ROS1 People Unite — Power to the Patients!
In my last blog post I mentioned how difficult I find it to live with the uncertainty, knowing that there’s no obvious post-Xalkori treatment available for me, yet. Predictably, I received several messages from others in the lung cancer community…
I See You, Dad — An Open Letter to My Dad on Father’s Day
Here’s how I knew this lung cancer thing was real. I was in the hospital. I’d had my biopsy and diagnosis the day before. Upon hearing the news, my parents had flown up and had been in my room all…
On Psycho-Oncology Departments & Parachuting into Guerrilla Wars
A few months ago, when I was in the midst of a particularly difficult stretch, my oncologist referred me for a consult with the “psycho-oncology” department. When the doctor mentioned this, I was completely taken aback. “There’s such a thing…
The Lung Cancer Blame Game – How People Blame the Patients and Patients Blame Themselves
Lung cancer patients regularly bemoan the question that plagues us. The, “did you smoke?” question. There is simply no getting around it. It’s the number one thing people ask when you share your lung cancer diagnosis. (See here for more…
Gail Schlachter, My Mother-in-law, Remembered
A couple of weeks ago, my mother-in-law Gail Schlachter passed away. Our family, already burdened with my illness, has been reeling from this unexpected loss. The other day Jacob, who was particularly close with his Grandma Gail, caved under the…
This & That — A Letter to My Mom Book, Team Lisa Update & Clinical Trial Innovation Contest
Here are a few odds and ends that don’t quite amount to their own blog posts, but I still want to share, so I’ve smushed them all together here: (1) A Letter to My Mom — This is the coolest…
Fractured Medical Care: A Rant Constructive Criticism from a Patient Who Cares
I am incredibly lucky to have good health insurance and live in an area that offers first-rate medical care. These are both privileges many do not share and I don’t take either for granted. But, it’s in my nature to…
It’s Gettin’ Real in the Canned Goods Aisle
People seemed to really respond to my last blog post. Which isn’t that huge of a surprise, since I basically just ripped off that famous quote, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about,”…
Mourning the Loss of Paul Kalanithi
When I was first diagnosed, it was quite a fire drill. My biopsy was supposed to be an easy outpatient procedure, an hour, maybe two, tops. Instead, I didn’t set foot outside of the hospital for a week. I woke…
Of Constipated Parrots and Brain MRIs
Last week I had an appointment with my oncologist. She reviewed my lab tests and we discussed my current side effects and symptoms. At each visit, she’s evaluating a variety of things, including my brain function and whether it warrants…
