Category Archives: Life After Cancer

performing cancer

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Emily

My efforts to explain and unpack my cancer experience have always been narrative, linear.  I try to tell a story – or, lots of little stories – clearly, concisely, and in a way that people can connect with and understand. … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Film, Life After Cancer, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TWO YEARS ON: TO LIFE

Posted on June 12, 2010 by Emily

In an attempt to measure the journey of the last two years, let me try to qualify different kinds of exhaustion.  Today, I am, I admit, a bit wiped out.  Last night, in celebration of Mike’s birthday as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

up off my knees

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Emily

This morning on my run, less than ten minutes in, one of my favorite U2 songs, “PLEASE,”  came up on the shuffle.  As I strode along the now-familiar north side of Cooper River, these lyrics struck me:  “So you never … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, music, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

small steps, big love

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Emily

Last week, my wonderful friend and gardening guru, Judy, came over to our new house.  It was a saturated, sunless late afternoon, so we were limited to drinking tea, standing in the sun room and surveying the back yard.  I … Continue reading →

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increasing the happy

Posted on May 16, 2010 by Emily

There are moments – increasing in frequency and intensity – when I am amazed at the depth of my happiness.  The happiness I know now is richer, more substantial, than anything I knew before cancer.  This weekend, not unexpectedly, was … Continue reading →

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everything that rises must converge

Posted on May 8, 2010 by Emily

This phrase, from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, via Flannery O’Connor, came into my head this afternoon as I strolled through my new neighborhood and thought, as I inevitably do, about First Descents.  The words struck me hard, with precision, though … Continue reading →

Posted in First Descents, Life After Cancer, running, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

a cyborg no more (or, so long, chest port)

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Emily

This morning, I reported to the Pereleman Center at HUP to finally – almost two years after finishing chemotherapy – have my chest port removed.  This small metal disc with the rubbery center and skinny little tube has been nestled … Continue reading →

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first descents, take two: a boundless blessing

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Emily

Three days ago, I unpacked from a week in Moab, Utah with First Descents.  Tonight, I should be packing again, but instead I am sitting in my pajamas, fumbling with words.  It’s overdue.  It’s late, and I am tired. Back … Continue reading →

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they won’t go gently

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Emily

My head is in a fog of allergies, moving and other assorted chaos – both internal and external.  We are finally in our new home, and I am ecstatic.  After just the first few days, life in the swamps of … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Life After Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

the very essence of me

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Emily

You know you are a dedicated blogger when, after puking your guts out at 2 AM, you think,  “This is going to be great material for my next post.”   Welcome to my world. I will spare you the details … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, Philadelphia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments