An honest telling of hope, faith, and perseverance in surviving cancer
Recent Posts
The Appointment Process
After diagnosis, it’s hard to parse through the feelings of fog and fear and focus on what’s next. And honestly, sometimes you don’t even feel like thinking… Read more “The Appointment Process”
Radiation Treatment: Who’s on your care team?
It’s not surprising that a lot goes on behind the scenes of radiation therapy, and it’s definitely not surprising to you that there are many different people… Read more “Radiation Treatment: Who’s on your care team?”
Grave thoughts
It was ironic, really That she dug the very grave she would lay them to rest in. They had trampled her with the weight of an elephant… Read more “Grave thoughts”
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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