Tagged with Compassion …

An Unexpected Whirlwind

I never saw this coming yesterday, but appreciate it nevertheless.   Freshly Pressed on the Word Press front page.  Wow!    What began yesterday as a plan to begin my 30 Day Gratitude Challenge resulted in a post to share it on a whim. Certainly, that decision to share resulted in a huge response to say the … Continue reading →

Your Voice Has Potential, Share It Wisely

In the past year, two people I had known for decades and a third, the brother of a dear friend, committed suicide. The immensity of the loss shared by these three families and all those who loved them can never be measured. Immeasurable will also be the questions that remain unanswered as is the pain … Continue reading →

Shocked

It’s fair to say that not much of anything shocks me anymore. Maybe life, and this piece of shit brain tumor, have jaded me a bit as I’ve adjusted to a life full of insane (now normal) things and events. Don’t get me wrong, plenty in life is surprising and downright disappointing; such as toothpaste in the … Continue reading →

Pay It Forward Friday

If there’s one thing that I’ve come to understand more clearly on my journey with this piece of shit brain tumor, it’s that you often never know what someone’s dealing with. Too often when no outward appearance of challenge, disability or emotion is evident we fail to recognize that they exist under the surface. Finally … Continue reading →

Wrecking Balls

The journey we’ve been on has been interesting to say the least. There is however, an aspect of our journey that’s been difficult to articulate and more importantly, difficult to carry. Deeply personal, these interactions have framed my perspective as a patient and influenced my point of view as an advocate. The absolute worst part of our … Continue reading →

A Fateful Friendship

Two years ago in October, I waited eagerly and nervously in my foyer for Kevin to arrive. We had talked on the phone a week earlier when I had bluntly conveyed my dilemma. I needed my hair cut and colored. Yet, there was a twist. It was important for me to share with him before he … Continue reading →

730

730 days ago tomorrow, everything changed. I signed on the dotted line. Page after page of dotted lines I signed. Thinking all the while that I must have already lost my damn mind. It had to be good and gone if I was willing to give someone the opportunity and privilege to remove a piece … Continue reading →

Moments That Give Pause

This post was challenging to write and I’ve hesitated. Hesitated because I don’t believe this is how the majority think or how they work or interact. In-fact, I believe it’s a small minority who, whether burned out or over worked; they’ve lost a connection to the work and people they’ve pledged to help. I write … Continue reading →

Cast Of Characters 2010

We’re rapidly approaching Team Babes with Brains fourth year at the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation’s Race for Research and our cast of characters deserves a shout out.   While one may argue I should address the billowing bubbles coming from my washing machine instead of simply closing the door and pretending I didn’t see it; or … Continue reading →

The Unexpected Gift

Depending on the day, our life goes by many a different name. There’s ‘The Journey’, The Adventure’, ‘The Whirlwind’, ‘The Crazy Train, ‘Shit Luck Train Wreck’, ‘Disaster’ and the list goes on as I’m sure you get my point. Regardless of what Paul and I happen to be feeling, thinking about and dealing with, I’ve consistently … Continue reading →

So here’s the thing…

It’s very difficult balancing being an advocate while being a patient at the same time. The lines get blurred and in the end, no matter the situation, I’m still a patient and there’s no escaping that. I had the privilege to speak yesterday at the annual Mini Brain Tumor Symposium held at Winship Cancer Institute … Continue reading →

Sharing, Unexpectedly, A Story About Day 1

I volunteer my time as a Patient and Family Advisor for Emory Healthcare as a part of their Patient and Family Centered Care initiative. Working in partnership with administrators, physicians and nurses, I participate in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of healthcare at Emory.  Simply put, it’s about including patients and their families as integral … Continue reading →