I cannot help it but every time I hear about someone who has died from cancer, it takes a toll on my spirit and knocks me down a notch. I hurt for the person, for their family and their friends. I also hurt deeply for myself, because I know that I too may not survive [...]
Today’s New York Times has published another of its fantastic articles about cancer and coping with cancer. Today’s article, written by Jane Brody, discusses chemo brain. Until a short time ago, many doctors denied that it even existed, but today it is pretty much accepted as being real. One is said to suffer from chemo [...]
Every time I feel any pain, especially when it is in my chest or lower back, the little birdie whispers to me that I have finally developed a bone met. What are just the normal aches and pains from getting older sometimes seem to magnify and turn on the worry switch. It isn’t dissimilar to [...]
I know, it isn’t manly to cry and it certainly isn’t manly to admit that you cry. But, you know what, I don’t care. I do have reasons to cry and I don’t care how you respond because crying does help me feel better. OK, I admit it, I’ve been crying a lot recently, but [...]
What I have learned from cancer: I learned that I will be have a million tomorrows, so I need to find a way not to waste any of them I may be fortunate to have. I learned that I can’t control everything that happens to me, but I need to learn to control those things [...]
When I was on an active hormone blockade (ADT2) I suffered extensively from many of the usually reported morbidity issues (negative side effects). One of the side effects I dealt with was significant cognitive impairment. I live in New York City, was born in the city and have spent most of my life in the [...]
I am in Ann Arbor Michigan this moment getting ready to go to my youngest child's graduation. I am thrilled to not only be alive to see this celebration, but even more thrilled to say that I am still in basically good condition despite having been diagnosed over seven years ago. When I was diagnosed [...]
I have never been a good skier, always content to take my time and get down to the bottom safely. I remember one time I allowed myself to be coaxed to a slope that was way beyond my skill level. After falling as I came off the lift, I found myself at the top of [...]
On January 30 I had my standard blood work, which included the old reliable PSA. As I have predicted, my PSA has continued to double at the rate of 5.1 months with the velocity of 0.02 ng/ml/mo. This is a rate that is consistent with the prior doubling rates, although my oncologist has told me [...]
Not only is having cancer a life changing experience, but it also is a life-long event. Once you have been diagnosed, even if you think that you are cured, you remain a cancer survivor until you die. Cancer is never cured it is only controlled. We all are constantly subject to having a recurrence and [...]
