Hi friends! So sorry it’s been awhile since I told you about the latest on my medical carousel. I appreciate how many of you jumped in to offer support after my last colonoscopy when I didn’t get the news I wanted. And then, tons more support came in when I was making surgery decisions, getting […]
Read MoreHe was a bull in a china shop, and I mean that in the most loving way. If John could read this description about himself, I imagine he’d say, “Damn straight.” I first encountered this man in a bright, white hallway. He was, let’s just say, talking like a passionate, confident sales guy on the […]
Read MoreDr. Jamie Aten is a “Twitter friend” who I connected with first via social media. One day, his guest post about surviving stage 4 colon cancer hit my news feed and as I read it, I knew we needed to connect. Not only is his story inspirational, but his unique expertise in disaster psychology is extremely helpful […]
Read MoreWhen I first started blogging about cancer, I named my first blog “Semicolon Stories” because I needed an outlet, a way to tell my story of surviving colon cancer at age 17. It proved to be a healing experience. Not only did the act of writing a blog bring therapeutic benefits, but putting words to […]
Read MoreIt’s been a few months since I wrote a health update. Partly because I launched Unexpected: 25 advent devotionals and fully embraced it. (Which, if you supported this project, thank you! It sold over 800 books and is helping fund my friend Doc’s missionary travels!) A few other reasons I’ve not written an update include […]
Read MoreI never know how I’m going to feel today, and how to celebrate my cancer anniversary. I’ve learned over 18 years that there’s no “right way” to celebrate a day like today. Some years I barely mention it, other years (like last year when I wrote “17 Reasons God Meant Colon Cancer for my Good” […]
Read More“How does it feel to turn 35 years old!?” friends asked me across a conference room table earlier this week. They’re new friends, people I’ve met over the past year through work. People who’ve not lived the past 18 years by my side as I’ve survived colon cancer (although people who would have undoubtedly rushed […]
Read MoreOne of the best decisions I’ve made in the past week is sharing my colonoscopy results with you all. Seriously. The outpouring of support is overwhelming, in a good way. My heart was encouraged by the comments, messages, texts and phone calls all weekend. It took me over an hour and a half to read […]
Read MoreFor the past 17 years, I’ve been telling my story of being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer just a few weeks after I turned 17 years old. Today is my 17 year cancerversary. Some years on this cancer anniversary, I’ve felt empowered and strong. Other years, I’ve wanted to crawl into a hole and […]
Read MoreScroll down past the big trees – he told us on his personal blog – and there you’ll find me. In a picture from one of his hiking trips, surrounded by beautiful tall trunks of some of the world’s tallest trees, there Tom Marsilje didn’t only find himself but introduced himself. Humble. Happy. Hopeful he […]
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