Go Ahead (and ask me if I smoked) … Make My Day
There’s a lot of talk amongst lung cancer survivors about the stigma of having lung cancer. Many lung cancer survivors resent it when people ask them, “Did you smoke?” But, I feel differently. Go ahead and ask me. Why? Because…
Please Join us for the Breathe Ride at Bay Club Santa Clara, October 18!
I am SO excited to announce this event! As many of you know, I taught indoor cycle classes for many years prior to getting sick. When my fitness family found out about my diagnosis, they showed up big time. I’ve…
In Loving Memory of Erin Williams Hyman
Last week I lost my longest-held friend. Erin and I met on the first day of 7th grade. We were assigned to the same table in Mr. Naka’s science class and remained lab partners all year. We bonded that year…
Young and Diagnosed with Lung Cancer
A few months ago I met Arash & Molly Golbon. Molly and I have a lot in common. We are both about the same age, we both have two kids, we both live in the same area. We’re both never-smokers….
Watch Us on Breathe California TV! Episode #1 Now Online
[Post by Eric] Lisa and I recorded two television interviews for Breathe California‘a television show, moderated by Terry Trumbell. The show airs on San Jose/Campbell Comcast channel 15. The first episode aired already on August 21 and 28. You can…
A Dollar for Your Thoughts
Fifty years ago, in 1964, my Dad graduated from UC Berkeley (aka “Cal”). Upon graduation, he made a pledge with his three buddies before they scattered around the globe. They tore up a dollar bill into four pieces. Each guy…
“That’s My Cancer Smelling Dog” and Other Things Not to Say
Cancer, it seems, lends itself to awkward conversations. People don’t know what to say to me. Rest assured that I assume we all mean well, even when we say something stupid. If you worry that you might have uttered something…
Open Letter to My Mom on Mother’s Day
Mom, you have thrown yourself into your role as mother with unrestrained dedication since the beginning. You schlepped me to more activities than I can count, rooted me on in every event, proofread homework and hand-sewed Halloween costumes. You still,…
Playing the Cancer Card, Another Hidden Perk of Having a Life-Threatening Disease
A couple months ago, my friend Erin told me that when her husband had Hodgkin’s and they needed an excuse to get out of something, they’d invoke what they called “the Hodgy card.” Forget to bring something to a potluck,…
The Language of Cancer
I’ve had so much support coming from all corners since my diagnosis. It’s staggering, a little surprising, and deeply reassuring about the amount of goodness in the world. I appreciate every ounce of it. But. There’s always a “but,” isn’t…
