ATM Mutation, Part 4 - My DadCancer affects the entire family in a variety of ways. Cancer isn't a new subject in my family, but discovering that many of us carry the ATM germline mutation in the...reactionscomments
Finding the Right Care Team for MeSo hard to believe that it will be one year since my diagnosis on April 24, 2018. If you asked me what I would have done differently, I would say...reactionscomments
Is a Clinical Trial Right for Me? 5 Questions to Help You DecideMaking decisions can be tough, especially when they relate to your health! One decision you may face is whether or not participating in a clinical trial is right for you...reactionscomments
I Want a Cure, But I'll Settle for ChronicMy first dose of reality came when I was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC). That was the day the pink-colored glasses came off, and I learned that...reactionscomments
Will I Need to Pay to Be in a Clinical Trial?Clinical trials can provide an opportunity for patients to receive the latest treatment, provide a new treatment option for those whose previous treatment didn’t work, and allow patients to be...reactionscomments
Five Helpful Tips for CaregiversReceiving a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer can be a life-altering experience, not only for the person diagnosed but also for the spouse, child, parent or friend who becomes the...reactionscomments
Where I Find MyselfThis is not what I wanted, but this is what I got. I am new to the metastatic breast cancer world (diagnosed on April 24, 2018). Since my diagnosis, there...reactionscomments
Living With: An Interview with Advocate Susan RahnI recently had the opportunity to interview AdvancedBreastCancer.net advocate Susan Rahn for the Health Union podcast, Living With. Since her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in 2013, Susan has...reactions2comments
The Importance of Knowing Your Sub-TypeThere is important information about every individual person’s cancer that doctors need to know to recommend the most effective treatment. The type refers to the specific kind of breast tissue...reactionscomments
Ask and You Might Receive: Financial Assistance for Testing & Medication Might Be Easier Than You ThinkThe Guardant Health Test, (genomic testing) is a simple blood test that comes with a high price tag. Some of the expense was covered by insurance, but for me, it...reactionscomments
4 Simple Steps to Making the Most of Your AppointmentsHearing that you have cancer for the first time can be incredibly overwhelming. In fact, many patients feel that they are in shock after hearing the news, and have difficulty...reactionscomments
Clinical Trials as a Treatment OptionWhen you’re dealing with a major health issue or condition, it’s helpful to know that in addition to standard treatment, complementary or alternative medicine, clinical trials may provide another treatment...reactionscomments
Getting a Good Night’s SleepWhen I was first diagnosed in April 2018, metastatic breast cancer kept me up at night. I micromanaged my blood work results, tumor markers and researched results for my scans...reactionscomments
Living Like an OutlierChances are, I probably won’t see my 40th birthday. In fact, a recent study published by the National Institute of Health estimates only about 15 percent of metastatic breast cancer...reactions3comments
The Road Less TraveledIt was a cold November day, I remember the date clearly. It was November 9, 2000. I was 47 years old and had two daughters in high school. The diagnosis...reactionscomments
Making Medical Decisions That Work for YouShared decision-making is a collaborative process that allows patients and their healthcare team to make health-related decisions together. This process takes into consideration the most up-to-date clinical information and research...reactions4comments
How Do I Prevent and Manage Lymphedema?Lymphedema is swelling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. People with breast cancer often see it right after surgery to remove lymph nodes. The condition tends to gradually recede...reactionscomments
Find Your Advocate: Oncology Social WorkNavigating a new cancer diagnosis and treatment can be challenging and overwhelming. You may have a lot of questions that come up, some that you never imagined you’d be asking...reactionscomments
Positive Attitude - How Important Is It Really?After receiving a cancer diagnosis, many people find themselves bombarded with well-intentioned family and friends offering advice. This advice takes many forms-books on nutrition, articles about new treatments, and very...reactions4comments
Understanding Clinical TrialsA clinical trial is a research study that is conducted to determine whether a specific medical intervention, such as a treatment, device, procedure, or change in behavior is safe and...reactionscomments
