Head and neck cancers present special challenges
Posted June 5th, 2015
Bob Riter
Treatment for head and neck cancers is tough, since talking, swallowing and breathing are affected.
Ringing the Bell
Posted May 21st, 2015
Bob Riter
When patients finish their last round of chemotherapy, there is often the ritual of ringing the bell. Everyone cheers. It’s a good feeling.
Living with more than one type of cancer
Posted May 8th, 2015
Bob Riter
Ithaca resident Skip Hewitt was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004, bladder cancer in 2009, and lymphoma in 2011. He told me, “When I was diagnosed with my first cancer, I cried. When I was diagnosed with my second cancer, I cried again. When I was diagnosed with my third cancer, I was just pissed off.” […]
Advice for the College Student Who has a Parent with Cancer
Posted April 24th, 2015
Bob Riter
There are thousands of college students in Ithaca and quite a few have a parent living with cancer.
Send a card: A gesture that makes a difference
Posted April 14th, 2015
Bob Riter
How can you help a friend who has cancer? Send a card.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Chemo
Posted March 24th, 2015
Bob Riter
Visitors to the Cancer Resource Center are sometimes startled to hear uproarious laughter coming from behind doors. When the visitor raises a questioning eyebrow, we respond, “Oh, that’s one of our support groups. They laugh a lot.” People expect our groups to be somber. Cancer is difficult, and there are meetings filled with concern and […]
How to Help a Cancer Patient’s Caregiver
Posted March 5th, 2015
Bob Riter
I often write columns that suggest ways that caregivers can help the person with cancer. Today, I want to suggest ways that the rest of us can help the caregiver. I’m defining caregiver as the person most involved in supporting the patient. It’s typically a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or friend. This is the person […]
Caregiving Friends May Need a Break
Posted February 20th, 2015
Bob Riter
I received a call last week that went something like this: “My friend has cancer and she wants me to visit on a regular basis. When I do visit, all she does is complain about how awful her life is. I dread these visits and go only because I feel guilty if I don’t. I […]
Cancer and the Holidays
Posted December 17th, 2014
Bob Riter
The first few months of living with cancer are weird. This sensation is even more intense during the holiday season.