Remembering and Forgetting and Remembering to Remember
I have been holding on to this post for quite some time (I keep forgetting to post it, chemo brain-much?). A couple of my friends had offered to write posts for the blog offering advice about how not to murder your friend with cancer (dark humor gets us by sometimes). Christine’s post is probably more befitting of where my brain has been more recently. My friend Kaz also wrote a past post called Support is About Showing Up....
The Story of Goo & Gull
This is an amazing story posted by Shellie Long Kendrick on her Facebook notes. I am reposting with permission (she added a few edits too). It is so fitting to all of us in cancerland. Enjoy! Sometimes I feel like I have an angel and a devil sitting on my shoulders. The angel goes by “Goo” and the devil is named “Gull” It’s actually spelled “g-l-e” , but Gull changed it about 4 years...
A Treat During Cancer Treatment
I love monthly surprise boxes, it is like Christmas every month. I have signed up for various ones to fit my hobbies and passions – and there have been some I have on my “I want to try those boxes later” list (otherwise my house would be bombarded with boxes and my wallet very empty!). I may or may not have signed up for some dog toys to show up for a couple of months to help entertain our busy house of barking...
Xeloda and Tykerb for my Brain Metastases
A week ago my long awaited Xeloda and Tykerb arrived in the mail, so I could start my new regimen. I have had some friends have some great responses to Xeloda recently (most aren’t also on Tykerb), so I am super hopeful and nervous that I am hopeful. Hope gets you out of bed in the morning on some days – and I have needed some of that. The brain metastases and winter threw me into a depression. This isn’t abnormal...
Mike Responds for National Caregivers Month
I read a lovely post that Ann had her husband write for National Caregivers Month (November) and thought I would have Mike do a written interview to close out the month (since he is my day to day caregiver). I have family and friends who bust their chops to all help Mike, which is awesome. So you all should have celebrated the entire month of November, sorry I am forgetting to tell you until the last day. <3 I sent Mike the...
5 Things Not to Say to Someone With Metastatic Breast Cancer
In honor of metastatic breast cancer awareness day (October 13), here are 5 things not to ask someone with metastatic breast cancer: 1. When will you be done with treatment? The answer is never. We will be in treatment until we die. Even if the magical NED status comes. Once you have stage IV breast cancer you have circulating cancer cells in your bloodstream that have to be kept in check. The average lifespan is 3 years after...