An honest telling of hope, faith, and perseverance in surviving cancer
Recent Posts
Treatment’s Over…What now?
This period, often called “the lull” is BY FAR the hardest period of time you will experience in comparison to all the others. It’s the time immediately… Read more “Treatment’s Over…What now?”
Onward and Upward
At each phase of this journey, I have had to remind myself to look back at where I’ve been so I can better focus on where I’m… Read more “Onward and Upward”
Tips for Choosing Your Oncologists
Choosing the team of physicians that will care for you during your treatments and follow-up can be a hard decision. You are likely still processing your diagnosis… Read more “Tips for Choosing Your Oncologists”
Who’s Glanda?
I knew her 1st as a little nodule under my ear by my jaw that was just tender enough to be somewhat bothersome. I noticed her one afternoon after I had gotten my very first filling, and I can’t say she’s left my side since..until now.
7 years later in May 2017, she was finally diagnosed as a pleomorphic adenoma of my left parotid gland (which is how she got the name Glanda) after many scans, biopsies, and doctors reviewing my case. We soon chased a second opinion to make sure, scheduled surgery, and at the sight of a scalpel, Glanda pulled some power ranger junk and morphed into a mighty morphing chunk of cancer. Jerk.
So, now Glanda has taken on her final identity…adenoid cystic carcinoma and she has been laid to rest making her Goneda. From here on out, we’re under heavy surveillance, a few scans and checkups here and there, and a lot of thankfulness alongside faith and trust in Jesus that we’ve made it here and we’re going to be jusssssttt fine. Praise the Lord!
Radiation Education
What if you had an inside eye into radiation therapy before it happened? What if you knew some simple tips and tricks that might lift the burden a bit as you walk through daily radiation treatments at each stage of the process from someone who’s actually been through it?
With my experience as a cancer patient (and now survivor) along with my role in the clinical research office of UAB’s Department of Radiation Oncology, I feel I have a unique perspective as an employee and as a patient that I want to share with you.
This section is solely dedicated to educating those of you facing new cancer diagnosis with planned radiation therapy ahead of you.
The Road to Radiation Oncology
It’s true. The same department that I received radiation treatment for my cancer in is the same department where I am also an employee.
Curious how an English major ended up working at UAB in the Department of Radiation Oncology with only a few years of web experience on her rèsumè? So was I. Now I know.
Along Comes Hope Flower Farm
One of the most pivotal moments in my healing and survivorship thus far was walking as a cancer survivor model in Holly Chapple’s Flora and Fauna Fashion show at Hope Flower Farm.
The event took place on May 2, 2018 and was an extension of a Chapel Designers Workshop with master teachers including Gregor Lersch, Francoise Weeks, Hitomi Gilliam, Susan Mcleary, Alison Ellis and, of course, Holly Chapple.
The event was truly beautiful display of hope, creativity, and the strength of those of us who walk this treacherous. An event I was honored to be a part of and will remember for the rest of my life.
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