By Sarah J. for everythingchangesbook.com

I remember when I was twelve my grandpa was dying of lung cancer and I couldn’t even speak as I sat in his hospital room. The grown-ups kicked me out before I was able to say good-bye.

When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s my… Read full post »

By Jackie B-F

“What’s that scar on your neck?†I wasn’t even 20-minutes into the first day of orientation for my Master’s program and my scar had already been noticed. I have been debating the whole summer about how to disclose my cancer at my new school.… Read full post »

By Kristen Schindler

Cancer has a way of destroying the parts of you that you define yourself by. I felt cancer destroyed my ability to push my body to do great things.  I am an athlete, but my treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma sucked away most of my energy. I played… Read full post »

By Kairol Rosenthal

During my stint with cancer, I’ve attended both thyroid cancer and young adult cancer groups.  They ranged from excellent to abysmal.  Here are six tips I’ve come up with for making the most out of a support group experience. I’m curious if you’ve ever tr… Read full post »

By Jackie Blachman-Forshay

Thyroid cancer is referred to as the “good cancer†to have.  Treatment generally involves surgery followed by radioactive iodine, and cure rates for the disease are incredibly high.  After surgery, the only drugs I took were my daily hormones and a lonely roun… Read full post »

By Sarah J.

I keep finding myself thinking: If my doctor gives me a few months to live, would I want to live them the way I have been? The answer of course is no. I’m sure I’m not the first cancer patient who thought about quitting… Read full post »

By Jackie Blachman-Forshay and Kairol Rosenthal

You have the right to access your own medical records for a “reasonable†fee, according to federal HIPAA laws.  Most doctors’ offices and hospitals charge copying fees, which range widely in price, and add up if you have a thick chart. He… Read full post »

One of the great things about being an author is all the emails I get from other aspiring writings who want to learn more about how to get published. They want to know about the craft of writing, the process of becoming an author, and how to succeed in… Read full post »

I get tons of emails from thyroid cancer (and other thyroid patients) wondering how to best handle starting new thyroid medication or changing doses of thyroid medication. These helpful hints are based on my own experiences as well as those of other thyroid cancer patients I met on the… Read full post »

Everything Changes is throwing a 1-year-old birthday party for the Affordable Care Act. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know what’s in the bill – you’re not alone. Our big, broken health care system needed a fabulous new makeover; the changes are welcome, yet complex.

I  Read full post »

I had a marathon dream last night that involved about ten different settings, four different eras of my life, my ballet teacher, her diseased father’s used gun and ammo shop, costumes, a high school fling, joining a cult, eating crushed cookies packaged up into little paper tubes, fanta… Read full post »

The thought of carrying a child for nine months and having them pass through my crotch is about as appealing to me as having a recurrence of my cancer.  I’ve flat out never wanted to become pregnant.

On date number two with my husband I told him I had cancer. … Read full post »

I cannot get rid of my cancer. But lately I’ve wanted to get rid of things that remind me of my cancer.

Prior to my diagnosis, I felt like everyday objects could hold power. A glittery ribbon on a package sent by my best friend had the ability… Read full post »

What’s Government Run Care vs Government Regulated Health Insurance? Are We Now Canada?

In my last post, a survivor named Amy commented on her concerns with government run health care. Her comment made me realize just how confusing the difference is between government run care vs. gov… Read full post »

It’s super important that we understand the new health care changes that went into effect on September 23, 2010. Why? Because they’re now your legal rights. If an insurance company is not complying with these regulations, you can and should hold them accountable so you get the… Read full post »

If I had another blog that was not about cancer, I would probably write this post there.  But I don’t.  I’ve got this blog and am happy to have you as my readers.  I’m not writing about cancer today, so if that’s what a want to read about, check out… Read full post »

Thyrogen is a damn expensive shot (not always covered by insurance) that simulates the experience of being hypothyroid and allows thyroid cancer patients to undergo full body scans, and sometimes even treatment, while still on their hormones. I have used thyrogen and it is remarkable. While… Read full post »

Sadly, a family health issue is preventing me from attending and speaking on the Social Media Panel the OMG Summit this weekend. Urgh! So please allow me to wax about the subject here instead:

Social media (like a phone or radio) can be used for fluffy, brain draining,/… Read full post »

In response to my post Power of Realistic vs Power of Positive Thinking, H Lee D (aka Heather) left the comment that she’s always spoken about her cancer in the past tense. She said “I had cancer” even before she was cancer free.  This kind of language isn’t for me/… Read full post »

In the midst of radiation treatment my home was like grand central station with visitors coming and going all day long. I needed the help and the company, and was grateful to have people stopping by.

But for some patients, having visitors isn’t as easy or welcomed. Many folks… Read full post »

Was it because I was twenty-seven, a woman, or both that my doctors doubted my capacity to participate in serious dialogue about my cancer? They presented me with only the thinnest shreds of pre-digested information about my care. I played a constant charade to glean from them answers… Read full post »

If you’re new to my blog – welcome.  If you’ve been here a while, it’s you and your comments that encourage thousands of patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses to follow regularly.  With 270 posts, there’s a ton of info. and resources.  So here&#8217… Read full post »

I’ve long been afraid of medication, even over-the-counter meds.  Since way before my cancer diagnosis, I was scared of what the side effects could do.  I opted for just feeling my pain or taking natural remedies instead.  But having cancer changed some of that for me.

I used to not… Read full post »

Calling all young adult cancer yinzers.  Join me, along with Charissa Hamilton-Gribenas, founder of BRICKS for Young Adults, for an evening of coffee and conversation.  Momentum is growing among the young adult cancer community in Pittsburgh. This will be a chance to hang out in a casual,/… Read full post »

Kim, a thyroid cancer patient, responded to my last week’s post about tips for handling family during illness:

“I think I might be the only person in the world who hasn’t told her own parents about her cancer diagnosis.  :P  From growing up, I know that my parents, esp my… Read full post »