Family Ties: Navigating cancers together

I used to really enjoy hearing the Letterman's Top Ten on the radio, the day after it was broadcast on TV.  I've never been much of a night owl, so never watched much of late night TV.  Even SNL, I would barely make it to the first musical guest appearance.  With the internet it is now possible to watch all the best parts of late night TV shows but, back in the day, we depended on the good ole FM radio to play the best clips.    I've been wanting to write about the (ugh) " gifts"  of cancer for a while, but in a non- cheesy kind of way, so this is it...it won't be humourous like Letterman's but it will be honest. (((drumroll))) Top Ten Gifts of Cancer: 10. Finding c r e at i v e outlets - I would never call myself an "arts and crafts" kind of person, but creativity has many facets and I've found that I actually enjoy re-finishing old furniture (especially ones that I get free from the side of the road!).  This is something that I never woul...

I've been wanting to write an update for a while but kept waiting until I felt like I had something positive to say - especially after my last post. The reality is that throughout April, many things got worse - the pain in my elbow, the tightness in my chest, the urge to be alone, the feeling that I should be doing more to heal.  I've been seeing 2 different physiotherapists and a registered massage therapist to deal with the radiation fibrosis in my chest that is compressing my ulnar nerve in at least 2 spots and resulting in elbow pain.  The pain is nearly constant and bothers me with even the smallest of tasks, like washing my face in the morning or doing a short neighbourhood bike ride.  It's been a constant, unyielding, reminder of having had cancer. It's also physically and emotionally exhausting. The physio and massage therapy is also painful, as I want them to be as aggressive as possible to deal with the scar tissue before it gets worse.  Many times, I leave...