Welcome Refresher On Healthy Survivorship

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

Since my diagnosis in 1990, I've been thinking, writing and speaking about survivorship from my perspective as a physician with recurring cancer. 

In 1992, I coined a term to capture what kind of survivor I wanted to be: A Healthy Survivor, namely "A survivor who (1) gets good care and (2) lives as fully as possible." This label can help patients nourish hope and foster healing clinician-patient bonds, as explained in A Healthy Survivor and Potatoes. 

The rise of managed care, high-tech therapies and the Internet has transformed both the experience of illness and the clinician-patient bond. Unintended consequences have led to a constant barrage of complaints about modern medicine.

My writing and speaking highlight all that is working well, with the hope that we can build on these efforts. I also discuss practical solutions to common problems, even if the only solution for now is a shift in philosophical perspective.

I entered Blog World to provide a place where patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, healthcare administrators and anyone interested can exchange ideas about Healthy Survivorship.

My posts are usually in response to news articles, readers' comments or personal experiences. Some readers email me their comments, which works well, too: harpham[at]tx.rr.com 

In some small way, every post addresses the challenges of getting good care and/or living as fully as possible when dealing with a medical challenge. Thank you for being part of the conversation.

Comments

[jonnie hickman]

Thank you Dr Wendy. That sums things up rather nicely. I have sent several survivors, friends and others to your blog site. It has been such a blessing to me.

[Joni Rodgers]

Just want to take this opportunity to say how much I've appreciated your sound advice and wise counsel over the years, Wendy. I recommend your books and this blog whenever I speak at survivorship events. Thank you for being such a powerful force for good in the world.

[Rachel Pappas]

Wow, Wendy (Dr. Harpham).
I just saw your words of encouragement on Mom's With Cancer. Docs said drugs not working. That was 15 years ago. Always helps to be reminded of a story like this. I hope the same for me and so many people I know fighting this nasty disease. I just had to come over and check out your blog, which I will hold onto for a resource. If you get the time, would you check out my site? www.1UpOnCancer.com
Best,
Rachel