Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

Giving Thanks

Kairol Rosenthal recently blogged about thanking people who provide help. For Healthy Survivors, what is the "right" way?

Opening Remarks

On Saturday April 25th, I was honored to deliver the opening remarks before the start of the 2009 5K Dallas Lymphomathon This is what I said:

Words that Hurt and Heal

Words can bring Healthy Survivors together or tear us apart. One person posted on a listserv a short piece of writing that touched her deeply. While some readers then posted thanks, others criticized the prose as offensive.

In Long Drive to "Cure" Cancer

Today's NYTimes story about the "Drive to Cure Cancer" highights the word "cure," a term that bothers many Healthy Survivors.

Free Legal Advice

One of the many advantages of speaking at survivor events is the opportunity for me to meet inspiring, wholesome, generous, bright, talented, hardworking people who are making their little corner of the world a better place.

Friends and Family Coupon

And now a word from Caroline Hawkins, marketing associate of the American College of Physicians:

MichiganTurn

I just returned from a three-day trip to Grand Rapids, where I delivered two keynotes and was introduced to a "Michigan Turn," also known as a "Michigan Left."

Spiritual Beings

People often describe a brush with death or the diagnosis of a life-altering illness or injury as the event that set them on a spiritual journey. An attendee to my keynote address last night suggested a different perspective.

I Dreamed a Dream

Two days ago I twittered about a video that was spreading like wildfire in cyberspace. I am more than happy to fan the flames. As often happens with popular videos, it has hopeful messages for Healthy Survivors.

Obligation to Hope

How much do you owe your loved ones who are sick, injured or debilitated in some way? This question is not as straightforward as it seems. So I'm going to discuss it in bits and pieces, under this circumstance or that, as regards this particular thing or that. I'll begin by discussing your obligation to hope for improvement. 

Debit card scam

After a week of computer hassles, I decide to take an hour of "me time" at Macy's. I'm hoping to leave all seriousness behind, which is why, at first I don't want to hear what a doctor has to say.

Throwaway Goods

Americans living in the 19th century would be shocked by what today's Americans throw away. Shoe heel worn down? Throw away the pair. Clothes dryer broken and the warranty has expired? Drag it to the curb, and buy a new one. What does this mean for Healthy Survivors?

Amazon Goof

The Amazon site "went live" for my new book: Only 10 Seconds to Care has been released! As soon as I got the e-notification from my publisher, I checked the Amazon site -- one of my "favorites," of course -- and what do I see? Oh, no! You are kidding, right?

Now, smile!

Today's Science Times has a story about a radiologist that makes me smile. Why? Because it reminds me of how, at a certain point in my evaluation, I'd ask the patient across my desk to smile.

Best-ever Bday Gift

What is the best birthday gift you've ever given to a friend? My answer is easy.

Doctor/Patient Advocate

You could hear a pin drop throughout my presentation to to the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Diseases. That could mean only one thing: