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Information Overload: Getting the Information you Need after your Diagnosis
July 13, 2023
The Many Myths of Cancer
When I was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center back in June of 2012, my hematologist went into great detail about what leukemia was and what I could expect from going through chemotherapy. In fact, throughout the whole process of chemotherapy, my bone-marrow transplant, and graft-vs-host disease, I was given information. I was encouraged to read up on cancer, join support groups, and to ask all the questions I wanted. As I found out, there were a lot of misconceptions and myths out there about cancer and cancer treatment. One of the biggest myths I was told was that it was "clinically proven" that having a positive attitude can help you beat cancer. This was repeated to me by more than one friend and family member. It seemed farfetched to me. How can you clinically prove a "can-do" attitude can beat something so complicated as cancer? So, I looked it up. I even asked my doctor, and as it turns out there is no proof that having a positive attitude can help beat cancer.Cancer Mythbusters
This is just one of the many myths and misconceptions there are surrounding cancer. Just a quick Google search of "common cancer myths" will give you more than two dozen hits from websites all over the globe. As it turns out, there are few subjects more misunderstood by the public than cancer. Considering there are more than 200 types of cancer, and that it is incredibly complicated, and scientists are still figuring it all out, it's no surprise there is so much misinformation. One of my favorite podcasts is called Cancer Mythbusters and it is produced by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where I was treated for ALL. One of my favorite episodes explores the idea of cancer being a personal battle which is a concept I will delve into in the next few weeks. The episodes are relatively short, and get straight to the point, which is always important when dealing with these topics, especially for those of us who are dealing with the after-effects of chemotherapy.Episode List and Links Through the Dana-Farber Website
Episode 1: Breast Lumps and Cancer Episode 2: Cancer Genetics and Prevention Episode 3: Smoking and Lung Cancer Episode 4: Is Cancer Contagious? Episode 5: Cancer Clinical Trials Episode 6: Is Palliative Care Only for End-of-Life Patients? Episode 7: Superfoods and Cancer Episode 8: Brain Tumor Myths Episode 9: What to Know About Marijuana Episode 10: Leukemia Myths Episode 11: Breast Cancer Risk Episode 12: Prostate Cancer Myths Episode 13: Early Cancer Detection and Risk Episode 14: Chemotherapy Myths and Misconceptions Episode 15: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Therapies Episode 16: The Myth That Cancer Is a 'Battle' These episodes may also be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, Youtube, and other outlets. Read More
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Funding Research, Funding a Family
August 4, 2021
“And honestly, truer words were never spoken,” Hayley said. “We really became a family.” First, click the link and read the story. Go on. https://www.stjude.org/inspire/series/storied-lives/st-jude-cancer-survivor-hayley-arceneaux-hope-inspiration4-worlds-first-all-civilian-space-flight.html There’s a lot to love about this story — a cancer survivor headed into space, how St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital treats patients, and how that treatment helped Hayley recognize […]
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The Addiction Group joins our resources page!
July 19, 2021
One of the things I’m proud of is that organizations do reach out to e asking if I can post their organization in our resources page. My first response usually is: “Wow. Is someone actually reading this stuff? Cool!” And then I calm down, take a look at the resource, and determine whether it’s appropriate. […]
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Helping the not-so-fortunate in these uncertain times
April 10, 2020
I can’t help but think that I and my family are pretty lucky. While the Coronavirus has shut down most of the state, my wife and kids and I are doing all right. Sara has plenty of work, the school district I’m working for is still paying me, and I’m able to post assignments for […]
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Mesothelioma Hub added to resources page
April 9, 2020
Morgan Barnhardt of Mesothelioma Hub wrote me an email asking to include her organization on Roads We’ve Travelled. Here’s a quote from her email: “2,000-3,000 individuals die every year due to mesothelioma, with symptoms not appearing until 20-40 years after exposure to asbestos. The scariest time for most families is directly after diagnosis. Therefore, we […]
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New Resource: Mesothelioma.net
April 2, 2019
Once again, I am pleased to welcome another organzationto our growing list of resources. Mesothelioma.net What is Mesothelioma? According to Mesothelioma.net, Mmesothelioma is a deadly but rare cancer that usually affects the lining of the lungs. It is caused, primarily, by exposure to asbestos, a flame retardant material that was banned in the early ’80s […]
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The New Me
March 6, 2019
I miss my son. I miss his face. I miss his bright blue eyes. I miss his gentle manner. I miss the way he would crawl around the house. I miss his smile. And I miss his laugh. God, I miss his laugh. And, I must say, I miss me. Carrying more weight Before Aidan […]
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New Resource: The Recovery Village
February 26, 2019
Not too long ago, I did a piece on the New England Center and Home for Veterans. In my research, I studied a lot of statistics on homelessness among our veterans, and they were, to say the very least, disheartening. The word I would prefer to use is “tragic.” According to the National Coalition for […]
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A Newborn and a New Hope
April 24, 2018
Arianna Frances Mallio wasn’t even a day old, and so very small. A tiny newborn child, I could hold in the crook of my arm with room to spare. I could cradle her head in the palm of my hand. She was swaddled in blankets, with a little pink hat on her head. Her eyes, […]
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Ordinary Heroes: New England Center and Home for Veterans
May 6, 2017
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