When dealing with a health challenge, doing things perfectly will increase your chance of the best possible outcome. For anyone who likes to feel in control (who doesn’t?) and has perfectionist tendencies (ahem, that would include me), the desire to do things perfectly can create problems.
Read moreHealing Power of Mutually Understood Phrases
Agreed-on words or phrases have been lifesavers for me and the people close to me. While dealing with my ongoing health challenges, I began answering the question, “How are you?” with a short phrase that helps us take care of each other’s needs.
Read moreSteps to Take If Your Illness Causes Pain
My June 19th post discussed a common conundrum for patients: Should they suffer silently to protect their loved ones? Or does hiding pain selfishly deprive loved ones the opportunity to help, offer comfort, or at least know what’s going on?
Read moreThe Hope of a Cancer Walk
It's easy to forget the real meaning of a cancer walk. I'm breaking my 250-word-limit rule to share the 704-word speech I delivered yesterday at the start of the 5K Dallas Lymphoma Walk
Read moreA Risk of Empowering Patients--Part II
Not all patients embrace the idea of patient empowerment. In particular, some patients don't want to be actively involved in their treatment decisions. Others don't want to hear lists of things they should be doing to optimize their outcome. Why?
Read moreWeb-based App May Help Improve Survival
What if an app could help improve (1) patients' survival, (2) patients' quality of life and (3) the cost effectiveness of cancer care?
Read moreThe Hope of Something New
Do you want to feel hopeful? If so, check out the Something New (SN) site. of Bonnie Pitman.
Read moreAccepting Uncertainty
"Doctor, will my illness return?" If the answer is "maybe," the uncertainty can cause suffering in patients who are doing well now. Since you can't live as fully as possible (the second criteria of Healthy Survivorship) if you are overly anxious, let's talk about how to accept the uncertainty, both intellectually and emotionally.
Read moreHope and the Desire for Certainty
My blog posts on The Riddle of Hope hint at the complexity of hope. To address hope and the desire for certainty, let's explore further the story of Esther and Dan Levy, parents who gave up hope of their son's recovery (When Do You Give Up on Treating a Child).
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