Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship

Talking about Pain with Your Doctors

As both a physician and a patient, I've experienced the difficulties of talking about pain at doctor visits. In a handout for patients in chronic pain, I offer insights and tips. Here are just a few:

Lessons on Managing Pain

In a recent column, I offer clinicians "some of the insights and tips that have helped me [as a patient], and I hope can help you when caring for survivors...." Below, an excerpt:

Proud to be Old

Driving home from a visit with my oncologist, I looked over at the car to my right while waiting for the light to turn green. In the sedan, an elderly woman stretched to see over the top of the steering wheel. My first thought was:

Supporting people with cancer all year long

Along with candy corn and pumpkins, pink ribbons are popping up everywhere. Is buying products with pink lids the best way for you to make a difference for patients with breast cancer?

Think Twice Before Praising Weight Loss

Until recently, if I saw someone who had lost excess weight, without hesitation I'd say something positive like, "Wow, you look terrific!"

Then I read "Why You Should Think Twice Before You Praise Someone For Losing Weight."

Power of words

For the past 22 years, I've spent hours almost every day searching for words that communicate ideas in engaging and memorable ways.

Dilemma of a Cure

In my last post I asked: Would I complete a clinical trial if researchers came up with a sure cure for me? Or would I drop out and go for the cure?