Category Archives: adoption

CANCERCON 2017: WHY WE COME BACK

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Emily

My state of mind coming to Denver to speak as part of a young adult cancer conference was primarily one of perplexed amusement. When did I become a “leading expert” on adopting after cancer? I am simply one person with … Continue reading →

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the only safe place in the world

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Emily

There will come a time when my son isn’t waking up each night, stumbling towards mommy or daddy, and whimpering that we climb in bed with him to get him back to sleep. Invariably, one of us ends up spending … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Life After Cancer | Leave a comment

STAYING ALIVE

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Emily

We are hurtling toward the Christmas holiday; Hanukkah began last night. But the sun is warming us in what feels like another extended summer. As my son grows, will he ever know the joy of a snowy winter morning? Humans … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, Death, fellow fighters, running | 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

mid-life young adult cancer crisis

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Emily

Has my license to write about cancer expired?  I’ve been thinking about the countless numbers of young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer since I entered this universe over five years ago.  I’ve mused on the lives lost, the … Continue reading →

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

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

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