Beginning the Cancer Journey

Beginning the Cancer Journey

I have spent many years answering questions from friends and friends of friends who have just that week been told they have cancer.  The conversations almost always went like this: Day 1 – You:  Today, I was told by a doctor that I have cancer.  <<My...

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What Are Clinical Trials, Exactly?

What Are Clinical Trials, Exactly?

Well, what do you know? I recently moderated a workshop for seven cancer patients diagnosed within the past six months, along with their primary support persons. And the subject of clinical trials came up. Now, I cover the difference between standard treatments and...

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Cancer and Stress

Cancer and Stress

The topic for this blog is coping skills for cancer patients and their loved ones to not necessarily reduce the stressors you are currently under (wouldn’t that be nice?), but to help you better live with stress. Stress doesn’t cause cancer; but it does feed the...

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Should I Consider Clinical Trials to Treat my Cancer?

Should I Consider Clinical Trials to Treat my Cancer?

There are “standard” treatments — meaning they are adopted and approved by medical oversight groups such as the National Cancer Institute and the Food and Drug Administration because they have shown success at cures or at stopping the spread of certain types of...

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What Should I Know, if I am Eligible for a Clinical Trial?

What Should I Know, if I am Eligible for a Clinical Trial?

All clinical trials are conducted in a rigidly consistent way, so that each patient is treated exactly the same as all the other patients in the study. This way they can reduce, as much as possible, any variables that would confuse the anticipated outcomes. You will...

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Have You Told the Kids You Have Cancer Yet?

Have You Told the Kids You Have Cancer Yet?

I know this is a really, really tough one! We love our kids and grandkids, and want to protect them from everything out there that will make them hurt. And if you have been diagnosed with cancer and have young children or grandchildren, the worry of when and how to...

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Someone He (or She) Loves Has Cancer

Someone He (or She) Loves Has Cancer

A gentleman wheeled his wife into the area of the cancer center where I volunteer, to sign her in for a PET scan. After she was taken back, he came back to the front desk and ask me if the hospital had any support for caregivers. He looked almost furtive, even...

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Supplements – Good for Cancer Patients?

Supplements – Good for Cancer Patients?

Nutritional Supplements Many cancer patients who have chosen to undergo conventional treatments want to explore what is being said about the efficacy of taking supplements to increase their chances of surviving their cancer. More and more, the safety and efficacy of...

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