Ways to Help and Show Support for a Loved One with Cancer during COVID-19

Posted April 17th, 2020

Changes are happening Many institutions and cancer centers have put restrictions on visitors accompanying patients for outpatient appointments. This includes patients that are receiving cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Most guidelines now state that patients can’t have anyone accompany them unless they are unable to complete the visit on their own. As […]

Coping with COVID-19: National Health Care Decisions Day

Posted April 16th, 2020

Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). I’ve written blogs about this day for the last several years. NHDD “exists to inspire, educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning.” Advance care planning includes thinking about your wishes for medical care should you have advanced illness. It is a process that […]

Putting Your Pantry to Work 2: One-Pan Dishes, Soups, and Sweets

Posted April 15th, 2020

Americans are facing many challenges at the moment. Just one of these challenges is to keep dining at home both interesting and nutritious day after day using what you already have in the pantry or your freezer. Here are a few reminders: Canned vegetables have received a bad reputation because they are higher in sodium […]

COVID-19: Oral Health Tips

Posted April 14th, 2020

Patients receiving cancer treatment therapy are often at risk for oral complications.  Most dental practices are closed for routine procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s more important now than ever to take care of your oral health.  I have treated many patients with a history of cancer treatment therapy, and with proper precautions taken, they […]

Coping with COVID-19: What You Need to Know About Stimulus Payments

Posted April 13th, 2020

Beginning this week, qualified individuals/families will begin to receive stimulus payments. These payments are included as part of the 2 trillion dollar stimulus bill passed by Congress a few weeks ago. Let’s unpack more about these payments. Who will be getting a stimulus payment? Individuals who made less than $75,000 and couples who made less […]

Making Changes

Posted April 10th, 2020

When I was in college getting my nursing degree we had labs where we would practice certain aspects of patient care prior to our clinical rotations. One lab that I clearly remember was learning how to open and put on a pair of sterile gloves. No big deal right, it is just putting on gloves. […]

Coping with COVID-19 and Cancer: Changes to Unemployment Guidelines and Impacts on Health Insurance

Posted April 9th, 2020

Many folks, including cancer survivors, have suddenly found themselves out of work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Federal government passed the CARES act in late March to expand eligibility, payments, and length of time for unemployment claims. This bill created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA). Another result of […]

Putting Your Pantry to Work: Dips, Salads and Sandwiches

Posted April 8th, 2020

Americans are facing many challenges at the moment. Just one of these challenges is to keep dining at home both interesting and nutritious day after day using what you already have in the pantry or your freezer. Here are some basics tips: Canned vegetables have received a bad reputation because they are higher in sodium […]

Jenny’s COVID Cancer Bit

Posted April 7th, 2020

Oddly enough, my cancer treatment trained me for this unforgettable moment in history. All my life I had been chubby. In my 30’s I picked up running and finally got into shape.  Someone suggested taking up yoga to improve my running, I did, and it worked like a charm. After a year of practicing yoga, I was diagnosed […]

Sideline Lessons

Posted March 31st, 2020

During a preseason basketball game in my freshman year of college, I tore just about every ligament and piece of cartilage in my knee. Destroyed it. Just like that, my “plan” for my college life had changed. For the next year and a half, I had 4 or 5 surgeries and countless hours of PT […]