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The profile on her blog reads: Living in London. Working in ads. Currently undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer. And that about sums it up for this woman whose life has become hijacked by cancer. That's the way it goes. Cancer strikes and life revolves around it for so much longer than we'd like.
The 30-something Anne-Marie Weeden writes in a recent blog post:
I was genuinely confident at the beginning of this process that the whole chemo thing should not affect life too much. And in the first three treatments it didn't really. But the last three have just escalated in terms of the challenges they have thrown my way. They said it would be cumulative but I didn't realise it would accumulate on such a scale. I'd say the last two treatment cycles have been at least ten times as hard as the first one.
Meg Wolff survived cancer -- twice. First she had bone cancer and lost her leg to the disease. Then she had breast cancer and was given little hope from doctors who thought traditional treatment could not save her. Maybe it couldn't. But Wolff found something that did save her -- a macrobiotic diet.
Life is all about balance, says Wolff who authors a website rich in content about the connection between diet and a healthy lifestyle. She offers up-to-date information on her blog, links to recipes and resources, a calendar of events, and a look at her very own book, titled, Becoming Whole, The Story of My Complete Recovery from Breast Cancer.
Wolff says that by changing her diet, she has changed her destiny. She is alive and well and thriving. Give her a visit and see for yourself.
I didn't feel well the night cancer survivor Kris Carr's documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer aired on TLC. At the time this production began, I should have been calling it a night, bundling myself in my sheets, and drifting off to sleep. But I couldn't do it. Once I caught laid eyes on Carr's film, I couldn't let it go.
Kris Carr, a young woman diagnosed on Valentine's Day 2003 with stage 4 incurable cancer of the vascular system, began documenting her journey from the very first moment fear tore through her body.
What she captured on camera -- audio of voice mail messages, clips of car trips to and from appointments, glimpses of tests and scans and poking and prodding, peeks into her innermost thoughts and most private moments, interviews with others battling cancer, and her determined journey through both conventional and alternative healing -- brought her story to life.
Kristina Collins wrote on August 5 about the book Crazy Sexy Cancer. She bought it for a breast cancer survivor friend and called it "a practical (and funny) survival guide with insights of other young women with cancer." There's even a Crazy Sexy Cancerwebsite, she wrote. And a documentary too. Here's some scoop on the documentary:
The upbeat documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer airs on Wednesday, August 29 at 9:00 PM on TLC. It's the story of Kris Carr, actress and photographer -- now author and filmmaker too -- who in 2003 at the age of 31 was diagnosed with a rare and incurable stage 4 cancer. Weeks after her diagnosis, she began documenting her journey. It's a crazy sexy cancer story. So tune in if you're up for a good dose of inspiration and humor. Check out the seven-minute movie trailer here (click on "trailer"). And take a peek at Carr's blog here.
"I just don't want to die," says Carr. "I will do whatever it takes, whatever it takes." Her documentary is proof of that.
I like Rosie O'Donnell. And I will still like her even after I write this post. But I was so disappointed to see the following comments on her blog. Rosie.com, regarding the connection between disease and "darkness," in reference to dark thoughts.
On August 18th, a reader named Mike wrote, "Did you really tell a cancer patient that liars get cancer?"
Rosie responded:
i had a conversation with a friend/co worker about how the physical and spiritual r connected
I wrote about Miles Levin and his powerful message a few months ago in this post. Since that day I randomly stumbled across his blog and wrote about it, I've been hooked. Miles has a way of writing that is captivating, heartbreaking and above all, moving. His words have caused me to look inside my own life and appreciate the gifts I am given every day.
Unfortunately, Miles lost his battle with cancer over the weekend, at home, surrounded by the comfort and love of his family. His body couldn't fight anymore, but his spirit will live forever -- that much I know is true. For anyone who is interested CNN is planning on airing Miles' story on Anderson Cooper tonight.
In his final interview, Miles said that he wanted to be remembered as 'someone who maintained their light through their darkest journey', and I think he's achieved that with an unbelievable amount of grace.
The Bayblab weblog is proud to host the first ever blog carnival on cancer research. A blog carnival is an event where a community of bloggers come together to explore a common subject of interest.
Not only does it create a tool to exchange ideas, but it is a good way to exchange links and increase readership. The rules are simple, write a post about any aspect of cancer research, for example where you see your field contributing to cancer treatment in the future, and submit a link to your story.
"Our life is a series of images," writes Biko Mabilog on her blog canvas and manuscript. "They pass us by like towns on the highway. Sometimes, a moment stuns us as it happens. And we know that this instant is more than a fleeting image. We know that this moment will live on forever."
Biko's stunning moment came when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This moment may live on forever, but this courageous woman is handling it with such grace as she documents her journey for all to read. Plentiful with poignant words and powerful pictures, Biko's blog makes it clear she cherishes her life, her family, her every experience.
Finished with chemotherapy and in the throes of radiation, Biko writes, "I am enjoying the mundane things in life and savoring the moments I have with family and friends. Being able to choose my priorities, my commitments, my concerns makes me feel happier, healthier, more in charge of my life. It's good for my health, it is good for my soul."
The Lori Arquilla Anderson Foundation for Brain Cancer is promoting awareness of the life threatening effects of brain tumors, advocating on the behalf of cancer patients and raising funds for medical research. LAAF is dedicated to making a difference towards finding a cure.
You can read more about Lori's diagnoses, treatments and cancer journey here. Sadly Lori passed away on July 4, 2005. She was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, one of the most deadly brain cancers.
This organization keeps Lori's memory alive and reminds us also to -- live, love and laaf.
Marcia, the creator of MyLifeLine, has a dream: To make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families. A cancer survivor herself, she understands what it means to be diagnosed, undergo treatments -- and still be present and available to the questions of concerned family members and friends.
At age 27, Marcia was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. To say it was unexpected is an understatement of vast proportions! At the time of the diagnosis, she was living in Chicago and working as a flight attendant for American Airlines. She went from flying the friendly skies to a complete hysterectomy, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. One clear memory is the spiritual support she received from family and friends. "For that I am eternally grateful," she says.
MyLifeLine.org is a nonprofit organization that encourages cancer patients and survivors to create free, customized websites. Their mission is to empower patients to build an online support community of family and friends to foster connection, inspiration, and healing.
Author Leah Hager Cohen says her blog is inspired by her mother, for at least two reasons. One: it is because of her mom that she's a writer. "She has seen me for a writer my whole life, ever since I could make up stories and dictate them to her," says Cohen. Two: her mom is fighting ovarian cancer, has been since April 2006 when she was 62. Cohen's blog -- Love As a Found Object -- is for her mom and about her mom. It is quite a blog.
In an entry written in September 2006, Cohen shares:
My mother is perhaps the most energetic person I know, and my children, who collectively run a close second, have grown accustomed to having her set the pace when she is around. She's the one who persuaded me, six years ago, that the kids and I did not need a dining room nearly so much as we needed a "project room." She usually arrives for visits bearing the raw materials and mental blueprint for some art or engineering project into which she and the kids then plunge together. Even though we've all had months to get used to her cancer, her tiredness still seems strange, as does the chemo-haze from which she regards us more quietly than is her wont. She seems almost an imposter in this muffled state, so accustomed are we to having her lead us on capers and jaunts through real and metaphorical woods.
Here in North America, clean water is something we most certainly take for granted. We flush it down the toilet and the sink, we throw it out if it is not perfectly fresh. We're afraid of out perfectly clean tap water so we invest in expensive filters or buy our water from the store. And yet so many people out there would do anything for that tap water.
Here's a story from Dr. Gupta, CNN's medical correspondent, about a village in China that gets its water supply from the Hengshui River, which happens to be the river that receives heavy metal and mining deposits. On a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the most toxic--too toxic to safely touch, let alone ingest--the Hengshui rates a staggering 5. Full of known carcinogens like arsenic, lead, zinc and cadmium, the water is slowly killing the people who rely on it, and they have no choice but depend on this water source -- there are no others.
I can't imagine living in a world where the price you pay for water is your life, where you can't rely on anyone to step in and make sure you have a clean water supply. It's truly heartbreaking.
Barbara Ehrenreich, author, political activist and breast cancer survivor, writes on the "Blame the cancer patient" mentality this week on her blog in a piece titled, "What Causes Cancer: Probably Not You."
Ehrenreich writes about the new study that came out last week about fruits and vegetables not preventing the recurrence of breast cancer:
The perennial temptation to blame disease on sin or at least some grave moral failing just took another hit. A major new study shows that women on a virtuous low fat diet with an extraordinary abundance of fruits and veggies were no less likely to die of breast cancer than women who grazed more freely.
Ehrenreich also criticizes the positive psychology movement, where any health setback can be conquered with optimism, writing that the science here is "shaky at best."
Ehrenreich concludes that "optimism, especially about the validity of the conventional wisdom, can be hazardous. What you need is a narrow-eyed, deeply skeptical attitude."
From a recent post, Moore ponders that "It is hard not to ask why,"
It's hard to do research because the information scares me. A three percent survival rate. Then there is the risk profile: 74 years old, male, smoker, overweight, fatty diet, diabetic. Well, that describes me, huh? The fact is, I don't know why. And maybe it doesn't matter. All I can do is look ahead.
Her husband writes about the website, which he calls a 'labor of love' from their daughter Erin:
Some people approach us easily. Others approach us with hesitation. And others -- even though they care -- just don't know what to do or say. That's okay. It is hard. This website allows people to interact at whatever degree they are comfortable. My prayer is that you'll be strengthened by Ann's strength.
The internet has its pros and cons, that is for sure, but I just love this quote by Mr. Moore. It is hard to know what to say to someone with cancer, or how to approach them, or what you can do to help. While creating a personal blog is not for everyone, websites like Ann's and like those at CaringBridge.org, allow well wishers to send their thoughts and prayers in their own way and allow the recipients to receive them in their own way also.
We have written here at the cancer blog about Courtney Nicole a few times. You can find posts here and here. Courtney passed way about eight months ago. Her mom still keeps a journal of what is going on in her life and how she is coping with the loss of her nineteen year old daughter.
I find myself going to her site often to see how she is doing. It is heartbreaking to read her words at times and encouraging at other times. She is trying to go on -- but how, without her daughter?
Recently, Court's mom posted Its Like a Scab! on her website. Here's what she said:
The profile on her blog reads: Living in London. Working in ads. Currently undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer. And that about sums it up for this woman whose life has become hijacked by cancer. That's the way it goes. Cancer strikes and life revolves around it for so much longer than we'd like. 
Meg Wolff survived cancer -- twice. First she had bone cancer and lost her leg to the disease. Then she had breast cancer and was given little hope from doctors who thought traditional treatment could not save her. Maybe it couldn't. But Wolff found something that did save her -- a macrobiotic diet.
I didn't feel well the night cancer survivor Kris Carr's documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer aired on TLC. At the time this production began, I should have been calling it a night, bundling myself in my sheets, and drifting off to sleep. But I couldn't do it. Once I caught laid eyes on Carr's film, I couldn't let it go.
Kristina Collins 
I like Rosie O'Donnell. And I will still like her even after I write this post. But I was so disappointed to see the following comments on her 
I wrote about Miles Levin and his powerful message a few months ago 
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Author Leah Hager Cohen says her blog is inspired by her mother, for at least two reasons. One: it is because of her mom that she's a writer. "She has seen me for a writer my whole life, ever since I could make up stories and dictate them to her," says Cohen. Two: her mom is fighting ovarian cancer, has been since April 2006 when she was 62. Cohen's blog -- 
Here in North America, clean water is something we most certainly take for granted. We flush it down the toilet and the sink, we throw it out if it is not perfectly fresh. We're afraid of out perfectly clean tap water so we invest in expensive filters or buy our water from the store. And yet so many people out there would do anything for that tap water.
Barbara Ehrenreich, author, political activist and breast cancer survivor, writes on the "Blame the cancer patient" mentality this week on her blog in a piece titled, "
We have written here at the cancer blog about Courtney Nicole a few times. You can find posts 
