October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month set aside for educating the public about the disease, raising money to combat the cancer, and promoting screenings for both men and women. Though many communities across the U.S. are fighting back against breast cancer, the LGBTQ community is especially hard hit when it comes to any […]
Ashleigh Sunderlin hasn’t had it easy. At 23 years of age, a 17-pound tumor was removed from her abdomen. She lost a Fallopian tube and her right ovary when the tumor was removed. Years later, she discovered her right ovary had cysts in it, but they were removed with the chance of still being able […]
By Shannon Ralph When I was 10 years old, my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. He had fallen on hot metal at work following a seizure and, for the rest of his short life, he had a large burn mark on his upper arm in the shape of the continent of Africa. I thought […]
By Geri Gale/ The Seattle Lesbian I am a poet and have been told that people take my work out like they would a snifter of Grand Marnier and sip it because it’s so rich. But everything changed on December 6, 2012, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer – the same day Seattle […]
True Pablove is The Pablove Foundation’s signature family event. Each February, over 600 attendees of all ages enjoy a day filled with unique arts and crafts booths, live music, food, and a silent auction. Attendees create Valentines which brighten the day of inpatient children at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In just four years, True Pablove […]
By Tanya Dodd-Hise Chemotherapy finally ended in mid-October, and soon plans were being discussed about starting radiation. I had another surgery that I was waiting to have approved, one that would, for all intents and purposes, be my version of reconstruction. The surgeon needed to go back in and remove more skin and fat, as […]
By Tanya-Dodd-Hise So chemo is all done now, just over two months now actually, but I’m going to back track a little since I slacked off in my writing and updating. Once I got done with the first four rounds, I was halfway done, and oh so glad to be done with the Red Devil […]
By Tanya Dodd-Hise It’s midday on Monday. It has been one week since I went to my doctor and she confirmed the mass in my breast. It has been one week since I contacted the program who will ultimately (I hope) fund my diagnostic mammogram and sonogram, since I haven’t got insurance. It has been […]
By Tanya Dodd-Hise Today could very well be the beginning of a new, long journey. Who knows. But I suppose any day of our lives could be a turning point for any of us that we just don’t know – until it happens. Today was the day that I confirmed a fairly large mass in […]
By Shannon Ralph Kids listen. Even when you don’t think they listen. Even when you are discussing things you’d rather them not hear. They appear to be focused on their video game. Or up to their elbows in Crayola crafts. Or books. Or toys. But they hear you. All three of my kids were […]
