The Guilt of Good HealthWhen my mother was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer, I was studying abroad. Being so far apart when receiving the news of her diagnosis was definitely a challenging time... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Empowerment, Empathy & UnderstandingEmpowerment. What does it mean? At its core, empowerment enables individuals or groups to gain greater control over their lives, making decisions that positively affect their well-being. But for someone... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Power of WordsAs a family we’ve always been a pretty positive bunch. Growing up, our house was always one filled with laughter and jokes, sarcasm and satire. No one was exempt from... By Phil Norris4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
A Surprise (and Surprising) 60thRecently, my mom celebrated her 60th birthday. And for someone who had less than a 50/50 chance of survival a few years ago, this milestone birthday definitely meant a lot... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Finding Peace in the DistanceA cancer diagnosis is never easy. It changes everything. Upon hearing the words and realizing, "I have cancer," it can feel as though time has stopped completely. Or alternatively, the... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The "Other Bladders"It's bladder cancer awareness month, and as you know: Our Bladders Matter! But what if it's not your bladder? Now, this isn't as strange as it might sound. What I... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Boats, Bridges, and Bags: The Unexpected EmpowermentAmsterdam in the summer is an amazing place to be. When the sun is shining, it really is the most beautiful city. With sunlight bouncing off the boats cruising on... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Secret Shame: Sharing the NewsI received the news that my mother had cancer when living abroad and studying for a master's degree. Hearing the words, "I have cancer," felt like a punch in the... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Bladder Cancer: Riding an Emotional RollercoasterHearing the news that someone you love has cancer is the beginning of an emotional rollercoaster. For anyone in the same position as I was when I first heard the... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Cancer: A Hereditary HangoverA cancer diagnosis in the family, I've come to learn, has long-term effects for more than just the patient. In the beginning, when I first received the news that my... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
The Art of a Phone CallI recently discussed how I could offer support while living overseas. Living abroad and being unable to physically be there during my Mother's cancer journey was difficult. But I did... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Offering Support: Being There When You Can't Be ThereIf someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, you'll obviously want to support them in every way possible. If you live locally, you can offer support in many ways:... By Phil Norris3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments