Life breaks us some days, making the work of being human hard. I often think about the connection between perfection and attitudes about health. Many strive for perfection knowing it’s never attainable. Why try? They work to master something that is not possible. Do they forget that wisdom is made of hard-learned experiences? An invasive...
Just at a time in women’s lives when hormone changes are already causing challenging symptoms, adding cancer into the mix can seem daunting, to say the least. Natural menopause is defined as 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period and is the beginning of post menopause. For those who have had their ovaries surgically...
There are many factors that affect intimacy in our day to day lives, then when a cancer diagnosis, treatment and side effects is added, it can become more complicated-but hope is not lost! Intimacy is choice. Intimacy is power. Intimacy is connection. It is possible to maintain forms of intimacy through every stage of life....
Living with cancer can challenge even our strongest relationships and create additional tension and stress in our conversations with caregivers, family, and friends. Thinking about our own needs and the needs of others can help clarify how we move forward in our relationships and support our own self-care. Preparing yourself for conversations can help in...
As we move through different stages of wellness, our bodies need proper nutrition to stay healthy, fight illness, and heal from all sorts of scenarios. We want to make sure to give the body as much of these nutrients as the tools it needs to do these jobs. We also want to make sure we...
There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday, and one is called Tomorrow. So Today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live. ~ Dalai Lama It is not unusual, while living with a cancer diagnosis, to feel like you have to make...
Many people say they feel as if their lives were turned upside down as soon as they received their cancer diagnosis, leaving them feeling a loss of control. Days are suddenly filled with clinic appointments, tests, and treatment visits. Feelings of stress, fear, worry, can dominate one’s thoughts. Then there are the more subtle changes...
Anyone who has been in the position of being a long-distance caregiver will attest to the fact that this is a unique and oftentimes challenging role. The term long-distance is relative; one does not need to be hundreds or thousands of miles away to be considered a long-distance caregiver. If it takes an hour’s drive...
We are creatures of habit. When things go as planned, we feel in control. However, when unexpected events occur, such as a being diagnosed with cancer, they remind us that there is only so much we can control, and that life’s uncertainty is inevitable. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty about our...
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ~Brené Brown We humans are social beings at the core of our existence. Yes, we all need our ‘alone’ time...
