My Unexpected Journey Blog - Page 2 of 7

MRI Today, Oncology Tomorrow – A Little Earlier than Expected

Aug 27, 201923 CommentsUncategorized

So, I’ve not been posting recently – overall, I’ve been enjoying a pretty great summer:) The highlight was a two-week girls’ road trip to Iowa for Hannah and me. Hannah had been accepted into the Young Writers Program at the University of Iowa (a fine, fine program I might add) where she spent two weeks in July with other young writers, led by graduates of the renowned Iowa MFA program. So now she probably knows more than I do about magical realism. (Okay, so that wouldn’t take much.) We took two weeks to drive all the way to Iowa, stopping to […]

To the Universe

Mar 23, 20192 CommentsUncategorizedJoy, Wonder

I feel like a wonder today. I can’t help it, I just do. I’m so happy and filled with this bubble-up kind of joy, so much so that I suddenly could hear the words of music effervescing in my mind. Suddenly, I was singing: Doctors have come from distant cities, just to see me Stand over my bed, disbelieving what they’re seeing They say I must be one of the wonders Of God’s own creation And as far as they see, they can offer No explanation Newspapers ask intimate questions, want confessions They reach into my head to steal, the […]

Miracles

Mar 19, 201932 CommentsBrain Tumor, Miracles, MRI, Oncologist Visits, ScanxietyBrain cancer miracles, Louise L. Hay, miracles, MRI Results, oligodendroglioma, oncologist, You Can Heal Your Life

No beating around the bush for me – the news from Charlottesville tonight is great! There has been no new growth of the tumor since my last MRI (September 2018)! Wooooooooot! To say I am thrilled would be an understatement. I am so, so happy and grateful. It’s yet another miracle in my life. I’m learning to believe in them. Really. Here’s my story about miracles. I usually take time to prepare myself for my oncology appointments before I go to them. Often, I’ll do some reading about oligodendroglioma tumors and new treatment options. I try to read both actual […]

My Most Recent MRI Results – Not What We’d Hoped

Oct 31, 201874 CommentsUncategorizedBrain Cancer, Fran Cannon Slayton, MRI, MRI Results

I haven’t blogged in a long time. Here’s the reason I’ve been quiet: in the past six months I’ve been relishing my ability to live a pretty “normal” life. Until my most recent MRI about a month ago, I hadn’t really been to the doctor for a good six months. In fact, I’ve been feeling pretty dang good since going on the ketogenic diet last November – it’s totally changed my life, giving me enough energy to go from eight in the morning to ten (or even eleven) at night. No, I’m not the energizer bunny, but I’ve really been […]

Balance: On Doing More

May 15, 201819 CommentsUncategorized

So, I haven’t blogged here for a long time. I am very happy to tell you the reason is a very good one — I’ve been feeling a LOT better, so I’ve been getting out there in the world again! Last November, I had a little scare with my MRI — a “minimal change” that reminded me all too clearly that my cancer is “supposed” to come back at some point. Frankly, it was a huge wake up call to me that life is short that time moves fast. As a result of this not-so-gentle reminder, I started thinking about […]

Snowball Moon Book Signings!

Dec 5, 2017Cancer MilestonesBrain Cancer, Cancer Milestones, Children's Author Brain Cancer, Fran Cannon Slayton

This is a fun video trailer post! My new book, Snowball Moon is out – just in time for the holidays! If you are looking for a gift for a kiddo in the 0-6 age range, you can get a copy of Snowball Moon at Amazon or your favorite local Indie Store. Or, for a signed copy (and a fun visit!) please stop by one of my two upcoming book signings in Charlottesville – I would love to see you! Saturday, December 9th at 10:30 New Dominion Book Shop The Downtown Mall Hot Cocoa Served! Saturday, December 16th from […]

So, it’s been a long time

Nov 28, 201727 CommentsBrain Tumor, Fatigue, MRI, Scanxiety, UncategorizedBrain Cancer, MRI Results

I haven’t posted in awhile. I guess it’s because I’ve been out there “living my life.” This is a good thing. I’ve been to New York for vacation this summer, where I walked a slow five miles in the heat. And I’ve been to Arizona for a business trip with Marshall. And I just got back from Florida for Thanksgiving with my family. The business trip went well. New York and Florida were home exchanges, and both were really amazing! In between, I’ve been up and down energy-wise. Sometimes I feel pretty good. Other times I feel pretty tired. I’ve […]

I’ve Been Asked to Speak at the Indivisible Health Care Rally Tonight – Please Come!

Jul 18, 20172 CommentsUncategorized

I’m sorry I haven’t blogged for so long. My pretty decent excuse: I’ve been seriously considering running for Congress in 2018. Why? Because everyone seems to remember the woman with brain cancer who would lose her health insurance if any of the recent health insurance bills become law. I’d like to use my brain cancer (and my brain, too) to effect good in the world. Becoming a Member of Congress seemed like a good way of doing this. But I have decided not to run. More on why later, but for now let’s just say – it’s all about money. Still, I […]

Proposed Health Care Amendment Will Bankrupt Small Business Owners

May 3, 20171 CommentUncategorized

NY Times Article – The Rest of the Story My picture was in the New York Times yesterday as part of an article outlining the real world effects of the healthcare bill that is currently up for debate in the House of Representatives; the bill may go up for a vote today, Thursday, May 4th. Here’s the rest of the story that the Times didn’t report: I was diagnosed with brain cancer in January, 2016. Our family had (and still has) insurance through the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as Obamacare. My husband, Marshall, is a solo attorney – […]

Reframing the Language of Cancer

May 2, 20172 CommentsBrain Tumor, Cancer Surgery, Language of Cancer, Uncategorized

I’ve been thinking for a long time about the language, labels, and metaphors that surround having brain – or any other kind of – cancer. In particular, I’ve been thinking about how I have consistently been told that I am fighting or battling cancer and that I am now a cancer survivor. Fighting. Battling. Surviving. Personally, I don’t identify with any of these words. Why? All of them are inherently violent, reminiscent of the war against cancer that I am supposed to be involved in. The problem with this is that I don’t want to live my remaining days engaged […]