Remembering Why I Share My Cancer Diagnosis“Before you quit, remember why you started.” At a work conference, we recently had to go around the room and share our...reactionscomments
One Year Later: Living with an Ostomy and Stoma Care TipsWell, it's official: I have had my life-saving stoma for an entire year now. Within 2 weeks of my diagnosis, my oncologists...reactions2comments
Funny Ostomy QuestionsOstomies are strange things. I’ll admit when told I would be getting a urostomy, I had to immediately google what it was...reactions3comments
It Wasn't Just Menstrual CrampsIn late spring of 2019, I knew something was up. I was experiencing what I thought were heavy periods and spotting along...reactions5comments
Pros and Cons of One-Piece and Two-Piece Ostomy SystemsPre-cancer, I was a product-testing junkie. I have always loved trying new skincare, haircare, electronics, apps – you name it. I wanted...reactions1comment
Frequently Asked Ostomy QuestionsLet’s face it, ostomies are weird. When you really think about it, it's a piece of your intestines sticking out of your...reactions1comment
Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Removal (Cystectomy)Calling my mom in 2019 to tell her “Mom, ... I have cancer.” was the most brutal phone call I have ever...reactionscomments
An Immunotherapy Clinical Trial as My First-line TreatmentIf you are familiar with my cancer story, you know that it has been ANYTHING but typical. From my age, stage of...reactions1comment
Starting a New Health JourneyBefore I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and in the subsequent 6 months after diagnosis I lost an extreme amount of weight...reactions2comments
A Letter to Newly Diagnosed MeLet me start there. You are so beautiful and have an inner strength that will change lives, even if you don't know...reactions5comments
Managing My Cancer and My CareerBeing diagnosed at age 28 with stage IV cancer brings so many challenges beyond just fighting this disease. Of course, there is...reactionscomments
My Dog Knew I Was SepticWe can all agree that our pets are very intuitive. They just seem to "know" when something is wrong and, in their...reactions4comments
Being BraveYou're so brave. I'm so inspired by you. You're doing so great. You are so strong - blah, blah, blah. I have...reactions13comments
Stress and Vitamin DeficiencyAfter my radical cystectomy, I experienced severe hair loss. Although I did not end up bald, my medical team estimates I lost...reactions1comment
My Diagnosis Story: Strange SymptomsBeing a young woman diagnosed with bladder cancer, the thing I'm most often asked is, "How did it happen?". I've told my...reactions6comments
Cold Weather Ostomy HacksThere I stood at my bathroom counter, a third failed bag in the trash, and staring daggers at my stoma. Nothing I...reactions3comments
Intimacy After CystectomyI am a sex-positive person. I think education and conversations surrounding sex and intimacy should be normal. I am even more passionate...reactionscomments
My Personal Story of GratitudeOne evening, I found myself sitting on the sofa with my mom, having another one of our cancer “hash it out sessions.”...reactions1comment
Ostomate on the Go: The NecessitiesFor those who have gone through bladder cancer, had a radical cystectomy, and either chosen or ended up with a urostomy -...reactions6comments
Beating Hospital InsomniaIt is often said that hospitals are where you go to be treated, but home is where you get well. That idea...reactions1comment
