Category Archives: Life After Cancer

my dog ate my GI cancer risk evaluation forms

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Emily

LATE AFTERNOON (5:15 PM) One of my old friends from high school made a very funny observation the other day on Facebook: “I think people say something is a “perfect storm” when what they really mean is that it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Family, Life After Cancer | Tagged 20 foot alien zombie, Facebook, family medical history, forms, genetic testing, GI cancer, Grim Reaper, HNPCC, Paleozoic Era, puppy-dog eyes, shitstorm, survivors, ticking time bomb | 1 Comment

turn on the quiet (or, not so fast, mr. vacuum)

Posted on December 6, 2009 by Emily

Sunday, 11:30 AM: It’s an extremely cool thing to be married to someone who, at critical moments, knows me better than I know myself. I have this thing since cancer: I really like being busy. Running around. Doing stuff. Multi-tasking. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Life After Cancer, running, Uncategorized | Tagged 10K, bongo, cancerversary, cannoli, chores, Collingswood, green tea, guitar, holidays, jam session, Nike-plus, Nor'easter, piano, Poma-poo, PTSD, Pumas, real estate, running, tambourine, vacuum | 1 Comment

f*#% you very much, cancer

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Emily

Thanks to global warming, this December 3 – my own personal designated cancer D-Day – feels nothing like the corresponding day two years ago when I realized I was facing a battle with this truly mean-spirited disease. Hence, no weather-triggered … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Life After Cancer, Philadelphia, running | Tagged cancerversary, gin and tonic, jam session, neuropathy, Philadelphia Runner, PTSD, Puma, recurrence, running, upright piano | 2 Comments

a courageous front

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Emily

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 →

Posted in cancer, Life After Cancer, Writing | Tagged Afghanistan, anniversary, cheap red wine, D-Day, diagnosis, fear, isolation, Obama, Pied Piper, recurrence, The Beatles, toilet, whiplash | Leave a comment

thankful

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Emily

This year, as the Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, it is essential to stop and actually “give thanks.” It is the eve of the anniversary of my diagnosis. Today is even my “MRI-iversary” – marking the date which, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Life After Cancer | Tagged anniversary, depression, diagnosis, MRI, Oscar, survivor, Thanksgiving, turkey, window boxes | 5 Comments

finally one of the cool kids (and all it took was a little bit of cancer)

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Emily

This past week I found myself feeling, well, off. My last post explains pretty plainly why this now-rare storm could of ill feelings settled over me. During the nine years that I have worked in child welfare, I have – … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Life After Cancer, Work | Tagged black boots, booty-shaking, child welfare, Courtroom K, Dan Barry, diagnosis-versary, Double-Oh-Seven, First Descents, Fridge, Hottie Bucks, magic, survivors, winter | Leave a comment

there’s something wrong with this picture

Posted on November 10, 2009 by Emily

Panic – mild and fleeting, but noticeable nonetheless – paid me an unexpected visit early this afternoon. This seemingly unshakable feeling of optimism and positivity has cloaked me for months now. I have felt invincible, buoyant. It’s been amazing. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer, Work | Tagged cancer, child abuse, child welfare, children, cornflakes, injustice, panic, time, Work | Leave a comment

honoring it all

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Emily

Last night, over margaritas and enchiladas, I said to my husband, “I feel so good. Is there something wrong with me?” Working his way through his flight of tequila, he smiled and said, “Maybe it has to do with being … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Life After Cancer | Tagged Alli, anger, bloodwork, calm, check-ups, CVS, dog park, enchiladas, end-stage, First Descents, Fridge, Grim Reaper, Jackson, Lucy, margaritas, Mike, optimism, ovarian cancer, pelvic exams, Planet Cancer, strength, tequila | 2 Comments

on becoming a cancer fairy godmother

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Emily

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 →

Posted in Baseball, cancer, Life After Cancer | Tagged cancer, daylight savings, diagnosis, fairy godmother, fear, First Descents, Imerman Angels, Phillies, recurrence, uncertainty, Zen-like, Zoloft | Leave a comment

the unfolding

Posted on October 25, 2009 by Emily

Aiming for a snapshot of the weekend, hoping to convey some measure of the love and energy which First Descents generates, I’ll start right here – me and Flippy Floppy, after the Alan Goldberg Walk for Life in the far … Continue reading →

Posted in Life After Cancer | Tagged Alan Goldberg Walk for Life, Arlington Cinema and Draft House, First Descents, Flippy Floppy, Huggle Bumps, Kate, Rock Creek Park, Wayne Art Center | 1 Comment