You never think it will be you. You go about your days making plans, imagining futures, dreaming ordinary dreams. Life feels steady, predictable. And then it isn’t. One phone call. One scan. One… Continue reading
In 1948, two French scientists noticed something unexpected in their lab samples: fragments of DNA drifting in blood plasma. At the time, the discovery seemed trivial, even puzzling. DNA, after all, was supposed… Continue reading
You’ve likely heard people talk about “chemo brain”—or maybe you’ve even felt it yourself. It’s that foggy sensation that can make it tough to find the right word, recall a friend’s name, or… Continue reading
So few grains of happiness measured against all the dark and still the scales balance. – Jane Hirshfield “The Weighing” I’ve been reflecting on these lines from Jane Hirshfield’s poem The Weighing and how its… Continue reading
In many cultures, greetings are often seen as polite and routine exchanges. However, in some Muslim cultures, there exists a profound dimension to these everyday interactions. When someone asks, “How are you?” in… Continue reading
I discovered that today, September 16th is ‘Tattoo Story Day’. While I am not sure if this is a day that’s universally marked, it gives me the prompt I need to tell the… Continue reading
Checking my August Awareness Day Calendar, I discovered that today, August 30th is designated as Grief Awareness Day. Sometimes I feel we are awash with grief in our community. Not just in our… Continue reading
Are you looking for a new job after cancer treatment? Perhaps you left your last employment after your diagnosis, or maybe you are still in your current job but want a fresh start… Continue reading
“In a society which is much more inclined to help you hide your pain rather than to grow through it, is necessary to make a very conscious effort to mourn.” – Henri Nouwen Grief… Continue reading
T for this week’s round-up of the best of the blog posts which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which I’ve wanted to share with you. Don’t forget if you have written a post which you would like readers to see, just […]
The Thing Is to love life, to love it evenwhen you have no stomach for itand everything you’ve held dearcrumbles like burnt paper in your hands,your throat filled with the silt of it.When… Continue reading
The Butterfly Effect For Marie Ennis O’Connor So close and still Quietly far away From the company Who chose you The day you heard The word we all Heard. Echoes In a canyon… Continue reading
26 posts. 26 days. 26 letters of the alphabet, one blog post beginning with each letter. H is for Hair I started this blog a few years after my breast cancer diagnosis and… Continue reading
For many cancer patients undergoing mastectomies, reconstructive breast surgery can seem like a first step to reclaiming their bodies. An article which appeared last December in the New York Times states that “Even as… Continue reading
Good news for those of us hoping to see an improvement in the holistic care of cancer patients in Ireland. DCU’s School of Nursing have launched Ireland’s first degree in psycho-oncology, Graduate Diploma/MSc in Psycho-oncology.… Continue reading
Cancer surgery is tricky because you don’t want to miss any cancer, but you also don’t want to cut healthy tissue. Now doctors are testing a new technique that uses a safe chemical… Continue reading
Recently I attended the Irish Cancer Society Cancer Support Conference where the key-note address was given by inspirational speaker, Chris Moon. Chris, who is a double amputee and former army officer discussed the best way… Continue reading
A particularly fast-growing form of breast cancer should be treated aggressively after surgery even when tumors are very small, according to recent research that could dramatically alter treatment for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The… Continue reading
AN IRISH scientist has published groundbreaking research that could offer new hope in the efforts to develop an effective treatment for cancer. Dr Catherine Hogan, who is originally from Co Cork, has been… Continue reading
I came across the following UK survey which supports what I have been saying about the post treatment period of cancer and echoes the experience of cancer survivors in Ireland too. People living with… Continue reading
Physically fit women are less likely to die from breast cancer, according to a study by researchers at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health. The findings are published in… Continue reading
Removing large margins of surrounding healthy tissue when operating on a breast tumour is not of benefit, according to new analysis carried out by Dublin-based researchers. Recent decades have seen a move towards… Continue reading
Today I had my annual check up at St Lukes’ Hospital. I always feel apprehensive when I enter the doors of the hospital, sit in the waiting area and finally sit on that hospital bed, waiting… Continue reading
