Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

An Inconceivable Mistake and Healthy Survivorship

To further our discussion of Healthy Survivorship -- what it is and how to achieve it -- let's look at it in the context of a medical challenge that is not an illness or injury.

Cancer Rehab

After people have a heart attack, stroke or joint replacement, rehab is a routine part of their recovery plan. Cancer survivors, too, can have significant musculoskeletal issues during and after the acute illness. Yet cancer rehab programs are few and far between. Why is that?

ASCO's Survivorship Committee

Yesterday I was in Washington, D.C. to participate in the inaugural meeting of ASCO's Cancer Survivorship Committee. [ASCO is the American Society of Clinical Oncology.] While the specifics of the meeting are confidential, I'd like to share two things:

Walking on Planet C

Nile Rogers knows how to use words to communicate feelings. Who among us doesn't instinctively begin to dance with joy when listening -- and singing -- to "We are Family" at a family celebration? 

Mistreated Patients

This is a painful topic for me to address,. But I will, since it is about a challenge for some patients:

What can Healthy Survivors do if mistreated? 

Welcome Refresher On Healthy Survivorship

I'd like to welcome the new subscribers and provide a brief overview of this blog.

Help for Patients With Lymphedema

My life mission is "Helping Others Through the Synergy of Science and Caring." As part of this mission, I support people who are trying to help others become Healthy Survivors.

Today I'm shining the light on Crickett's Answers for Cancer (CAC).  

Talking With Your Doctors About News in the Media

In my last post I shared my response to a reader who was upset by the media reports of a new study. The commenter expressed ambivalence about discussing it with her physicians: "I don't know if it would be healthy or not to ask my doctors...if [knowing what we know today] I would have been spared this surgery."

When a New Study Shakes a Pillar of Care

A breast cancer survivor recently emailed me, upset by media reports on a new study, the results of which led researchers to the conclusion that many women with early breast cancer do not need surgical removal of the cancerous lymph nodes in the axilla (armpit).

This is a huge deal, since patients who undergo the surgery are far more likely to have complications like infections, abnormal sensations, fluid collecting in the armpit and lymphedema. The survivor who emailed me had the surgery and now suffers from chronic arm problems. With her permission, this is how I responded:

The 5 Rs to Healthy Survivorship (Continued)

In yesterday's post, I shared Dr. Marsha Epstein's "5 Rs for tobacco users unwilling to stop." Today I'll generalize these 5 Rs, so they can be adapted to the challenge of taking effective action, i.e., pursuing actions that help you get good care and live as fully as possible. 

The 5 Rs to Healthy Survivorship

For smokers, snubbing out their last-ever cigarette is a key element of "getting good care" in their pursuit of Healthy Survivorship. But smokers often feel miserable while quitting, enough that most relapse.

Treating Chronic Pain

A NYTimes article about ways to manage the costs of treating chronic pain also offers Healthy Survivors some tips on managing chronic pain itself.

Helping Misguided Survivors

On my January 28th post, Lori commented about one's obligations to survivors whose belief in the power of positive thinking precludes their getting effective therapies.