by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be searching the internet for “how to prepare for a hysterectomy,” but at age 36 that’s exactly where I found myself. I imagine you never thought the same for yourself, did you? But since this is where life has brought...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, you will likely have a hundred questions to ask your oncologist about what this means and what’s to come. But sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to ask when you’re still shellshocked by the news. To help give you a...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
We learn A TON going through cancer treatment! We’ve learned how to manage side effects of medications, resources that helped us through, coping mechanisms, and how to advocate for ourselves. After treatment, some survivors are ready to leave it all behind them and...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
Hearing the words “you have cancer” is enough to make even the most resilient among us stop in their tracks. It’s a heavy phrase that no one ever wants to hear. And yet, according to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.8 million people will hear that phrase...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
If you’ve done much research at all on DIEP flap breast reconstruction, you probably already know it’s a doozey of a procedure. With a long recovery timeline, there’s definitely some prep work that needs to be done before surgery! For those reading this who may...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | 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 Dec 3, 2023 | 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 Dec 3, 2023 | 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 Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
Most of us are familiar with chemotherapy medications having a ton of side effects. Like, an obnoxious amount. If Adriamycin/Cytoxan or Taxol are in your chemo regimen, be sure to check out these two articles about common side effects! These are the side...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | 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 Dec 3, 2023 | 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. If you’ve followed me for very long or have perused my other articles, you know I’ve already posted one article on the Chemo Survival Guide to...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Adventure After Diagnosis, Cancer Journey
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 Dec 3, 2023 | 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 Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
To flap, or not to flap? Heck, that’s only part of the question. Even if you answer that and yes, thank you very much, I’d like flap reconstruction, now you have to decide which flap. TRAM flap? DIEP flap? Lat flap? (Who knew our bodies were so flappy?!) ...
by Beth DeLong | Last updated Dec 3, 2023 | Cancer Journey
It’s pretty much a universally known fact that undergoing chemotherapy sucks. You don’t feel well, you’re tired, and there’s a whole lot more of your body that’s affected than just cancer cells. Hence, it’s helpful to know potential chemo side effects for...
