My name is Julie, I am 37 years old and I am many things.... I am a woman, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a police officer, a beach and indoor volleyball player, coach as well as referee, and I am also what I prefer to call a
Music is magical. It can inspire, it can soothe, it can energize. For patients, music can serve as a vital outlet, a medium to express your anger, frustration, fear and joy. It has even been found to have a physical benefit for patients. Throughout my treatment for leukemia, music was
July 25th marks four years since my brother died at the age of 35. It was an acute illness: he went into the hospital on Thursday and died Monday evening. My grief was all-encompassing. As I wrote in a personal blog, "I was so angry at the medical personnel
When I think spring, I think green. The various shades of green dazzle the eyes, but nothing signals the start of spring like the clean-cut outfield in a baseball stadium, the bright green a stark contrast to the brown dirt infield. I wasn’t always a baseball fan. I mean,
Developing A Bond I first met Dr. Kales on the ninth floor of Fairfax Hospital in January, 2005. He explained my diagnosis and outlined the treatment I would receive in the months to come. He was serious yet kind, concerned but hopeful. He directed his comments and questions to me
Originally published April 29, 2010 According to the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), a cancer survivor is “anyone with a history of cancer, from the time of diagnosis and for the remainder of life, whether that is days or decades”. I recently learned that the phrase “cancer survivor” was
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” How many times have you heard that phrase? I’ve heard it so often, I only now realize that I never gave much thought to its meaning. Think about it though...it’s so simple yet so wise! If you have
When I think spring, I think green. The various shades of green dazzle the eyes, but nothing signals the start of spring like the clean-cut outfield in a baseball stadium, the bright green a stark contrast to the brown dirt infield. I wasn’t always a baseball fan. I mean,
The isolation of illness is real. Not only because you don’t feel well enough to go out in public, but because some treatments suppress a patient’s immune system, making it physically unsafe for them to be around large crowds and even family and friends. Every time I was
The assist is one of the most important and underappreciated stats in sports. It’s the largest contributor to scoring, and without assists, the games would not be as productive or compelling. Whether it’s a volleyball player setting the ball for a kill by a hitter or a point
You are so brave. I’ve realized over the years that those four words grate on the nerves of many cancer patients. I’m always up for a compliment, so I wasn’t quite sure why others were bothered by the phrase. Their explanation: “I’m not brave, I’m
November 27, 2013 — I was at a coffee shop this morning when I heard the man next to me say "Use it to pay for the next person who walks in and tell them Happy Turkey Day from anonymous!" I looked over and saw extra cash sitting on
