Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

The Voice in Your Head

Every day a voice in your head talks to you, shaping how you perceive and react to life's ups and downs. 

New Tool in Skin-Cancer Fight

Thomas M. Burton of the Wall Street Journal shares news about a new tool with the potential of improving physicians' ability to diagnose melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. In his September 26th article, he also addresses problems with the FDA approval process for new devices.

Doorknob Moments

Doorknob moments. All clinicians have experienced them.

The doctor takes a history and does an exam, comes up with an assessment and plan. Just as the doctor prepares to leave, with his or her hand wrapped around the doorknob, the patient asks one more question -- "Could this be related to falling down the stairs?" --  or mentions one more detail --  "I forgot to mention that I've noticed blood in my stools." -- that changes everything.

Give Food or Money?

How do you help a neighbor who just had surgery or is going through cancer treatment? Bring a lasagna, maybe? What if your neighbor doesn't need food, but money? Can they ask? Would you give?

Dark Side of the Placebo Effect

Sleep paralysis is a frightening experience. You're asleep, but you sense you are awake. You seem to have a realistic perception of the immediate surroundings, but you can't move. It can be associated with a feeling of dread, chest pressure and shortness of breath. 

Laughter Limits Pain

In Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient (1979), American journalist Norman Cousins detailed his recovery plan after being diagnosed with a painful, life-threatening disease:

When Doctors Become Patients

A recent NYTimes op-ed piece by Dr. Eric D. Manheimer touches on the difficulty of knowing when to abide by a patient's desire to stop treatment. In When Doctors Become Patients, 

Healing 9-11

Healing 9-11

Powerless to undo or rewrite it, I remember what's been lost     to help me savor what remains.

Helpless to fill the hole or cover it, I include the empty space in structures of strength and beauty.

Desperate to relieve the anger and grief, I vow to defend freedom to live and love, to laugh and hope.   

When Patients Band Together

Here's one more way social media is changing our world: Patients are instigating needed research via Internet message boards.

Please respost your comment

I accidentally deleted one of the comments submitted to my blog today. If you posted a comment and it is not on the blog now, please repost. Thank you. My apologies for the trouble. Wendy

Back of My Mind

Healthy Survivors get good care from their healthcare team, friends and family by describing their problems and the impact of these problems in language others can understand.

It Takes Time to Deliver Efficient Care

KevinMD's tag line is "social media's leading physician voice." Today Dr. Pho published one of my blog posts from earlier this year:  It Takes Time to Deliver Efficient Care.

Beat Cancer Boot Camp

In April, PBS aired a special about Beat Cancer Boot Camp. Developed and run by Anita "Sarge" Kellman, here's a program where cancer, cardio and comraderie change lives.