writing
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Let’s Talk About Altruism
Altruism is defined as the unselfish concern for the well-being and happiness of others, often resulting in behaviors that benefit someone else at a personal cost. The word is derived from the French autrui, meaning “other people.” Altruism is characterized by actions such as volunteering, donating, or making sacrifices to help those in need. Behavioral… Continue reading
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Cardiotoxic
“Are you ready for me to give you your shot?” Kyle, my infusion nurse for the week, stood in the doorway of the cramped infusion room where I sat reclined, staring somewhere between the ceiling tiles and my own uncertain future. “Let’s do it,” I said, pushing my reclined chair upright. “I think this one… Continue reading
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2026
I always looked forward to the New Year. It felt like a clean reset, a chance to begin again, to set fresh goals, to believe in infinite possibility.Now it’s 2026, and I can’t say it feels the same. I’m grateful to be here, truly, but the familiar spark is muted. The enthusiasm doesn’t arrive as… Continue reading
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Another Christmas
There are moments when you realize life will never return to what it once was. The moment itself is brief, almost unremarkable, but the awareness stretches far beyond it, settling in and refusing to leave. I don’t pretend to understand life. I move through it the only way I know how, by following the rhythm… Continue reading
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The Art Project
“Would you be interested in an art project today?” The woman approached my recliner just as the infusion bag emptied and the final flush began to drip. Her name tag identified her as a volunteer. She carried a clear tote filled with tiny craft supplies: small cotton balls, glitter, ribbon. She held up the finished… Continue reading
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Red Electrical Outlet
“Do you know what the orange electrical outlet stands for?” “I have no idea…though that looks more red than orange, don’t you think?” I replied to my husband as we sat in the doctor’s office waiting on the results of my latest labs. “There’s a red switch too. Let’s find out,” he said, already pulling… Continue reading
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Third Day
Day 3 has been the toughest. I sit here typing, shivering beneath a multicolored yarn blanket my mom knitted many years ago. My husband is in the far corner of the room, laptop open, headphones on…..present, steady, in his own quiet lane. I kept my routine nutrition plan and completed my 45-minute outdoor workout. I… Continue reading
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First Day of Chemotherapy
It was a good day…..better than I expected. We made the 30-minute drive to the cancer center and checked in about three minutes late. Within moments, they had me back for vitals and then guided me to the infusion area. I was assigned a nurse and asked to take a seat in a comfortable recliner.… Continue reading
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Max Heart Rate
If I’m going to put myself through treatment, I might as well make it worthwhile. I decided early on that if my experience can help someone else in the future, then I’ll gladly contribute. So, I volunteered as a test subject, agreeing to follow a prescribed workout regimen throughout treatment and undergo periodic physiological testing… Continue reading
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Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Despite everything, I’m still here feeling grateful. I believe I’ll be ok…but I’m also learning to make peace with the possibility that things may not always go that way, and, well……. that’s part of the journey too. Today my mind wandered to memories I didn’t expect. Just a year ago, we brought… Continue reading
Journaling was Recommended 