Tag Archives: fear

moments of surrender

As it turns out, there is much more to fear in life than the onset of a life-threatening illness.  Fear of weakness, of facing limitations, of inadequacy, of conflict, of vulnerability – over the last five years, these manifestations of … Continue reading

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holding it all

Life can be extreme.  Our fears can consume us; joy can make us feel like our hearts will burst.  Holding it all, simultaneously, as I was made to do recently, can seem nothing short of defying emotional gravity. There are … Continue reading

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the other shoe

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

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

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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looks can be deceiving

There’s a funny sort of game that we play with our fellow survivors – those kickers of cancer ass with whom we share such powerful affinity.  It’s an endless back-and-forth of affirmation, of reminding one another of the strength and … Continue reading

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the RIGHT NOW! box

Last month, I visited the genetic counseling folks at Penn’s GI Practice.  I sat with a GI doctor, a genetics counselor, a genetics intern, and some other unidentified young physician.  Before I met with the lead doctor, the intern was … Continue reading

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a courageous front

Yet another day on the cancer roller-coaster, though not quite in the way I might have anticipated.  December 1:  the diagnosis anniversary is nigh.  Thursday, 12/3, is really my own personal D-Day, even though it does not signify the day … Continue reading

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on becoming a cancer fairy godmother

Last night’s brutal Phillies loss makes Friday seems about a million years ago.  Perhaps I should have made an attempt to commit that day’s thoughts to writing earlier, but now – Sunday afternoon, with time further warped due to the … Continue reading

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been there, done that

Tomorrow, my cousin’s wife will be starting chemo for breast cancer.  She was diagnosed a few months ago and has already undergone a partial mastectomy.  When I learned about her illness, I posted briefly over at my Planet Cancer page … Continue reading

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