Embodiworks - Integrative Cancer Care Resources

Embodiworks is an organization designed to support the WHOLE person as they manage a cancer diagnosis - addressing every aspect: mind, body & spirit. They address every aspect. Have a look. I really like what they are up to. They share my commitment to transform the cultural conversation about cancer into one that empowers all those affected. Perhaps you'll use it or recommend it to someone in your life.

Click here to go directly to their website.

St. Baldrick's April 3, 2011

On April 3, 2011, I'm shaving my head again, but this time to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, and more importantly, to raise money to find cures.

Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government.

Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Thank you!

Click here to go directly to my participant page and donate.

Lastest Test Results

Today I received my test results from my blood work & CT scan. All test's came back negative. Come April 15th I will have been "officially" cancer-free for two years. I'm not feeling any joy as of yet. Right now I'm simply feeling relief.

The Power of Vulnerability

A lot of people have asked how I maintained such a positive attitude through my cancer diagnosis & treatment. Brene Brown's talk on TED powerfully articulates a huge part of the "how" ...at least to the capacity in which I found the courage to do so. ♥ Click HERE on this link to watch it.


To let ourselves be seen, deeply seen, vulnerably seen. To love with our whole hearts even though there is no guarantee. To practice gratitude and joy on those moments of terror when we're wondering, "Can I love you this much? Can I believe in this, this passionately? Can I be this fierce about this? Just to be able to stop, and instead of catostrophizing what might happen, to say, "I'm just so grateful because to feel this vulnerable means I'm alive." And finally to believe that we're enough. Because when we work from a place that says, "I'm enough," then we stop screaming & start listening. We're kinder and gentler to the people around and we're kinder and gentler to ourselves.

Annual Colonoscopy

Yesterday morning I had my annual colonoscopy. I can't believe it's standard protocol for sedatives to be given without question. I mean, I know a colonoscopy can be quite uncomfortable for some people, but I'm curious how uncomfortable it is for the average person. Because with a few series of deep breaths, I was able to manage the occasional discomforts. And the bonus was that I was able to go right to work directly after the procedure and not lay around sedated all day.

Oh, I almost forgot to say. Results were NEGATIVE. Everything looked good. My next colonoscopy will be in December 2011.

Saw Two of My Doctors Tuesday

I saw my surgeon on Tuesday November 25th and he was happy with my progress. On Monday I realized I am no longer experiencing foot drop and that's very positive. The only lingering symptom is some slight numbness on the bottom of my big toe and the toe next to it. My doctor expects me to be able to return to work two & a half weeks from now. It's a little more time off than I had hoped, but I will do exactly as his says. This is clearly his arena and not mine.


I also saw my oncologist, the new Chief of Hemotology at Guthrie, on Tuesday and he said all my blood work was great, other than an increased white blood cell count. Considering I had surgery just a little over 24-hours prior to the blood test, it would make sense my white blood cell count was up. He also recommended I seriously consider being tested for the genetic predisposition for colon cancer. He said if I do have a genetic predisposition for colon cancer then my son would need to start having annual colonoscopies at age 26 - 10 years prior to the age I was diagnosed. If I do not have the genetic predisposition for colon cancer, then he could begin annual colonoscopies at age 36...I think. I find out more about that at my next appointment.

Considering I was a Stage II Rectal Cancer when I was diagnosed (at age 36), it would seem the start date for my son's annual colonoscopies would be based on when the cancer likely to have started, not when it was found. The cancer probably started two years prior to diagnosis and perhaps a cancerous or pre-cancerous polyp was what preceded the cancer a couple years prior to that. So I think it's more logical to start his colonoscopies at age 32 if I'm not predispositioned or age 22 if I am. Sorry kiddo. I wish you didn't even need to think about it. xoxo

In the Clear

I'm happy to post that the withdrawals were over by Saturday. Now I know if a doctor treats me with narcotics in the future, I will need to plan for a few additional days of recovery to manage the withdrawals. Bummer, but it's good to know what the necessary preparation will be.