My dream was for every patient to get free personalized exercise training and support. With hope of making a real difference now, I’d set the bar low: Write something that motivated patients to walk at least 10 minutes twice a day while in cancer treatment. The challenge was….
Read morePlease Don't Tell Me You Could Die, Too
When I was ill, sometimes friends tried calming my fears about my uncertain future by saying, Life is uncertain for all of us. I could get hit by a Mack truck. Offered from a place of caring, that comment may have helped other patients but only made me feel more alone.
Read moreTurning off the News
Knowledge is power. Unfortunately, the power of knowing something may be to make life more difficult. For example, keeping up with the news may erode the emotional resilience needed to deal with medical challenges.
Read morePersonal Note
This blog is designed to share a physician-survivor’s perspective on getting good care and living as fully as possible while dealing with a health challenge. When I share personal stories of my successess and failures, it’s not for you to learn about me. My aim is to encourage you to think about your own challenges in ways that help you find the best path for you to make your life the best it can be.
Today, I’m making an exception by posting a personal update.
Read moreTen-Minute Blech Sessions
At times, my emotions get stirred up over something trivial. When I’m overreacting, I tell myself, Wait! This is not a big deal. Often that’s enough for the wave of emotion to break and for me to regain my emotional footing. When such emotions don’t abate, instead of fighting them or trying to suppress them, I find a safe place for a time-limited blech session. As the title emphasizes: Ten minutes, at most.
Read moreJournalism versus Churnalism
Healthy Survivors are adept at distinguishing journalism and churnalism.
Read morePatients Don't Fail
The patient had done everything right. Yet the surgeon told her, “You failed out-patient antibioics. Now you need to be admitted to the hospital.”
Read moreTime Toxicity
When looking at risks/benefits of treatments, time toxicity is the newest kid on the block. This refers to
Read moreHealing Wishes
Reality-based hope lies at the heart of Healthy Survivorship—i.e., obtaining good medical care and living as fully as possible. How might wishing—namely, wanting something unattainable—possibly help?
Read moreCancer Privilege Guilt
Since Debbie Legault’s 27-year-old daughter developed cancer, the loving mother has dealt with a host of unpleasant emotions. One didn’t have a name, so Debbie coined a term:
Read moreDoctor Hides Cancer Diagnosis
A renowned oncologist kept her breast cancer secret from everyone. Why? How?
Read moreClichés of Compassion
In your effort to comfort someone, you may unwittingly cause distress saying what seems like the right thing. Of the many possible scenarios, a common one is
Read morePublic Versus Patient Personas
How different (if at all) is your “patient persona” from your public persona—the facade you use in public settings? At doctor visits are you
Read moreYour Public Persona and Healthy Survivorship
Preserving your public persona could cost you your health—or even your life!
Read moreNew Year's Resolution
While others are making (and breaking) New Year’s resolutions, I’m experimenting with a new tack:
Read moreSeeking the Persistence High
runner Danielle Friedman discusses the health benefits of going for “finish” instead of “gold.” Two nuggests of wisdom about surviving illness:
Read moreKeeping Pain Secret to Protect Loved Ones
Should patients in pain suffer silently to protect their loved ones? Or is hiding pain selfish because it deprives loved ones the opportunity to help, offer comfort, or at least know what’s going on?
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