Listening to Patient Narratives

Posted June 9th, 2020

In Latin, the word “patient” means “one who suffers,” or “I am suffering.” Even in the literal translation, there’s no beating around the bush when it comes to what it’s like to live with illness. The experience of being a patient often involves significant pain and feelings of vulnerability that isolate and destabilize one’s sense […]

Working with Cancer

Posted September 26th, 2017

I happened to turn on the TV this weekend to see Senator John McCain talking on 60 Minutes about his latest cancer battle (he had been treated for melanoma in 2000). I do love to hear survivor stories – they can be so inspiring and remind me how important the work we do is, supporting […]

Bob Riter

Keeping Yourself in Balance

Posted December 3rd, 2015

Yesterday afternoon, a woman about to begin chemotherapy came into my office and asked, “What advice do you have to help me get through my treatment?”  I’ve been asked this question in various forms hundreds of times. I now realize that the answer boils down to this: “Keep things in balance.” It’s all about being […]

Bob Riter

Learning to Coexist With the Uncertainty of Cancer

Posted September 11th, 2015

I routinely talk with people who have just been diagnosed with cancer. They’re struggling with treatment decisions and the realization that life is suddenly different. I also talk with people with advanced cancer who are coming to terms with a poor prognosis and the realization that, in all likelihood, they will die prematurely because of […]

Bob Riter

Don’t Assume You Understand

Posted July 29th, 2015

When Donna Berich tells people that she has skin cancer, they sometimes say, “Skin cancer? Oh, everyone gets that.” Well, not quite. Few people have skin cancer like Donna and others who have Basal Cell Carcinoma Nevus Syndrome (BCCNS). It’s common to think of skin cancers as falling into one of two categories: Melanomas which […]

CancerLand Bookshelf: And in Health: A guide for Couples Facing Cancer Together

Posted September 10th, 2013

And In Health covers topics ranging from aspects of a couple’s emotional life to the finer points of successfully interacting with your medical team.

Loneliness and Cancer May Be a Deadly Combination

Posted August 27th, 2013

It’s hard not to feel isolated when you’re being treated for cancer. Your priorities so drastically change after a cancer diagnosis.

New Year’s Wishes

Posted January 7th, 2013

I like to give myself a magic wand in the first column of each year to grant wishes to those affected by cancer.

The Transitions of Cancer

Posted November 21st, 2012

My job is to listen to people affected by cancer and to help them however I can.

Groundhog Friends

Posted November 9th, 2012

I’m often asked how to be a friend to someone with cancer. I generally answer this question by encouraging them to be good listeners and to be present for their friend in every sense of the word. The best friends are what I describe as “groundhog friends.” Remember the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray? […]