Breast cancer is evil. It takes our breasts, it takes our hair … it takes some lives … and for some people, it takes the ability to conceive.
Are you one of the many people dealing with infertility issues as a result of your breast cancer treatment? You’re not alone. Because chemotherapy (and radiation therapy kill) kills not only cancer cells, but cells involved in the production of eggs. Hormone therapy brings on additional complications. For example, after my first cancer occurrence, my doctor didn’t want to prescribe Tamoxifen unless my husband and I were positive we didn’t want more biological …read more

Children of parents with breast cancer have such special, fragile needs. They carry a weight on their shoulders that no child should have to bear. They are anxious, sad, frightened … fearful they’ll suffer a loss, worried their parent will feel pain, scared they won’t be taken care of. Kids in families touched by cancer need a fun summer experience way more than the kid next door.
But unless the kid in the next bunk also has a parent with cancer, camp might not be what the doctor ordered. That’s what makes camps with professionals trained to meet their delicate needs …read more

Yes, school’s out for summer. I’m ready for a pink ribbon raucous. At least, that’s what I’m expecting. Noise, noise, noise. It’ll be hard to accomplish much of anything once my babies are home with me for their summer vacation. But I don’t mind one bit.
Bring. It. On.

It just isn’t fair.
Because mothers really, really get it all done, don’t they? They manage the household (the bills, the utilities, the repairs). They cook and they clean and they shop and they launder. They care for the children (the bumps and the bruises, the dentist and doctor appointments, the school/camp/sports registrations). They take care of the animals and the neighbors (you know they’re bringing meals to others in need).
And of course, many mothers also volunteer or work for pay at home or outside the home. They plan quality time with the children and their spouses, they plan the family …read more

Nothing breaks a momma’s heart more than the knowledge that her children are suffering.
When a momma’s cancer causes her children to suffer … it’s barely bearable.
When a child’s continual pain comes out in his schoolwork catching a momma by surprise … it’s horrific.
More than a year has passed since my last surgery; I’ve regained my strength and mobility. I thought my children were all secure about my health, confident in my abilities. But my oldest son recently brought home a list of four wishes he’d created in school and one of them read: “I wish my mother wouldn’t get breast …read more