Everyone knows I have breast cancer, right?  This means that I sort of have to talk about the breast(s) and related issues, which is weird because my dad, and my uncles, and even my 90-year-old grandfather read this blog.  However, nothing makes breasts more clinical than cancer and mastectomies.  I just have to acknowledge that it’s slightly uncomfortable....

We’re back from vacation. And I have a PET scan tomorrow.  (A PET scan is a whole-body scan that detects cancer.) And that’s what you call a jarring jump back to reality.  I’m switching gears.  And yet, not really.  I love my life on vacation, but I also love my everyday regular life.  Cancer appointments have become part of my regular life, and I...

I turned 33 today. I remember random things about random birthdays over the years. All of my birthday memories are happy ones. I am so blessed. My earliest birthday memories are of opening gifts early in the morning. I loved that my parents let us open gifts first.thing.in.the.morning. Later in life I was horrified to learn that not all families operate this way. I...

We are on vacation. I love vacation. (Really, what’s not to love?) Our original vacation plans to visit family for the year were cancelled due to my cancer treatment. (We will reschedule that trip when my mom and I are both cancer-free.) I’m taking the stance that the increased anticipation will make it even sweeter. The timing of this trip was dictated...

Today (Thursday), at one day post-chemo, I am giving my first talk that is focused on breast cancer.  I am a survivor.  (Which is totally strange to write, by the way.) Ohio schools started an event a couple of years ago (one of the founding players coincidentally goes to my church) called Volley for the Cure.  What started as a breast cancer fundraiser during one...