Laura, Part 2

Cancer

  • Mary Oliver

    The American poet, Mary Oliver, passed away recently from cancer. I was not familiar with her, but I feel like I should have been. Certainly, I had heard what may be her most famous line, “Tell me, what is it you… Continue reading

    Mary Oliver

  • Thinking Big

    I’ve decided that I need to think bigger. Fear has often kept me back from expressing myself as I want to, trying things that are hard, being my true self. I guess I’m afraid of being misunderstood or making mistakes.… Continue reading

  • Vacation

    I need a vacation. I need to go somewhere cool and fun. To walk along a beach or on a street teeming with interesting people, places, and things. To feel uplifted and fancy-free. To read an entire chapter of a… Continue reading

  • Anniversary

    Yesterday was Jim’s and my five-year anniversary of being a couple. We’ve been through a lot together. Me being a widow, his stress in graduate school, my brother’s suicide, his father’s operations, my cancer. There have also been a lot… Continue reading

  • The Fear of Recurrence

    Last weekend, I found a lump on my right breast. I dismissed it for a day or two. Then, on Wednesday, I felt it again in the shower. I told my boyfriend that I wanted to get it checked out.… Continue reading

  • What a Year It Has Been

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of last year. Now, I am basically done with treatment. Although, I will be taking tamoxifen for five years. On Saturday, I leave for Tampa to see my best friend. Other buddies… Continue reading

  • Paying Attention

    I don’t know if it’s PTSD from all of the cancer treatments or something else, like getting older, but I find myself forgetting things more lately. Don’t panic. I don’t think I have dementia or anything. It’s just that I… Continue reading

  • Radiation

    I have six days of radiation left. The treatments are making me tired. I sleep a lot. On the weekends, I have more time and energy. I look forward to exercising at my full potential some time in the near… Continue reading

  • Anxiety

    I’ve been feeling a lot of anxiety lately. Not sure what’s causing it. Could be work, the holidays, cancer treatments. I am trying to meditate more. Yesterday, I did some yoga. Now that my health is getting back to normal,… Continue reading

  • Back to Work

    Tomorrow, I return to the office after my breast surgery. I think I am ready. The three weeks off I had were sorely needed. Not just because of the physical recuperation I was going through, but also because I had… Continue reading