Patient & Researcher Blog
Here I aim to capture what I am learning as a newbie researcher from a patient perspective.
Living with a slow growing brain cancer
It is taboo for researchers to talk about their work before it is published.
I think that’s a bummer.
My favorite part about research is learning new things in real time. Here I share my observations as a learner and my n of 1 (personal) findings as a patient.
Note: I started blogging about brain cancer in 2008, at age 29.
I had no background or knowledge about healthcare when I began. Please excuse typos and other misconceptions. What you read here is me in real time, like a time capsule.
There are more than 500 posts here. Use this search to look for something specific. Good luck!
MRI looming and I’m just happy to be alive
At work today I ran into a woman I rarely see around the building. She said, "How are you liking it here?" And I said, "It's great!" And she said, "Well, you sound happy!" And out of nowhere I blurted, "I'm just happy to be alive!"
Manage constipation like a boss
Constipation is the most difficult side effect I’ve had to deal with while taking temozolomide (chemotherapy). In the past it has gotten to the point where I wouldn't want to bend over, sit up, breathe, or hug anyone. I mentioned all of this to my nurse practitioner and she passed along some valuable tips to help me attack constipation before it strikes. I wish it hadn’t taken seven months for me to learn this.