As you may recall, for the past 12+ years, I have been both an adult and pediatric hospice nurse. Hospice is one of the great passions of my life because I truly believe that there is no greater or more sacred honor than being with a person at the end of his or her life.… Continue reading World Hospice Day
Breast Cancer Awareness
Dr. Google
Upon my dear friend’s diagnosis of a very rare form of cancer my first reaction wasn’t, “Oh no!” or even an f-bomb. The first thing that I remember saying to her is, “Don’t Google.” (Well, actually, I probably dropped an f-bomb in there somewhere!) Now I am a stealth, rock star Googler. I love Google.… Continue reading Dr. Google
October is National (F-bomb) Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Are you wondering why gobs of buildings are illuminated pink…and why there is a proliferation of pink ribbons every (f-bomb) where? Well, it is because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Prior to my personal experience with FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers), I knew about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month only from the illuminated… Continue reading October is National (F-bomb) Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
On Saturday, September 29th (from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. WTF is it, you ask? Good question. It is an opportunity to properly rid your home of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted medications. Flushing drugs down the potty is an absolute no-no. While… Continue reading National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? For those of you who know people who have or who have had ovarian cancer, I imagine that you’ll join me in thinking that this disease certainly falls into the f-bomb category. Did you also know that a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer every… Continue reading September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
The Cancer (Non)Counselor
Last week, I heard the most absurd, disturbing, and almost almost comical (if it were not so outrageously ridiculous) story. The day before my Girlfriend (GF) was going in for her big, ginormous surgery, she got a call from her insurance company’s “Cancer Counselor” (CC). Here’s how it went: CC: Hi, I’m so-and-so. I’m your… Continue reading The Cancer (Non)Counselor
How to Be A Friend to Someone At the End Of Life
Having been a hospice nurse for the last 12+ years, I know how to be with someone at the end of life from a clinical perspective. However, last year, a very dear friend of mine died of FBC…the other kind: F-bomb Bladder Cancer. It was awful. Truly horrendous. She had been a super healthy (we frequently… Continue reading How to Be A Friend to Someone At the End Of Life
Magnificent Mandalas
A Silver Lining of this summer is that I am back to my beloved clinical work. Doing clinical work makes my heart and soul so very, very happy. So, what does this look like, exactly? Well, I am co-facilitating a support group for adolescents who either have a parent or a sibling with cancer. I am… Continue reading Magnificent Mandalas
The Project LEAD Institute & The National Breast Cancer Coalition
Last week, I had the most phenomenal learning experience at the Project LEAD® Institute. LEAD stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Development. The Institute is a is a five-day science course hosted by the NBCC (National Breast Cancer Coalition) covering the basics of cancer biology, genetics, epidemiology, research design and advocacy. The course was intense, informative, intriguing, and most of… Continue reading The Project LEAD Institute & The National Breast Cancer Coalition
Exercise to Prevent FBC
This summer, the NCI (National Cancer Institute) Cancer Center News released a story about a study done at The University of North Carolina that found that exercise may reduce FBC (f-bomb breast cancer for new readers) risk. How does this work, exactly? According to the NCI, Physical activity may prevent tumor development by lowering hormone… Continue reading Exercise to Prevent FBC