TRIGGER WARNING: I’m going to talk about topics that some may find uncomfortable. Namely, I’m going to discuss female genital health. Buckle your seat belts, things are about to get personal. I already tend to be personal in these blog posts, and along those lines I’m going to address an issue that has come up … Read more
Right before the pandemic, I attended a writing workshop with Jeff Goins called Tribe. It was in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn’t know anyone attending, but I wanted to attend because I really wanted to finish my book and I was searching for support for how to make that happen. I connected with a few amazing … Read more
We made it! I’ve written about it before, the holiday season isn’t pure joy for many, me included. It often feels like a challenge to me to be able to make it through. I’m estranged from most of my family and for many years now, I spend none of the holidays with my biological family. … Read more
What a couple of weeks it’s been! How are you doing this week? I hope you’re hanging in there. I’m still navigating the Stages of Grief from finding out I have Stage 2 metastatic breast cancer. My third round of breast cancer. I did learn, from my endocrinologist of all people!, why this third round … Read more
A few days ago, October 20th, 2023, was the 19th anniversary of getting word that I had breast cancer for the first time. In 2004, I was 39 and it was a shock to learn that the lump I had found in my right breast was cancer. Granted, it really wasn’t a shock as I … Read more
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I went in for a PET scan to see if the 5 nodules on my lungs, one of which had grown a little over the past year since they’ve been tracking it, were cancer. That PET scan was held on August 25th. I went in to meet with … Read more
A few days ago I saw a post on Instagram asking what our favorite diabetes focused blogs were these days. A bunch of people replied saying their favorite diabetes blogs no longer exist. Maybe people are tired of blogging about the endless ins and outs of living life with diabetes. As you know, I’ve been … Read more
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has arrived in one of the weirdest years ever. We are still in a worldwide pandemic and it’s not safe to gather in groups. This is the first year since 2013 that I have not spent most of the year and the month of October organizing Personal Ink Tattoo Day. Like … Read more
“Endurance is a decision, not a quality.” ~ John Munger What is endurance? How does one endure? How much can one endure? These questions have entranced me for much of my life. It’s what drew me to Vipassana meditation almost 20 years ago. It’s what captured my imagination and my body when I discovered my … Read more
It’s the day after October 20th, my 15th cancerversary, as I write this post. Yes, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time on October 20th, 2004. I’m still alive and I’m still working to help women transform their lives after going through a mastectomy. After all I have survived, I am profoundly … Read more