Category Archives: Life After Cancer

our island, at last

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Emily

Summer’s final act has brought unexpected joy, and a chance to reflect. One day last week, it dawned on me: summer is ending, and Earl hasn’t seen the ocean.  I realized further: we hadn’t visited Long Beach Island since before … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Life After Cancer, Vacation | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

the other shoe

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Emily

We survivors possess many unique skills.  Chief among them may be our ability to consciously deny our persistent, nagging fear of The Other Shoe Dropping.  It’s essential, if we want to keep on living in any meaningful, joyful way. Most … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Family, Life After Cancer, medicine | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

burning doubt – lessons from a yoga mala

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Emily

At 5:30 this morning, I offered up all of my doubt to the forces of balance and harmony in the universe.  Then, along with about 10 other women, I performed 108 sun salutations – a yoga mala to mark the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Life After Cancer, Philadelphia, Work, yoga | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

this is why we write

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Emily

Recently, a lovely young woman who just completed treatment for her advanced ovarian cancer told me that reading my blog was “the first time she felt hope.”  She offered these words so honestly, with such straight-forwardness; I was quite taken … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, fellow fighters, First Descents, Life After Cancer, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

no time to waste

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Emily

Four years ago, during a heatwave not unlike the one we are now experiencing, I lay confined in the partially air-conditioned recesses of our rented home in Northern Liberties, hanging on to the edges of the life with which four … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Family, Life After Cancer, Philadelphia, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

lucky me?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Emily

Many weeks ago, as I walked the neighborhood with my new baby snuggled in his Moby wrap, a woman coming out of her car stopped us with a smile.  She peered in at Earl’s tiny face. “What a beautiful baby,” … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, fellow fighters, Life After Cancer | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

invisible touch

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Emily

In an unexpected twist of fate, the presence of these writings in the public space of the Internet has revealed deep and difficult connections between my status as a cancer survivor and an adoptive mother.  I owe this in large … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, fellow fighters, Infertility, Life After Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

a complicated miracle: parents at last

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Emily

Yesterday, a young woman reached out to me on this neglected blog, and shared a glimpse of her own cancer journey.  She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last fall at age 25, and is currently battling the post-treatment demons that … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, fellow fighters, Infertility, Life After Cancer, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

four years: a parade of awe

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Emily

Something is changing.  Perhaps it is simply that the passage of time breeds perspective.  But something must be owed to hard work and hopefulness, and the steadfastness of friends and family.  This past Tuesday marked four years since the beginning … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Life After Cancer, running, yoga | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

early thanksgiving

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Emily

My original thought last evening, after rocking out insanely for 13.1 miles, was to simply offer a post of thanks for all of the incredible artists – some of whom I’ve loved for my whole life, some of whom are … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Life After Cancer, music, Philadelphia, running | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment