Can I Have a Nonviolent Relationship with Cancer? (Part 1)

Posted November 15th, 2021

By Marisa Guerin, PhD I have long been struck by the language of war and violence that is associated with cancer, but it hasn’t been a personal concern…. until now. A few months ago, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood plasma, and I now find myself sorting through my feelings […]

Honoring our Labor

Posted September 1st, 2021

It’s hard to believe the traditional end of summer, Labor Day is upon us.  It’s a good time to take a moment and honor all that labor—work—means to us and our lives. This includes The works of our ancestors whose labor helped pave the way for each of us. The work of our own hands […]

A Summer Poem

Posted August 20th, 2021

From Blossoms From blossoms comes this brown paper bag of peaches we bought from the boy at the bend in the road where we turned toward the signs painted Peaches. From laden boughs, from hands, from sweet fellowship in the bins, comes nectar at the roadside, succulent peaches we devour, dusty skin and all, comes […]

CancerLand Bookshelf : Loosen

Posted July 26th, 2021

Author: Kyle PotvinISBN: 9781939449078 LoosenInformation: Hobblebush Books, 2021 $18.00 USOncolink Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/3) Flattered. That’s the best word to describe how I felt last week after I clicked on an email from OncoLink and read a forwarded invitation from Kyle Potvin to review her new book of poetry. Incredibly flattered actually, since I had only […]

10 Tips for National Cancer Prevention Month

Posted February 10th, 2021

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. While you are likely well aware of things you should do to prevent cancer –avoiding smoking and wearing sunscreen, and getting regular screenings for colon, breast and prostate cancer, for example– there are other steps you can start taking now to up your odds of remaining cancer-free. In fact, […]

Begin Each Day…

Posted January 20th, 2021

Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ….get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Begin each day with a grateful heart.~ Abraham Heschel The above quote is one I have above my bathroom mirror. It has known many homes since I […]

My Experience as the Music Volunteer at Penn

Posted April 2nd, 2020

From the time I started my graduate degree in Music therapy, I knew I wanted to do work within the medical setting. The very first class I ever took was based on methods in medical music therapy and immediately something clicked for me. I realized I wanted to be the person who brought music to […]

On the Front Lines with Cancer and COVID-19

Posted March 19th, 2020

While the rest of the world is learning how to work from home, I am focusing on providing outstanding care for my patients in a whole new way.  Of course, I am continuing to adhere to the recommended guidelines for advanced safety by enhancing hand hygiene, surface decontamination practices and avoiding contaminating my workspace.  More […]

Rodney Warner

Welcome to Cancerland!

Posted March 18th, 2020

If you’ve been treated for cancer, “social distancing” is old news. Where not to go, what not to do, hand washing, been there done that. Why? Because the disease and treatment can leave your immune system a mess. All this annoying shit that, if it’s not driving you crazy now but might in the future, […]

Can We Edit our Cancer Stories? How?

Posted January 30th, 2020

There’s a quote from Susan Statham that gave me pause when I first read it: “Your life is a story; write well, edit often.” How do you do that? How does the editing process work? Back when my husband’s cancer took a sharp left turn, chemo was prescribed – not as a cure, but as […]