Approximately one year ago, I received my second breast cancer diagnosis. American writer Susan Sontag once said that breast cancer is the disease that enters without knocking. That description has always stayed with me. With many illnesses, there are warning signs. Pain. Fatigue. Breathing problems. Digestive issues. Something that whispers, “Pay attention. Something isn’t…
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Fluffy Cows!
Back to My Beloved Routines Returning from a recent trip, I was reminded of my need for routine. I’m not entirely happy about this, but I’ve come to realize that I enjoy—and need—my daily routines. They keep me balanced and healthy, and without them, I become uncomfortable, irritable, and a little neurotic. Which makes travel…
Why me? Why not me?
I struggled this month for a topic to write about. Not gonna sugar coat it…I’ve been in a bit of a funk. Call it post treatment syndrome. Doctors at UCSF warned me about it. After months of nearly daily check ins from my health team – full of encouragement & nurturing, giving me confidence and…
Now What?
Grateful, Hopeful…Now What? Last week I walked out of UCSF after five weeks of radiation and hyperthermia. I expected to feel triumphant. Instead, I felt something quieter — grateful, hopeful… and aware that this isn’t the end of the story. Grateful Looking back, I’m realizing that I have so much to be grateful for…so, here…
It’s a Dog’s Life!
The journey in life is sweeter when traveled with a dog… We arrived on Jan. 5 to start my treatment at UCSF Health. With our dog, Max, in tow, and amidst a torrential downpour, we found our way to our accommodations just in time for me to call an Uber, make it to my appointment,…
2026, time to cross the Bridge…
Looking towards 2026… I completed my final Chemo treatment, celebrated Christmas with family, and now I look towards 2026. “What’s next….time to ‘cross the bridge.’” While my chemo is complete, my treatment is NOT complete. With a small metastatic spot on my rib, I needed to decide how to go forward … .There have been…
A Joyful tip….
Finding Joy During the Holiday Rush Yes holidays are here. Halloween is over and the great, crazy rush toward Christmas has officially begun. You know the one—the endless shopping, the frantic decorating, the packed calendar of parties and gatherings. It can all feel like too much, too soon. So how do you cope? My latest…
Give me a head with Hair!
Give me a Head with Hair…long beautiful hairChemo hair loss & other stuff… Give me a head with Hair….Long beautiful hair….Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen waxen! “Hair” 1969, the Cowsills In my teen years, growing up in St Louis, MO with brutal humidity, I struggled & fought to have straight beautiful hair. I had curly, crazy…
Don’t pay the toll
Don’t pay the toll…till you cross the Bridge In 2012, when I received my first BC diagnosis, a good friend, co-worker & my Pastor, gave me these words of advice, “Laura, don’t pay the toll till you cross the bridge.” It helped me to slow down, breathe, take it step by step, and trust along…
October: BCAM…Are you Aware?
So this month every year I am bombarded by messages from Picktober! It’s the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month—so, are you Aware? This year, more than ever, I am AWARE of the messaging: Do we really need more awareness? (early detection is the key – get ur Mamm!) Are we soldiers in a military fighting…