Archive for the ‘Day-to-Day Matters’ Category

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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Reconstruction Coverage Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act

When you are diagnosed with breast cancer and opt for mastectomy and breast reconstruction, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your surgery will be covered by your health insurance plan. Such surgical procedures can cost tens of thousands of dollars, taking into account the bills from the lab, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the surgical assistant, the hospital, and others.

Prior to …

Ethereal Summer Salad

As a kid, I consumed more than my fair share of thick cucumber slices, either seasoned plainly with salt and pepper or dipped in clotted sour cream [I preferred the former]. What I enjoyed most about the humble cucumber was its dependable crunch and sturdiness: it never let me down. I also loved how cooling it felt to snack on cukes during the hot summer …

The Absent Editor

There are times when we say things we wish we hadn’t. My patients have certainly talked about this experience, especially as they go through menopause. I’ve experienced it too, wishing intently that I had kept a thought to myself, or studiously ignoring my husband’s question whether I would like to open my mouth to change feet.

Different strategies work for each of us but these …

Chemotherapy and Exercise

When you go through chemotherapy, in addition to the preoccupation of whether or not it will effectively destroy the cancer cells, you may be concerned about how to retain your physical fitness during treatment.

If you are an endorphin junkie like I am, you’ll find that keeping up with an exercise program during chemotherapy, if you are physically able to, is a good way to …