Dealing With Illness and Ostomies: Late Night ThoughtsDo you have late-night thoughts? I think we all do at some point. There is always a night you can't sleep for one reason or another. It could be a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Supporting an Ostomy Bag: Adhesive Removal Spray and Barrier FilmI am back for my final part to take a look at another couple of additional ostomy products which may help you on your ostomy journey. Today I am going...Reactions0reactionsComments9 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:...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
It Has Been a While!It has been a while since I last wrote anything, and that has been due to my physical and mental health. I found life so overwhelming that I retreated into...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
COVID With an OstomyAfter 3.5 years of managing to avoid COVID-19 - it finally got me. Having avoided contracting COVID-19 up until now was probably partly due to luck. However, for the most...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Getting the Bladder Cancer Message to CongressAs you may have read, I had many plans for Bladder Cancer Awareness Month. One of these was reaching out to my local member of parliament (the UK's rough equivalent...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Well, They Didn't Tell Me THATMaybe we can blame it on the emergency surrounding my surgery, and maybe we can say the post-op complications were taking precedence. But before and even after my surgery, I...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Self-Care: Acceptable and NecessaryFor me, self-care was never a thought. I was so caught up in taking care of everyone around me that taking care of myself was relegated to having hot coffee...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
In America: What's That?The In America survey is now closed. A bladder cancer diagnosis is a shock, but what can make it more difficult is the lack of information and research available for...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Supporting an Ostomy Bag: Flange Extenders and Ostomy PowderHi again. I am back to look at another couple of additional ostomy products that may help you on your journey. Some people need support in the early days while...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Coping With MusicMusic has always been an integral part of my life. Even as a baby, my parents said I was always dancing and bouncing whenever there was a tune playing. As...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Being OpenIsolation is debilitating. Be it physical or emotional. Feeling like you are alone or the only one going through what you are going through is brutal. Being open about your...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Signing My Life Away, Or Saving It?Surgery day was approaching. On October 31st, 2017, I was admitted to the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland, for my total pelvic exenteration surgery scheduled for the next day. Confirmation...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Living the 1 PercentFrom the day of my diagnosis, I have always been "different." I was too young (only 28 years old at diagnosis). I was a woman. I had never smoked or...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
The Dawn of a New Year and a Fresh StartThe New Year means different things to different people. I live in Scotland. December 31 is known as Hogmanay. Historically Christmas day wasn't even a holiday in Scotland; however, New...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Caregiver AppreciationNovember is Caregiver Appreciation Month. I am writing this on the first day of December. On November 8th, election day in America, my wife went to vote and pick up...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
An Ostomy: The Gift That Keeps on Giving"All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth," sang Alvin and the Chipmunks, but what do we all really want for Christmas? Well, you could ask thousands of...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Genetics and Bladder Cancer: A Family AffairBladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States, and the number of new cases continues to rise each year. Bladder cancer is more likely to affect...Reactions0reactionsComments19 comments
Caring for Your Mental HealthOnce faced with a cancer diagnosis, your entire focus tends to shift to caring for your body. Staying hydrated, eating well, prepping for procedures, dealing with treatment after effects, and...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments