After an MRI, the doctor pulled me and my husband, Tom, into the hallway, just like in the movies, and told us that our son had a brain tumor. The next year, in May 2013, we held a fundraiser for pediatric cancer at a local springtime festival. Not knowing our story, one parent looked at me and sighed, exasperated, “We are always raising money for cancer!” Caught off guard, I murmured something but then continued to wonder at her statement. I used to be her.  → Read More

It’s clear to you immediately that you can have anything you want when you have cancer. Word spreads, and your doorstep shows it—a cheery bunch of Gerber daisies, a little tin of peanut butter cookies, a calla lily. The phone calls are endless. You think to yourself that your diagnosis is probably generating as much curiosity and awkwardness as winning the lottery would. Except two people who still want you to find their bunny—not that one!—and fill up their sippy cup and read them a book.  → Read More

When Wendy Holman noticed her hair was falling out, she immediately assumed the cause to be a recent hair color treatment, and even changed stylists. However, what she thought was one bad hair week quickly turned into a nightmare.  → Read More

In 2011, popular blogger, designer and DIYer behind the Lil Blue Boo clothing line, Ashley Hackshaw, thought she was pregnant. But her joy was soon dashed when the pregnancy didn’t take and instead, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Instead of planning for baby #2, she embarked on one of the most difficult journeys of her life. Ashley shares the secrets behind her crafts, her business, and life as a mom and wife on her blog, so when it came time to say farewell to her long, blond locks and shave her head, she decided to share that with her online community, too. It resulted in a video that had all of us in tears.  → Read More

In the United States, approximately 1 million women are diagnosed with cancer yearly, and of these about 10% are diagnosed before age 45 when reproduction is still a possibility or goal. The cancer most diagnosed in women less than age 45 is breast carcinoma, and the treatments usually involve a multi-drug chemotherapeutic regimen that is toxic to the oocyte population resting within the ovaries. Surgical removal of the ovaries and pelvic radiation are also commonly used treatments to battle cancer that will eliminate or greatly diminish fertility by ablating one’s egg reserve.  → Read More

Sitting on the couch after a long day at work, I went to adjust my bra and inadvertently grazed a small lump on my breast. I didn’t give it much thought because it was that time of the month and besides it’s not like it could have been anything serious, right? I was busy with work, short on sick time, and quite honestly I didn’t feel like spending the money for the insurance copayment so decided I would just wait until my annual exam in a few months.  → Read More