Cancer Survivorship & Survivor’s Guilt

Midnight (New York time): official release of “Open Road” 4:00 a.m. – Got a lot done on one of my compositions 9:00 a.m. – Started a brand-new delightful piano student 1:30 p.m. – More piano students 5:30 p.m. – Red Robin for french fries, I mean, a burger 😉 7:00 p.m. – Fred Meyer for […]

Facebook: “In honor of your birthday this week, Marie, why don’t you set up a charity in your name? We will do all the work and waive the fee.” Me: “Uh…big, fat NOPE. How about I celebrate all month with friends and family like I always do—phone calls, presents, games, going out to eat, maybe […]

Eleven years. Eleven years since that moment in my gynecologist’s office—long story—when I was told that my life, as I knew it, was over. How do I recount my cancer experience? There are too many stories to tell. Just take a few moments to glance over this blog and you will see why I cannot […]

Today marks the ten-year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis, the day some strange doctor—not my regular one—told me about ten times in a thick accent, “You have advanced cancer.” The picture on the left was taken three hours later, right before my family’s scheduled road trip to Angel’s Camp, California. I thought for sure I […]

Because of my hyper state, I’ve been cleaning and cleaning and cleaning. I found this in a huge box of old papers. I must say, it sent a shiver down my spine. One thing I know for sure: I haven’t seen an infusion nurse for years, so if that isn’t a reason to own my […]

The meeting started promptly at seven. I was the keynote speaker, but I was not set to start my PowerPoint until 7:40. I wasn’t nervous at all. Mainly, I was thankful that I had not overslept, considering I had set my alarm for 5:30 that morning. The women went around the room introducing themselves and […]

I had just finished presenting “Marking Milestones” for my afternoon session at the Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Conference when the sturdy gentleman at the back of the room stood up and proceeded to tell his story: “My milestones: In 1919, I was born. During World War II…”—here, he mentioned so many medals, I couldn’t keep […]

I spoke at the Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Conference this past August. You may remember that I also spoke for this group in 2013 with my usual flair for the dramatic. When I first got the email asking if I would speak, I cancelled my vacation plans and said yes, I would be happy to […]

I always hear the term “Cancer Survivorship” and think to myself, What does that even mean? I know all about survivor’s guilt. You may remember that a few years ago, I spoke at the Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Conference. I donated a few of my books to this worthy cause and began to get requests […]