Tag Archives: ovarian cancer

Check-in

Greetings from St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. Or, more specifically, the Inn at St. Mary’s, a beautiful hotel on the edge of campus where I’ve been staying since Sunday. I’m here all week giving talks on The Saint John’s … Continue reading

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At the Cancer Hospital (2)

This “triple whammy” week has been challenging, but not in the way I thought it might be. Everything was harsher and a little longer than usual, but the side effects are still mostly annoying and not painful. I had some … Continue reading

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Garden

My sister came to help me this week, during a challenging round of chemotherapy. Since the beginning I’ve been doing everything possible to stay healthy for a week-long conference at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, where I’m the afternoon … Continue reading

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Chemo Buddies

I remember the first treatment, when I had expected to be sitting in a big room or rows of chairs getting chemo with a bunch of patients, and it turned out we each had our own room, thinking: “How am I … Continue reading

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The Weight

When chemotherapy knocked out my desire and the taste for alcohol, many carbohydrates, and sugar, particularly chocolate, several women on both sides of my family said: “Oh, you’re going to lose weight!” This is, for middle aged women, an unqualified good result, … Continue reading

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Dancing on the Ceiling

I’m sitting in my room in treatment and just finished watching Fred Astaire dance on the walls and ceiling of his hotel rom in Royal Wedding. It is not the first time I’ve seen this number. I’ve seen it dozens of times. … Continue reading

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This Year’s Garden

This week marked a turning point for me in terms of fatigue. The real low point was marked by my inability to make a meal on Thursday. I haven’t been keeping up with the grocery shopping, and sending others out with … Continue reading

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Fertility

A new painting came to live with me yesterday. As Sophia said, time to get the winter painting out and get something green in the room. She walked it across the commons in the morning and we set it up on … Continue reading

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Somali Scarf Shopping

I came back from my trip to warm temps, greener grass, and full-throated frogs in the wetlands. And that means I need to move from my winter hats and think about lighter headwear for summer. I tell you, I am … Continue reading

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Sister

I have been truly blessed to have my sister Kathy with me this week, from Monday until today. We were close as kids, but have spent very little time together over the past 20 years. She’s been in Washington State … Continue reading

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