Category Archives: Work

MOTHER COURAGE

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Emily

The last few weeks have been a veritable flurry of activity on the “what the hell am I going to do with the rest of my life” front. Something has clicked over in me recently, as I’ve realized that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, Work | Leave a comment

cancer ate my feminism (or did it?)

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Emily

Last month, I had the good fortune to finally meet a remarkable fellow cancer fighter (and writer) with whom I’ve had a years-long virtual relationship.   As has happened many times before, when these virtual connections become “real,” I was struck … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, fellow fighters, politics, Work | Tagged , | 1 Comment

reclaiming complexity

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Emily

Many months ago, around the time of my son’s first birthday, I was prompted by a friend to reflect on my decision to leave my job as a child advocate attorney to become a stay-at-home mother.  I shared my thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Family, Life After Cancer, Work | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

not yet

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Emily

I’ve reached the point where I have a stock reply when people ask if I have children:  “Not yet.”  It’s simple, straightforward and conveys my intention to be a parent.  Most people who ask me don’t know about my cancer … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, fellow fighters, Infertility, Life After Cancer, Work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

flat as a pancake

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Emily

Hard truth:  even after weathering a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery – after achieving the kind of semi-permanent euphoria that comes with embracing life after almost dying – it’s possible to find yourself drained, beat-down and discouraged.  Nay, depressed.  It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Baseball, Life After Cancer, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

baby steps

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Emily

 My inclination at the moment is to stack up today’s minor emotional setback against the nightmares that so many other fighters and survivors are enduring, and just let it go.  It’s almost embarrassing to admit these feelings, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Infertility, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

dreams, whiplash and pre-scope anxiety (oh my!)

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Emily

It is expected and logical that the eve of two surveillance scopes (lower and upper GI in a delicious one-two punch) would find me in a somewhat heightened state of anxiety. The psychological whiplash goes something like this: Spend an … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Death, First Descents, Life After Cancer, medicine, running, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

chocolate shakes and ’80’s pop

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Emily

A wise person once said, “You don’t have to write a thousand words every time you sit down to do a post.”  The same wise person has also said, “One of your great gifts as a writer is how direct … Continue reading →

Posted in Infertility, Life After Cancer, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments