Going SoloCOVID changed how so many hospitals, cancer centers, patients, and their families have to approach treatment and procedures. A year and a half later, and most facilities are either strictly... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Navigating Career Moves with Bladder CancerNo matter what your stage, type of treatment, or even what urinary diversion you may end up with after a bladder cancer diagnosis, there is one certain thing. Cancer will... By Brittney Tellekamp4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Bladder Cancerversary: Reflecting on Year 2In the cancer community, we acknowledge the anniversary date of our diagnosis. We call it our "cancerversary." I say acknowledge because celebrating the day you were given probably the worst... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
CT Day RoutineAfter all the needle pokes, procedures, and tests I have endured during my cancer journey, there is still one thing that gives me the worst anxiety of them all. CT... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Exercising with an OstomyI have always enjoyed being active. For years I danced recreationally and professionally. I also took up powerlifting for a few years. Working out and doing physical activities has always... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
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 - it may feel like you are tied down... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Looking The PartBlame it on Hollywood or maybe those heart-wrenching cancer commercials, but society definitely recognizes a very specific, stereotypical look for cancer patients. It's as if the casting call states: "Actor... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Trying Holistic RemediesI am a 100% supporter of science-backed medicine. It is my medical team’s knowledge and care that has brought me back from the brink of my bladder cancer time and... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Swollen Ankles and Other Post-Op SymptomsThere is a lot I was prepared for after my radical cystectomy surgery. A big scar, an ostomy, a rigorous recovery, but there were so many things I had no... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
What to do When Treatment is Going WellMy latest set of CT scans have come back saying I’m still in good shape. My labs are great, I’m handling treatment well and we know that this will be... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
One More Thing: Kidney Disease and Lifestyle ChangeI have gotten pretty good at rolling with the punches. I think any cancer patient has to be prepared to remain flexible and ready for the unexpected. But every now... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Support Fatigue and Managing ExpectationsAs I was in the hospital recovering from my radical cystectomy, the flowers and cards from family, friends, and supporters covered every inch of my room. My phone was constantly... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Perks of Being an OstomateTwo years ago I would have said there was absolutely nothing positive about having a urostomy. It was uncomfortable, always a hassle, and a constant outward reminder of my bladder... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments11 comments
Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine While on ImmunotherapyWhen the vaccine for COVID-19 was released, I immediately sat down with my oncologist to discuss the pros and cons of me personally getting the vaccine. Primarily we were concerned... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Survivor's Guilt and Bladder Cancer: the Unseen WeightSurvivor's guilt: noun, a condition of mental and emotional stress experienced by someone who has survived an incident in which others died. I actually came pretty close a couple of... By Brittney Tellekamp2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
What Is Grief Tourism?Grief tourist: someone who pretends to care about your chronic/serious illness on social media, but never offers their help in any real meaningful capacity. I was laying in my hospital... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
I Am Not My CancerMy name is Brittney. I am 30 years old, and I have stage IV bladder cancer. Take another look at that sentence. I HAVE cancer, I am not my cancer... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
When It's a Bad DayMy mom has this quote she says whenever anyone in our family is just having a rotten, no good, awful day. “It's a bad day, not a bad life”. This is... By Brittney Tellekamp4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Planning for "The End"When I found out that I not only had cancer, but stage IV metastatic cancer, I knew that my life would not necessarily end grey-haired and old. Now, I have... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Accept. Adapt. Advocate.Many organizations and companies use this alliteration. But I remember hunting around for a cancer shirt on Etsy and I stumbled across a seller with this phrase on a shirt... By Brittney Tellekamp3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments