A cancer survivor's guide on coping after chemo, with tips for managing side effects, setting goals, and embracing a new normal.

But as with most of life’s greatest joys, that view was hard won.

Man, I wish my biggest fear were the things that go bump in the night. But I am struggling. I don't think I expected to still be...

October 4, 2021 Make a plan, and then be ready to change everything. Everyone told me this over and over again about childbirth - and...

September 17, 2021 This is a hard season, I don’t think anyone would disagree with me on that. I have my bad days, those hard moments...

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 I can hardly believe that the day has finally come. I know we always say it feels like summer flies by, but...

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 It is almost time for my brother's wedding!!! My brain is focused today on wrapping things up at work so...

Thursday, August 26, 2021 Well today’s chemo made for an interesting challenge. Without a port, I have to have blood drawn from my arm...

August 30, 2021 “There are no random acts. We are all connected. You can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a...

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 I went to bed last night with pain and anxiety about the surgery and woke up ready to get this thing outta me....

Monday, August 23, 2021 I’ve been struggling today, the past couple days really. Emotionally, physically, I’ve been struggling. I had a...

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Everything went smoothly for this round of chemo. I checked in at 8am and this time I decided to bring my...

Thursday, July 29, 2021 I woke up a bit apprehensive, Thursdays are usually the start of my “tough days” during chemo weeks. But I felt...

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Today felt like it dragged on foreverrrrr. I went into the Cancer Center at 8am and didn’t head home until about...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 Poor Macy girl had to stay home from school today - she and ¾ of her classroom at daycare, has RSV. She’s been...

July 13, 2021 Today was my last round of Adriamycin and Cytoxan (AC) chemotherapy! It was unfortunately the most nauseous that I’ve ever...

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Felt pretty good today, thank you WBC shot. Red blood cells are pretty low after blood draw… not sure if I...

June 29, 2021 I can officially never again eat an Italian ice. You know the ones that you get at baseball games - lemon, strawberry - you...

Friday, June 25, 2021 I took the afternoon off today to join my mom and Jessa in Champaign to meet with a wonderful leukemia survivor,...

Thursday, June 17, 2021 I was able to be up a bit longer this morning. I helped Macy get ready for daycare and then sat with my mom for...