Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

Healthy Survivorship 2010

January 1st is a new beginning. In the spirit of the New Year, I'll review the premise of Healthy Survivorship and renew my pledge to do all I can to help others become Healthy Survivors.

Wrapping Up Love

As we throw away used holiday wrapping paper, I'm reminded of a special gift.

The Joy of "Nothing"

One of the many joys of the holiday season is reading the update letters that accompany so many greeting cards. And one of the great pleasures of my letter-reading joy is a glaring-yet-appropriate omission.

The Chronic-Cancer Patient

CURE magazine editor-at-large Kathy LaTour shares her perspective on my writing in a blog post entitled The Chronic Cancer Patient -- From Someone Who Knows.

Watch and Wait

When patients with serious diseases are being cared for expectantly, they often scoff at the standard medical discriptors: "Watch and Wait" or "Wait and See." For them, a phrase that better captures the experience is "Watch and Worry" or "Worry and See," circumstances not conducive to Healthy Survivorship.

Watch and Wait

Imagine being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Now imagine being told by consulting physicians that you should not begin any treatment yet. Instead they advise you to "watch and wait." They explain that only if your disease progresses or causes other problems should you consider starting treatment.

Mid-treatment Scans

If the diagnosis has been made and you are in the middle of a course of treatment, why might your physicians order scans?

Come Off the Mountain

Guest post By Rabbi David Wolpe

Bobby Thompson hit the most famous home run in baseball history, one that spoiled the Brooklyn Dodgers remarkable pennant race. As he entered the dugout, his brother said to him, "This is the greatest moment of your life!" Immediately, he was depressed.

The Hope of "Yet"

Sometimes one little word can lift you from disappointment or even despair.

Tell Me What's Wrong, But Don't Complain.

Patients sometimes get into trouble because they don't want to complain. I'd like to suggest a simple solution.

Off to Miraval

I'm having déjà vu as I pack my bags for a four-day trip to Miraval. Just like last year, my presentation notes and jump drive with my PowerPoint are packed alongside materials for a book chapter I'll be working on during the flights. Unlike when I posted "Miracle of Miraval," 

Live Each Day As If It Is Your Last

CURE is a superb magazine. Excellent writing and graphics serve its mission. As its tagline says, "combining science with humanity, CURE makes cancer understandable." As if that weren't enough, subscriptions are free to survivors and their caregivers.

As a member of the advisory board, I recently submitted a guest blog post, entitled Mantra for a Healthy Survivor

Temporary Friends

Like many people this month, I'm reconnecting with old friends through our annual "holiday letter." One group of friends will always have a special place in my heart. Lauren Kessler* calls them "Temporary Friends."

Your Friend's Keeper?

You've survived cancer. Now a friend develops the same type of cancer and is making horrible decisions (in your opinion). She's declining conventional therapies for a treatable cancer or deciding against telling her children she is sick. What's a good friend to do?

Cancer-Colored Glasses

Okay. You were treated for cancer. It doesn't mean every medical problem thereafter is related to your history of cancer.

"Good" and "Bad" Thoughts?

When patients refer to "good" and "bad" thoughts, I often wonder exactly what they mean.