Author Archive

Talking with Children About a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Having to tell children about a breast cancer diagnosis is rotten. I mean, really, as if having breast cancer isn’t hard enough. However (based on my professional experience as a nurse and my personal experience as a patient), I know that including children in the process — from the time of a diagnosis — is the most important thing that we adults can do for …

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: What to Say (or Not Say)

Because I’m seeing so much pink this week, I find myself thinking about all things related to FBC (f-bomb breast cancer). It’s amazing how a few (million) pink ribbons reactivate the memory of experiences (and f-bombs!).

One of the things that comes to mind (that you dear readers discuss with me frequently!) is:

What to say or WTF not to say to someone with FBC.

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Including Palliative Care as Part of Your Treatment — from the Time of Diagnosis

Right after my FBC diagnosis (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers), my husband and I had an information gathering week. After a series of diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the disease, we had a series of meetings to interview doctors to determine who would become a part of my/our health care team.

One big misnomer in our culture is that doctors (solely) …

Breast Cancer: Is it a Fight?

When I was fully immersed in treatment, I went out on a really big limb and broached a subject that had been on my mind since the time of my breast cancer diagnosis. It took me a while to bring it up because it’s, well, it’s anti-establishment — in a BIG way.

Here goes: I never saw my experience with breast cancer as a “fight.” …

A Breast Cancer Beginning… Nurse Turned Patient

As a nurse, social worker, and child development specialist, I have worked with a great number of people with cancer. I have also documented my own physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and oftentimes hilarious journey through, with, over, and around breast cancer. To clarify: breast cancer isn’t funny. Not at all. However, my journey? Frequently guffaw-inducing.

Another clarification: I prefer to call breast cancer FBC. The …