Category Archives: fellow fighters

PERFECTION, or WHAT IS HARD

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Emily

Last weekend, at the First Descents Climb-a-Thon, our belayer was, quite unexpectedly, a 14-year-old boy.  When the day began, I formed a climbing group with another cancer survivor, her brother and his girlfriend.  I liked them immediately.  There was a … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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third time’s the charm: first descents, montana, july 2011

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Emily

They say the third time’s the charm.  But how can I possibly measure my most recent trip to the divine land of First Descents love and laughter against my previous sojourns?  It’s simply not appropriate.  So maybe all I can … Continue reading →

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believed, seen: a dream comes true

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Emily

When a dream comes true after cancer, it carries a certain extra heft.  It need not be a dream of life-altering magnitude, like having a child.  It can be something much smaller, even seemingly trivial, like getting up close with … Continue reading →

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levon helm + cancer: an all-ages show

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Emily

It’s safe to say that an aging rock musician, whose arguable heyday was thirty-five years ago, doesn’t have much interest in being a cancer crusader.  Old people are “supposed” to get cancer, especially after a lifetime of hard living and … Continue reading →

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fight club

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Emily

It’s no accident that I haven’t written since my ovarian sister Sarah Feather passed away last month.  I see now how she served as some kind of reference point for me, as if every time I sent my words out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, fellow fighters, running, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments