What To Say – And Not Say – To A Person With Cancer
Posted September 14th, 2017
Bob Riter
Most people find it awkward when first talking with a friend or acquaintance who has just been diagnosed with cancer. Even though nearly everyone is well-intentioned, many say things that hurt or mystify more than they comfort. Based on my own experiences and my conversations with others with cancer, here are some suggestions: What to […]
Crossing the Bridge from Early to Advanced Cancer
Posted August 30th, 2017
Bob Riter
When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you cross a bridge that separates the “healthy” from those with cancer. You’re entering a scary place, but the focus is on curing the cancer and getting back to the land of the healthy. There’s another bridge that’s less visible to the general public. This bridge separates people with […]
Taking Control of Your Cancer Experience
Posted June 7th, 2017
Karen Arnold-Korzeniowski, BSN, RN
In many cases, patients feel some loss of control when diagnosed with cancer. Cancer can very quickly consume your life. You may have to stop working to get treatment, you may have to avoid social situations if you are neutropenic, you might not be able to eat the foods you like because of nausea. Cancer […]
How Spontaneous Are You?
Posted May 10th, 2017
Marlys Johnson
On a fine spring day this week, I had a hankering (what a great word, hankering … does anyone use that word anymore?) to trek back to the place where I scattered my husband’s ashes after he died of cancer, after he lived much much longer than the original prognosis: Ten preposterous brimming courageous years with late […]
Cancer Diagnosis: 15 Excellent Answers to “What next?”
Posted April 20th, 2017
Marlys Johnson
Back when Hubby and I first heard those unbalancing epic words: “You have cancer,” I remember thinking, Where do we go from here? Keep in mind that every cancer patient and diagnosis is distinctive, and therefore some of the items listed here won’t apply, or at minimum, need a disclaimer. Better nutrition and increased physical activity, for […]
Cancer Makes Everyone Stupider – and Smarter
Posted March 30th, 2017
Bob Riter
A professor recently told me that he instantly became 50% stupider when his doctor told him that he had cancer. He said that his own research in his field of study is careful and thoughtful. When he learned that he had cancer, the “careful part” of his brain shut down. Rather than thinking logically about […]
Unemployment Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
Posted June 1st, 2016
Rodney Warner, JD
There are any number of factors that can impact whether a cancer diagnosis will be fatal. Which cancer is involved, its stage, your age, other medical conditions you may have and overall health are just some of the many variables. A recent study shows a new issue to think about: if you recently lost a […]
Spouses Should Support, Not Direct, Cancer Care
Posted April 28th, 2016
Bob Riter
I frequently hear cancer patients say that a spouse or partner is adding stress to their lives by constantly expressing their own opinions as to what is best for the patient. Here are some examples: “You have to go to New York City for all of your cancer treatments. You can’t get good care anywhere […]
Take the right person with you to medical appointments
Posted January 29th, 2016
Bob Riter
In a recent article, I encouraged people with cancer to take someone with them when they went to important medical appointments. When you hear the words, “You have cancer,” you tend to have trouble remembering anything else. Today, I want to suggest who to take with you on those appointments. Take someone who listens more […]
Writing About Cancer
Posted September 23rd, 2014
Bob Riter
When I began writing this newspaper column about cancer, I wondered how long it could last. After all, how many story ideas about cancer could there be? Seven years later, the ideas keep coming and I’m still writing. I’ve decided that writing about cancer is writing about life. Cancer is a lens that makes life […]