Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

Wedding Walk

As 2010 winds down to its final hours, my husband and I are celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary by taking a short trip packed with joy and hope: We are walking our oldest child, Rebecca, down the aisle to be wed to the love of her life, Hunter.

An Answer to Evil

Amidst people who are enjoying celebrations, patients may be more prone than usual to ask, "Why Me?"

Thanksgiving 2010

Even though Thanksgiving is behind us, I thought you might enjoy reading "Thanksgiving 2010," which was published in the November 25th issue of Oncology Times.   

A Little Empathy, Please

If you're sick, you need people to empathize with you, right? Maybe not.

Patients are a Virtue

Mutual understanding helps build strong bonds, including those between clinicians and patients. How can patients learn more about the world of the clinicians who care for them? One way is by reading true stories of clinical encounters.

Right? Or Happy?

Would you rather be right or be happy?

A Healing "Best"

Healthy Survivors (1) get good care and (2) live as fully as possible. The second criteria can pose quite a challenge in the face of losses, especially if you feel you are no longer at your best. 

Beads of Courage

Jean Baruch is a remarkable nurse who understands how to help children with serious illness become Healthy Survivors.

Rare Cancer Initiatives

My recent posts are about the trouble of defining "rare cancers." The attention these cancers are now getting gives Healthy Survivors many reasons for hope.

Message to Subscribers

Oops!

I wrote two blog posts this morning, posted the first and then accidentally deleted both of them in a way that made them irretrievable. This post is to apologize to my subscribers who received an email with a broken link.

In my efforts to be a Healthy Survivor, I've dealt with my goof by 

• Releasing tension through words (I won't repeat here, in keeping with my 250-word limit)
• Forgiving myself for breaking my own writing rules, such as "Save everything."
• Recommitting to following my rules in the future.
• Trying to see the bright side, such as that maybe the rewrite turned out better than the original.

I hope my sharing makes those of you who don't make such mistakes feel good about yourself. And for those of you who have made similar goofs, I hope you feel better that you are not alone!

 

Ultra-Rare Cancers

My recent posts discuss the trouble with the adjective "rare" when talking about types of cancer. What's a researcher, clinician or patient to do?

Good news for Healthy Survivors! Now, along with ultra-strong hairsprays and ultra-rich ice-creams, we have:

"Rare" Impact

To say a type of cancer is rare means different things in different countries. Why does it matter how "rare" is defined?

How Rare is "Rare"?

What does it mean to say a cancer is rare?