I used to be a different person. I used to feel vibrant and fun, I was professionally driven, and I saw myself as successful, growth oriented, a high-achiever and powerful. I don't work anymore due to my current health challenges. I live with chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive issues. So the things above that I... Continue Reading →
Rewind Oct. 17, 2009: I just found out I have cancer
I had just moved to Seattle and started a new job. I was married to my best friend and I thought everything was amazing. Little did I know that within three months of moving, I'd be diagnosed with stage 1 oral cancer in my tongue, in one year I'd be recovering from stage 3 cancer... Continue Reading →
Head and Neck Cancer is a Lifetime Disease
When I was diagnosed with cancer it was truly awful and devastating, but over time you come to accept your diagnosis and treatment plan. You get through it because you think "this is temporary" and I will get back to my normal life after a year or two. I can't speak for other cancer patients... Continue Reading →
Reading for the Chronically Health-Challenged
I read a lot and I like sharing things that I think can help others. One reason I started this blog is because I want to put down and make available more broadly the resources that helped me when I was going through cancer and what helps me now. I've shared some of this over... Continue Reading →
Who needs your support?
My mom posted this and I have to share because it’s relevant to everyone. Cancer effects everyone, whether directly or as a friend or family member of someone with cancer. After treatment of radiation and chemo, it takes years to feel somewhat normal. And some people never feel like their old self again. The side... Continue Reading →
No sleep till….
When you have chronic pain or illness, sleeping can be inconsistent and difficult. The occipital nerve pain in my head flared up last week and by Saturday night I was in terrible pain. I slept all day and night Sunday and Monday because the pain tires me out, but it wasn't restful sleep. I'm sort... Continue Reading →
I love lifestyle blogs and instas where all the photos are perfectly on brand, consistently color themed, styled, and perfectly filtered. Where posts runneth over of beautiful dinner parties with moneys-no-object (neither apparently is time nor patience) table settings, and blissed out, impeccably dressed party guests. This, however, is not that blog. This is about... Continue Reading →
“Tears are sometimes as weighty as words” Ovid
For anyone who knows me, I'm a crier. For those who don't know me, let me fill you in...I'm a crier. It's something I was picked on for as a child, which in turn made me cry more. And something I was criticized for professionally, which made me mad, and ultimately cry. I used to... Continue Reading →
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
It's scary when you notice you are turning into your mother. But it's horrifying when you realize you are turning into your grandmother. A few weeks ago, I heard myself say to our kids "please don't throw your plastic baggies away...just keep them in your lunch box. I will wash them and we can use... Continue Reading →
Corn Maze for Dayz
Annual visit to Bob's Corn Maze. Completed the 10 acre corn maze in 33 minutes. BOOM. And, we met Bob and his wife. Awesome to see them working the events.