A friend recently asked me a question about what happens after a cancer patient is done with treatment. “My cousin finished radiation in the spring and is in remission, but she’s been having a tough time. Most of the family doesn’t want to talk about her cancer anymore; they’re just ready for things to go […]
Capital Breast Care Center (CBCC) provides culturally appropriate breast cancer screening services and promotes health and wellness to women in the Washington, DC area, regardless of their ability to pay. Their services include clinical breast exams, mammograms, ultrasound-guided biopsies, Pap smears, and pelvic exams. CBCC performs mammograms on 2,000 DC area women annually. 100% of […]
What do you look for in a charity to support with your time or money? In 2010 and 2011, I helped almost every charity that asked for my assistance as a volunteer, fundraiser or Host Committee member. I was proud of my efforts and the accomplishments of the organizations that I gladly served. In 2012, […]
I hadn’t planned on joining Congress in taking a recess during August, but apparently, I, too, needed a break from blogging. Ironically, though, the past month has been anything but uneventful. The Boobs (or “Foobs,” as some of us in the breast cancer community call them): The first week after my reconstructive surgery was rougher […]
“I thought that you were done with surgery, Stef. What are you going in for this time?” several friends inquire. “This is the second stage of reconstruction,” I reply, noticing my friends’ confusion. “They take the temporary expanders out and put the permanent implants in.” Knowing looks follow, as my friends begin to register what […]
It happens to 50% of breast cancer patients under the age of 35 who require chemotherapy. For those breast cancer patients who need chemo and are 35-40, the statistics go up to 80%. If you are over 45, have breast cancer and receive chemotherapy, it’s almost guaranteed to happen to you! “What are you talking […]
I’ve written a lot about not feeling like myself since I began treatment for breast cancer. Deep down, I know that I’m more than the sum of my parts, but there are moments when that doesn’t provide solace. At a recent charity event, an acquaintance complimented my short hair. Without missing a beat, I cringed […]
“I write as a way to communicate with friends from all stages of my life and receive support from others.” Those words appeared on my site three months ago, and I was reminded of why I wrote them again this week. I needed a cup – or two – of clarity, and I received that […]
For the majority of my life, I never shared my bra size with other people. I loved my tits, but I went out of my way not to flaunt them in public. I wore minimizers so my boobs would look 1-1 ½” smaller than they were. I chose certain tops that were boob-friendly so that […]
What if your partner leaves you during an illness like cancer? How can you be proactive to ensure that your physical and emotional health don't suffer when a friend or family member isn't as supportive as you expected them to be? Here are my tips, as given to Breast Cancer Answers: Have you or a […]