Often, cancer events are geared toward a specific diagnosis, such as colorectal or breast. Whenever an opportunity presents itself to attract a broad cancer audience, we get excited about the impact it could have on our survivor community.  Shine for Women is such an opportunity, and survivors are encouraged to join us for this weekend’s activities!

Every time we turn around we hear about the effects of stress on our bodies, both physically and emotionally.

The experience of grief is often associated with death; however, grief can also be caused by other types of loss.  

Holidays can be stressful under the best of circumstances.  With all the traveling, visiting, cleaning, planning, decorating, shopping and cooking, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and tired.  When cancer treatment or side effects from past treatment are added to the mix, normal holiday stress can easily become overwhelming and at times unbearable.  

How we begin the day directly impacts how we complete the day. This is why morning rituals - not the routines that we stumble through to start the day - but true rituals are a keystone for emotional wellness.

 

It’s that time of year!  To avoid the stress of the season we encourage you to make a list and check it twice.

I heard a survivor of brain cancer comment that hearing you have cancer is frightening but hearing you have brain cancer is paralyzing. After hearing his comment, the universal reaction I receive when I talk about my work with brain cancer survivors came to mind.  There is an overwhelming fear of the potential of brain tumors and what it means for life moving forward, so I decided to blog about some of the challenges of brain tumors and how we can better support those living with this diagnosis.  

As we enter into October surrounded by the color pink in honor and support of breast cancer survivors, we’re encouraged to participate in three highly celebrated walks: Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure, The Avon Walk, and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. 

What is the haze? It is the fog that lies heavily upon a survivor and a survivors’ family when cancer rains upon their lives. It often comes unexpectedly but always leaves behind a fine mist of disbelief and uncertainty. It clings to things once thought simple and effortless. It is evidenced in the hesitancy to make plans for vacations and holidays and when we make commitments, socially or professionally. It even emerges as we manage the once routine chores of our day or week. This is the haze. 

Throughout one’s life, stress plays a role that can directly affect your overall well-being. The circumstances that cause stress can be positive or negative, but the response doesn’t necessarily differentiate between the two in regard to how stress manifests in your body.