New Year’s Wishes 2016

Posted December 29th, 2022

I’d like to give myself a magic wand at this time of the year to grant wishes to those affected by cancer. This was a wish list I put together in 2015, yet it is still relevant. Maybe this will be the year my wishes come true! Here are my wishes for the upcoming year: […]

Holiday Coping and Enjoying

Posted December 17th, 2021

For cancer patients and families who are in current treatment, holidays can be a bit tricky. We may not have the energy for large gatherings. Our appetites and treatment sensitivities may suggest a small and VERY downsized day…even a day that is very private. People can get really stressed out around the holidays. We can […]

Grief and Loss in the Classroom: Holding SPACE for Students Coping with Cancer in their Lives.

Posted September 27th, 2019

When I was 12 years old, my dog Shadow died. I’d known him my whole life. I was devastated. This was the first loss I experienced. I went to school the next day-tearful, moody, sad, angry-in shock and disbelief.  I was a mess. I remember opening the lid of my desk and hiding my tears. […]

Holiday Coping & Enjoying!

Posted December 4th, 2018

For many of us, Thanksgiving was a day we spent perhaps a little more simply than usual. For cancer patients and families who are in current treatment, holidays can be a bit tricky. We may not have the energy for large gatherings. Our appetites and treatment sensitivities may suggest a small and VERY downsized day…even […]

How to Be Diagnosed With Cancer

Posted May 24th, 2018

It’s a tacky educational brochure you hope no one ever thrusts in your hands: So You’ve Been Diagnosed with Cancer, Now What? I certainly didn’t know what to do with myself. My first diagnosis when I was 28 came after a game of phone tag. The surgeon who performed the needle biopsy—the gentleman who had […]

Keeping The “Happy” In Happy Holidays!

Posted December 1st, 2017

Struggling with juggling everything during the holidays? Worried about managing treatment, side effects, holiday parties, shopping and family? Wondering how to honor a loved one coping with cancer during this holiday season? Our team hosted a webinar a few years back talking about these issues and more. It’s an oldie, but goodie that may give […]

3 Thoughts on Maintaining an Outward Focus with Cancer

Posted December 7th, 2016

Hubby and I were anticipating a new trail with friends. Three-in-One Cone in the Sisters Wilderness with views of seven distinct massive rock-solid peaks. As we began our climb, we found ourselves in the clouds. Dense. Gray. Wet coldness. No mountains in any direction. A week later, Hubby and I hiked the same trail and climbed the same cinder cone. The cold […]

I’d Want You On My Team

Posted October 28th, 2016

Snaking through the security line at Los Angeles International, I noticed an abandoned backpack. I watched it for a few moments as the line continued to move. “Is this anyone’s backpack?” No response, so I slipped under the barricade to report it. About the time I got back in line, a woman claimed it. She had left it on […]

Season Changes: What Season Are You In?

Posted October 19th, 2016

This is the beginning of my favorite time of year, this golden-aspen-football-pumpkin season that extends to turkey-more football-pie-gratitude season—(although gratitude season should be year-round)—followed by the Christmas-music-lights-knitting-scarves-gift-giving season. Photo credit: Unsplash It’s also the season of the long slow sweet good-bye as I walked beside Hubby. Just two years ago. (Why does it seem like last month?) The Byrds […]

Bob Riter

Take the right person with you to medical appointments

Posted January 29th, 2016

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 […]