despite cancer

an update and a change

mjm — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:44:44 +0000

Well, hello there. It’s been forever, it seems, but for good reason. Changes are afoot. Good changes.

My goal in starting this blog was to encourage cancer patients, cancer survivors, that life can still be lived well, despite having cancer (hence, the name of the blog). I soon realized that this was task better suited for a larger scale project. I also realized that this was better accomplished with a team of people behind the scenes, not just me.

So, together with a group of my colleagues, all interested in bettering the lives of cancer patients and survivors, we’ve started this:

Living Despite Cancer will house a blog (yes, you can find me there!), a forum for people to connect and converse, a listing of resources, and more. We’re on facebook and on twitter.

We hope - I hope – that this new site helps achieve our mission of supporting those with cancer and those who’ve survived cancer.

I hope it grows into something great.

the circus of cancer

mjm — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:39:23 +0000

JC Braithwaite, a friend and a breast cancer survivor, wrote this poem just a few days after she was diagnosed with the disease several years ago. In a chaotic time in her life, she turned to writing to express herself, and this beautiful piece was the result. JC was pushed into the three ring circus of cancer, and she emerged on the other side, battered and bruised but with an amazing sense of self and purpose. Today, she is cancer-free, and she and her husband are enjoying life with their two-year old daughter, Emily Shea. Emily is named after JC’s oncologist, Dr. Barbara Shea.

* * * * *

The Circus of Cancer

Today the flyers came announcing the arrival of the circus.

The Circus of Cancer

With the weight of the world I became the center pole of this three ring circus.

Deflated and heavy I planted myself in the ground and began to heave the tent preparing for this crazy show.

Family and friends plant their poles next to mine and try to lift as much as they can.

Even friends from far away heave and pull tightening around me.

Slowly I raise and right myself with the help of those who love me.

This show must go on.

The side show acts bring gasps of, “Why in the world?” and “How can it be?”

Everyone silently thanking God they aren’t the bearded lady.

Tears are shed for these oddities.

I’ve been a side pole in other circuses but this one is my very own.

No one can hold this tent up but me.

In come the clowns.

No circus is complete without them.

Laughter is my cotton candy.

Pies in the face take my eyes off the trapeze being raised in the dimmed background.

Even the sad clown has his place in this show.

The tightrope walk starts

Silently the crowd stares and prays.

There are wobbles and gasps but no one will fall today.

Amid all the chaos the Ringmaster is in charge of the show.

He conducts everything.

He can make sense of this 3 ring circus.

The show will conclude with a death defying feat.

Drum roll please.

Sighs of relief and cheers from the crowd.

She made it!

The big top will be lowered and the circus will move on.
The best thing about a circus is…

It may come to town but it never stays!

ovarian cancer – a silent killer

mjm — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:30:17 +0000

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by our local television station yesterday. I spoke about ovarian cancer and symptoms to be aware of.

I’m unable to embed the video here, but this is the link to the video clip.

Ovarian cancer will affect around 22,000 women in the United States this year, and close to 16,000 will die from the disease. While it’s the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women, it is the most deadly of all the gynecologic cancers. Unfortunately, three-quarters of women will be diagnosed at late stages of the disease (stage III and IV), when the cancer has left the confines of the ovary and spread throughout the abdomen – or worse, outside the abdomen.

Being aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and paying attention to your body — really knowing your body — are the messages I wanted to get across in that clip.