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STOMP OUT CANCER FROM THE KICK OFF

Stomp out cancer was the theme for the Oregon Ducks v Michigan State football game at Autzen stadium. It was a fitting theme in my family where cancer is no stranger. Maybe your family, too, but I hope not. Here’s what it looks like and sounds like:

CALM SURRENDER LIFESTYLE, AND DOG TRAINING

The first I’d heard of ‘calm surrender’ came from a chemo clinic nurse. I asked her what someone like me was supposed to do during cancer treatment. She said surrender calmly. I told her Gillaspie isn’t a French name. Nurse Michel was not amused, but she was right.

GROWING HOPE ON FALLOW LAND

Growing hope is my hope. Why? Because I like hopeful people. They do things I might try to do, go places I might like to go. In my work life I choose hope. Family life? I choose hope. Here’s now to grow hope in what feels like barren land.

WHY WRITERS BELIEVE IN READERS? IT TAKES BOTH

Writers believe the time they spend on their work is worthwhile. Opinions from others vary. Of course writers believe, but is their opinion the one that matters? After days and years of focus on a project, they’d better believe in their work. One sage said to choose a writing topic you love, because you’ll eventually […]

MEDICAL ADVICE TO IGNORE IN AN EMERGENCY

Medical advice is wasted on hypochondriacs. The problems they bring to an appointment change by the end. “It hurts when I do this,” turns into, “It hurts when I don’t do that. But now it’s something else.” Sound stressful? It is. It’s always something else. How do I know? Please continue.

WRITE A BOOK, THEY SAID, IT’LL BE FUN

    Long form writing is like a walk in the woods with no map. In the dark. With animal noises. And cliffs on both sides of the trail. If that isn’t a picture of adventure, what is? And all you need to do is sit down and write. And stay down. For a long […]

F CANCER WALK DOWN PORTLAND SOUTH PARK BLOCKS

  If holding paper from an institute of higher learning means anything, it means exposure to civil discourse.   I hold paper from Portland State University, so F Cancer.   Can I get a, “Hell Yeah!”

KNIGHT CANCER vs THE HUTCH

    Portland and Seattle have a storied rivalry throughout history, especially sports history.   Now it’s competition to find the cure for cancer. Let the games begin.   The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle has a super story out yesterday, huge story in the Seattle Times.   “The Hutch closes in on […]

CANCER MEMOIR, WRITING THE EXTRA SECRET TABOO

    Vice.com published a piece with a funny headline in 2012: Cancer Memoirs Are Breaking Out Like the Plague Now it’s 2017 and I’m writing a cancer memoir. Still funny? Yes, it is.

CANCER SURVIVORS CHECK-IN PRACTICE

  One thing bloggers do is read other blogs. It’s not a competitive thing. For some. I read for information, writing style, writers voice. The usuals. As the writer on a blog with over fifteen hundred posts, I’ve got a handle on the word part. Still working on word organization. Who isn’t. It’s a humbling […]