50 Gift ideas for Cancer Patients (2026 update)
Looking for gifts for cancer patients? Look no further! I’m frequently asked, "What are some good gifts ideas for cancer patients?" "What's a good cancer survivor gift?" and "What to get someone going through chemo?" Here’s a running list I update each year.
Colon Cancer Survivor at Age 17
I’m a three-time colon cancer survivor who first hid my symptoms at age 14 and was officially diagnosed at age 17. I’ve faced colon cancer in my teens, 20s, and 30s. I have Lynch syndrome. Here’s the story.
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe
I love baking chocolate chip cookies - it’s one of my favorite things. Despite all the hard stuff in life, something about these cookies brings me back to my center and to peace. Here’s my favorite recipe.
Talking to kids about cancer
As a 25-year cancer survivor and mom of 2, I’ve had to find ways to share my story and talk about cancer in age-appropriate ways. Here’s a few things I’ve learned over the years.
3rd Cancer’s a Charm?
I’ve hesitated going public with my most recent health updates. It was the topic of several therapy sessions leading up to my surgery in April. “I’m an advocate. I wrote a book about my health! How can I not share what’s going on!” For a few reasons, I needed to keep my health private at first. But, as I’ve recovered, I’ve slowly started to open up. And as I celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, I’ve found the courage to put it out there: I’m now a three-time cancer survivor.
Getting Angry at God
I can't remember the exact moment, but one day, I finally broke and honesty poured out. I couldn't hold it any longer. I was angry. Very angry. Many things were stirring my anger. I was deeply mourning the loss of fertility and facing survivor's guilt, wondering why I survived cancer yet my friends were dying.I was mad I couldn't eat like I used to, and my future would always have a cancer cloud hanging over it. Those things made me angry.
Mustard Seed Faith
Faith works a lot like mustard seeds. Plant tiny little dots in fertile soil and huge bushes will grow.
Virtual Book Launch Party Ideas
When I launched my memoir in 2020, we had to pivot our in-person launch party for a virtual backyard party. Here’s what we did and why it was a smashing success.
10 things to know about getting a colonoscopy
Because I’m a veteran colonoscopy-goer and a VIP at my GI’s office, I’m asked for tips about getting a colonoscopy a lot. Now that some of my high school classmates are starting to turn 40, this feels like even more important info. Here are 10 things I want you to know about getting a colonoscopy.
Spring is Coming – A Devotional
Even when our circumstances bury us under cold ice and snow, springtime says there's another way. A spring devotional about peonies.
The 17 Day Diet
My doctor recommended I try the 17 Day Diet when my body wasn't feeling quite right. Here's my experience, pros and cons, menus, favorite recipes for Cycle 1 and why it's the preferred eating plan when my husband and I need to clean up our diets.
Surviving Marriage
Here are our top 15 pieces of marriage advice from high school sweethearts married for 15 years who’ve faced “in sickness and in health” in more ways than we can count.
One Word for the New Year
I began choosing a “One Word” 10 years ago - here’s a look back at each of those words over the last decade and how they guided the year that followed.
Why I chose Plenvu prep again
Here is why I chose PLENVU again after my first experience with the bowel prep and a few other tips I picked up during my 14th colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy Prep Night (and trying Plenvu)
This fall, I had my 13th colonoscopy. This is more than most people receive in a lifetime, but as a colorectal cancer survivor with Lynch syndrome, a colonoscopy is a routine procedure for me. In fact, I get them annually. Because of this, I’ve picked up many tips for enduring a colonoscopy (and prep night) along the way. And, I’ve learned it’s good to try something new. For this colonoscopy, I tried PLENVU.
Colonoscopy #12 (with MiraLAX and Gatorade prep)
My experience of using MiraLAX & Gatorade colonoscopy prep. Also: Lessons I've learned about paying for a colonoscopy & finding polyps.
Disney Princesses, Adoption & Blended Families
The Disney princesses & movies have a lot of adoption and blended family themes. Here is a guide to help you have convos with your early childhood-age kid.