Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

Spectacular Survivors

Years ago at a conference, the emcee introduced each survivor sitting at the dais. Once or twice during each introduction, the audience interrupted with applause and cheers. I wondered if I was the only person who didn't feel like clapping.

Scheduled Follow-Up, Unless...

Imagine your physicians just finished evaluating your problem. Maybe they ordered some tests. Then they prescribed some therapy. Before you leave, their office scheduled you for a follow-up visit in a few weeks. When should you not keep that appointment?

I'm So Sorry

The past two posts share bits and pieces of the story of Dr. Bradford Beck, a cardiologist and CEO of a major hospital who broke his neck last May. Today I want to focus on what he said to his wife, Mary, when she rushed to the scene of the accident and found him lying in the road.

Hopeful Acceptance

Yesterday I introduced the story of Dr. Brad Berk, a remarkable man who seemed to accept devastating losses quickly. While lying on the gravel waiting for the ambulance, he said he'd be OK as long as he could think and talk, breathe without a ventilator and use a wheelchair on his own.

The Comeback Physician

The cover of Rochester Medicine has a photo of the handsome CEO of my alma mater. Dr. Bradford Berk was a successful cardiologist and CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center. An avid athlete, on May 30, 2009 he was thrown from his bicycle after the driver of a car unintentionally pushed him off the road.

Sound of Potential

A key element of the pursuit of happiness as a Healthy Survivor is seeing potential in what is left after illness or injury prevents or takes away usual sources of joy.

CISCRP

Huh? CISCRP? Is that a word?

No, it is the acronym for a non-profit organization I'd like to highlight. Then you'll have it in the back pocket of your brain in case you ever need it for yourself or someone you love.

Lessons for Undergrads

Yesterday I spoke to pre-health and pre-law students at UTD who are taking a "Law & Medicine" course. What did I say in my hour? 

Protecting Patients' Rights

Over the years, I've heard testimony by survivors about the devastation that followed denial of their rights. While dealing with their illness, they lost their job, insurance and/or homes. What can they do?

Update on Radiation-based Medical Scans

On January 26th I blogged about the risk of patients being accidentally injured by overdoses of therapeutic radiation therapy. I brought it up for many reasons, one of which was to lead into a post of mantras for dealing with bad news. Another was to point out that "bad" news can lead to good news.

Healthy Survivorship 101

Problems can arise when people have lengthy and passionate discussions without realizing they are talking about two (or more) different things. So to keep us all on the same page, periodically I will provide a refresher post about the basic tenets of Healthy Survivorship.

What are we talking about when we say "Healthy Survivor" or "Healthy Survivorship"?

Lost in Translation

Let's stop and think about one of the great challenges of being a physician: translating.

Wendy's Eagles 2010

Dear fellow bloggers on Healthy Survivorship,

I have a request. 

Hear! Here!

A natural response to people who confide that they've been diagnosed with a disease (or that they are afraid of dying, are worried about getting through treatment, or are feeling any other unpleasant emotion), is to empathize and try to lift their spirits.

Unfortunately, the response that comes naturally may not be the most helpful to someone who wants to be a Healthy Survivor.

Getting VIP Treatment

Like most physicians, I regularly read articles in professional publications such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Oncology Times. But for more than thirty years I've also been getting medical information from another publication:Glamour.