Questions Every Patient Should Ask

Posted June 6th, 2013

These three questions sound simple, but they aren’t asked nearly enough. It’s more than OK to ask – it’s encouraged!

Parking Lot Moment

Posted May 13th, 2013

You’re initially stunned when you hear the words, “You have cancer.” Your brain freezes and things are a blur for at least a few minutes.

Does Cancer Hurt?

Posted May 3rd, 2013

When I talk with groups of students, someone usually asks, “Does cancer hurt?” It’s an interesting question that can be answered on many different levels.

Don’t Look Back with Cancer

Posted April 5th, 2013

Nearly everyone with cancer wonders if they would be better off had they made different decisions somewhere along the line.

Too Little and Too Much Cancer Treatment

Posted January 29th, 2013

Although I firmly believe that everyone should be in control of their own treatment decisions, I have observed that some people seem to seek too little treatment when they are first diagnosed and other people seek too much treatment at the end of their lives.

New Year’s Wishes

Posted January 7th, 2013

I like to give myself a magic wand in the first column of each year to grant wishes to those affected by cancer.

Holiday Gifts When the Cancer is Advanced

Posted December 4th, 2012

About this time last year, I wrote a column on buying holiday gifts for people with cancer. I discouraged gifts that focused on illness.

Holiday Gifts

Posted November 30th, 2012

Since this is a gift-giving time of year, I have been thinking about gift suggestions for people who are being treated for cancer and for those who have recently completed treatment.

The Transitions of Cancer

Posted November 21st, 2012

My job is to listen to people affected by cancer and to help them however I can.

Groundhog Friends

Posted November 9th, 2012

I’m often asked how to be a friend to someone with cancer. I generally answer this question by encouraging them to be good listeners and to be present for their friend in every sense of the word. The best friends are what I describe as “groundhog friends.” Remember the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray? […]