by Beth DeLong | Last updated Aug 9, 2025 | Cancer Journey
Preparing for a mastectomy can be difficult. Especially when all you want to do is forget that the procedure is coming. But doing some prep work ahead of time will make the healing process – both physical and emotional — that much easier. Here are tips...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey
Quick poll: who is super excited for their colonoscopy prep and procedure? Yup, thought so. Truthfully, I’m not sure why they get such a bad rap. It’s a quick and easy medical procedure that gets you a day off work, plus that ever popular colon cleanse...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
If you’re looking for an outdoor space where you can do some hiking, the kids can play, you can enjoy a picnic, or just sit and zen out for a bit, the Dawes Arboretum has a space for that. This park offers a variety of exhibits and environments, including spaces...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey
It’s not like anyone plans on a cancer diagnosis, so how are we supposed to know what to do with if we get the news? There are a lot of things we learn too late. Either it’s too late to utilize that resource, or we’ve already spent hours upon hours of online...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
As with anything one does for the first time, the learning curve was steep as a rookie backpacker! Even though I had been looking forward to this trip since March, I really didn’t do much planning in the seven months until it came to fruition. I looked into...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
With the fall colors and cooler temperatures, it’s been the perfect weather for hiking Hocking Hills with kids. Trying to entertain a toddler with a super short attention span is difficult, hiking is a good way to keep her entertained! Hocking Hills in...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
Slate Run Metro Park, located in Canal Winchester less than 15 miles south of downtown Columbus, Ohio, is such an incredible park for families! There’s hiking, a natural play area for kids, picnic tables, playgrounds, a dog-friendly trail, a marsh, and the Slate...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
When I first ventured into solo female travel, I was met with all sorts of concern. Family, friends, and even strangers meant well, but several of them immediately translated “solo female travel” to some equivalent of me becoming prey to assault, kidnapping, or worse....
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey
Most of us are familiar with chemotherapy medications having a ton of side effects. Like, an obnoxious amount. And your doctors and nurses will warn you of many of the big, common ones. But this article is about the unexpected chemo side effects. THe ones you hear...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
Even small-town Ohio can have some fascinating history and historical characters! One such person is General William Tecumseh Sherman, who played a crucial role in the Union’s victory during the Civil War. (Sorry, Atlanta.) Today, you can visit The Sherman...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey
In April, I wrote an honest review of The Radiant Wrap. These silky-feeling or cotton wraps are designed by a breast cancer survivor with radiation patients in mind. I loved the look and feel of the wrap! But I found that I had a hard time utilizing it for radiation...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
The Mansfield Reformatory, also known as The Ohio State Reformatory, is chock full of fascinating history! Whether you’re into the history, movie sets, paranormal activity, or want to visit an epic haunted house, the Mansfield Reformatory is the perfect stop....
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey
This article is a comprehensive list of the Taxol side effects I experienced and heard of, with tips on how to mitigate them. You can also check out my other chemo regimen — Chemo Survival Guide to Adriamycin and Cytoxan. As with that article, allow me...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
When you think of attractions in Ohio, you probably think of things like Cedar Point and Kings Island, or football games with die-hard fans. Maybe you think we only have corn fields and there is literally nothing attractive about the state. But I bet your first...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
Let’s be real, summers in Ohio are humid and you never know what sort of weather you’re actually going to get. Especially in August. Usually we have temperatures in the 90s with humidity, maybe a pop-up thunderstorm; somehow this year we started off with temps in the...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey, Adventure After Diagnosis
One of the most iconic scenes regarding cancer is people in outrageous outfits and tutus at a cancer walk fundraiser. Even if you’ve never had a family member diagnosed, you’ve likely seen or participated in one of the events. Somewhere along the way, I think...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
I enjoy a good glass of wine. It’s even better when there’s a designated driver and you’re hitting up three different wineries. And better still when you’re supporting local with three different eastern Ohio wineries! Thankfully, Fun Bus had the same idea...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis
The Fairfield County Infirmary in Lancaster, Ohio, is one of those buildings that looks unsuspecting on the outside, but is full of history, heartbreak, and hauntings on the inside. From infirmary, to office building, to preserved historical site, this building has a...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Adventure After Diagnosis, Cancer Journey
Many people have heard about how Vitamin D can help reduce one’s risk of cancer. But we’ve also heard about how sun exposure can increase our risk of skin cancer. So where’s the balance between Vitamin D and sunscreen? I don’t know about you, but I...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 | Cancer Journey
Thanks to modern technology, we have a variety of options when it comes to breast reconstruction! DIEP flap reconstruction, breast implants, and aesthetic flat closure tend to be the most popular choices. But there’s also TRAM flap, lat flap, and a few other...
