11 Things to Know About Being a Cancer Survivor
Posted May 1st, 2018
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN
Here at OncoLink, we are celebrating the 11th birthday of our survivorship care plan tool called OncoLife. Survivorship care plans and survivorship care can help people with cancer – and their caregivers – with many challenges. There are over 17 million cancer survivors in the US alone and they face a range of post treatment […]
Cancer Survivors Can Help the Newly Diagnosed
Posted August 3rd, 2017
Bob Riter
When friends I haven’t heard from for many years suddenly call me, I wait for them to say, “Bob, I just got diagnosed with cancer.” This is not unique to me. People who have had cancer are often asked for advice by those who are newly diagnosed. Similar conversations take place in cancer support groups. […]
The Little Care Plan That Could
Posted April 24th, 2017
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN
When OncoLink launched in 1994, it was the first cancer information website on the internet. Twenty-three years later, it remains one of the largest. Housed at Penn Medicine, with a focus on patient and provider education, OncoLink has continued to evolve as cancer treatment has changed over the years. In April of 2007, the group […]
It’s Not All Rainbows and Glitter
Posted March 29th, 2017
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN
If you have never heard the words “you have cancer”, then what I am about to explain may defy logic, but bear with me. Let’s imagine you are heading to the cancer center for your last day of treatment – chemotherapy, radiation, whatever it may be. What are you feeling? What thoughts are running through […]
To Ring or Not To Ring
Posted October 10th, 2016
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN
Watch any TV show or movie about cancer and you will see the patient celebrate the end of treatment – cupcakes, balloons, all smiles. In radiation there is a tradition of ringing a bell to mark the end of treatment – a symbol of the celebration. Our society is trained to think every patient should […]
Beyond Cancer
Posted November 3rd, 2015
Donna-Lee Lista
It’s been too long since I’ve checked in and shared some thoughts regarding life as a lung cancer survivor. As you and I know all too well, life goes on, and so does the whirlwind associated with it. The upside of being a cancer survivor is no matter what else happens in your life, you […]
Happy Mother’s Day
Posted May 1st, 2014
Donna-Lee Lista
The other day while shopping, my 26 year old daughter asked me what I wanted for mother’s day. We were looking at purses at an outlet and I mentioned I liked a particular purse and she said, “Do you want this for mother’s day?” I thought for a moment and realized I really didn’t want […]
CancerLand Bookshelf: In the Body of the World
Posted April 30th, 2013
Alysa Cummings
At the very mention of her name – Eve Ensler – I’m transported back in time. Suddenly it’s the year 2001 and I’m sitting in a darkened Philadelphia theater along with ten other women from my breast cancer support group.