sequence) is depression. In this state, you feel too sad to do anything. Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and apathy can be overwhelming. Like the anger … Read More

When you face the possibility of your own death, the shortness of life becomes all too real. There are so many things that you want to do, places you want to go, that time becomes utterly precious. Unfortunately, the realities … Read More

You might know about LiveStrong just from their very popular yellow wristbands. You might have heard about it from following Lance Armstrong’s battle with cancer. What you might not know is that LiveStrong is a multi-faceted organization set on becoming … Read More

We’ve all done it before. Before a big test, after a messy break up, or in the midst of a turbulent job situation. “If only I had… ” “What if I promise to… ?” Bargaining is one of the more … Read More

In April 2006, Jayne Byrne was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive lobular breast cancer. Right before she began chemotherapy, Jayne began blogging about her experience. Her blog honestly describes the emotional roller coaster of someone fighting cancer. Readers observe Jayne … Read More

One of my favorite movie scenes is in Forrest Gump, when Lieutenant Dan ties himself to the mast of their shrimping boat and faces down a raging storm. The rawness of  his anger and the injustice of his situation create … Read More

You have cancer. One of the most dreaded phrases to hear, these three words can instantly change your life. In seconds, your world is turned upside down. Long-term plans are put in doubt. Future certainties become tenuous. The “normal” life … Read More

In July 2005, Dave Hahn was diagnosed with Stage IIIB Hodgkins Lymphoma. As of today, he is a successful pianist living and performing in New York City. His blog, written over three plus years, chronicles his battle with cancer and … Read More

Recent studies show promise for treating advanced, metastatic breast cancer. First, an experimental drug called pertuzumab has been shown to delay the effects of cancer by an average of six months, a “spectacular result” according to Dr. Swain, the medical … Read More

If you had to choose between certainty and safety, which would you choose? A recent panel of experts recommended that certain cases of low-grade prostate cancer be observed instead of treated. By attacking the cancer instead of actively observing it, … Read More

When you get the bad news, the first thing you might want to do is avoid it. This is a pretty normal reaction. No one likes to be in pain, and the truth can hurt just as much as any … Read More

A common topic among newly diagnosed cancer patients are the five stages of grief , as described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her book On Death and Dying (1969). According to the author, there are five stages that a person goes … Read More

You have cancer. One of the most dreaded phrases to hear, these three words can instantly change your life. In seconds, your world is turned upside down. Long-term plans are put in doubt. Future certainties become tenuous. The “normal” life … Read More

Recent studies show promise for treating advanced, metastatic breast cancer. First, an experimental drug called pertuzumab has been shown to delay the effects of cancer by an average of six months, a “spectacular result” according to Dr. Swain, the medical … Read More

If you had to choose between certainty and safety, which would you choose? A recent panel of experts recommended that certain cases of low-grade prostate cancer be observed instead of treated. By attacking the cancer instead of actively observing it, … Read More