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Archive for the ‘Guest Posts’ Category

Happy Birthday, Beatrix Potter!

Posted by Katie on July 28, 2010 in Guest Posts

Today we’re celebrating the birthday of beloved children’s author and storyteller, Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix grew up in London but spent her summers in the English Lake District and Scottish Highlands exploring the countryside with her brother. These explorations developed her deep appreciation of nature and her fascination with plants and animals.

Years later, Beatrix began writing short stories and greeting cards that reflected her love of nature for the children of her governesses. One such story would become the basis of her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The book was a huge success and Beatrix soon acquired a publishing deal with Warne & Co. Beatrix went on to release 22 more books before retiring to a life devoted to looking after her farms.

Her writing style has proven to withstand the test of time and her books continue to be read by children throughout the world. Happy birthday, Beatrix Potter!

Tip Tuesday: Embrace your geekness day

Posted by Katie on July 13, 2010 in Guest Posts

We have good news for brainiacs everywhere. Today, July 13th, is “Embrace Your Geekness Day!”

Wondering how you can tell if you’re really a geek? We found this humorous guide called “You know you are a nerd when…” on Femalenerd.com. Here are some of our favorites:

You know you are a geek:

  • when you can remember your 10 favorite URLs but not your own zip code.
  • when your family e-mails you because that’s the only way to get in touch with you
  • when your first thought isn’t small and furry when you hear the word “mouse.”
  • when someone mentions java and coffee is the second thing that goes through your mind.
  • when asked to give your address, you don’t think twice before rattling off your e-mail address instead of your postal address.
  • when your dog has his own homepage.

So bust out those pocket protectors, start fiddling with your calculator, and put on some Star Trek gear—who cares, it’s your day!

Happy Birthday Shirley Temple!

Posted by Katie on April 23, 2010 in Guest Posts

shirleytempleHappy birthday to childhood sweetheart Shirley Temple!

Who could forget those curly locks?

Shirley has been a star since 1932, beginning her career at the age of 3! During her childhood years, Shirley received a special Academy Award in 1935 and appeared in hits such as Curly Top and Heidi.

And now a little blast from the past! Check out the Shirley Temple we fell in love with all those years ago!

Guest Post: The wisdom of patients

Posted by Judy Feder on October 01, 2009 in Guest Posts

Another birthday and it’s been all cancer all the time since at least the 16th, so much to think about, including my desire for more birthdays for me and the world. I got a lot done this year, including a good quality of life since starting  Herceptin therapy for my breast cancer (which spread to my lung and liver) last January.

I had the summer I wanted, and made it to Toronto by the skin of my teeth on the 16th to present a paper on my passion for the wisdom of patients. In fact, this is the first time I formally got to survey cancer and other chronic disease communities … happily proving my point that this is not just a cancer-driven phenomenon, but a deep-seated need to make meaning of our journeys with our fellow brothers and sisters … and contribute our considerable patient wisdom to the health care mainstream. Yes!!!

But I crawled into MRI office on Saturday AM, and learned that my cancer spread to my brain, probably months ago. An emergency craniotomy on Monday the 20th, way too long in the ICU, and I find out today, MY BIRTHDAY, that I go home tomorrow. To … radiation, more chemo, much of what I’d lived with for almost 8 years, although let no one tell you there is anything like brain surgery!

I am so full of life and the desire to see more birthdays for me and those I love. No Pollyanna – I lost way too many sisters this year. But, boy, I’ve found others like the wondrous Katrina, a single mom in Oakland with whom I share lung and liver metastases, and a healthy skepticism for anything maudlin. She blithely went to see family in England and blew off treatment for a couple weeks. She calls my brain metastases boll weevils, whatever those are! We are so devoted. We’ve never met. We want so much to be there for our gorgeous children.

I want to watch Duff of “Ace of Cakes” and make a healthier red velvet cake for all who want their birthdays to mean a little bit more. I want to give moms a clue how they can imbue a kids’ party with great good by letting them make Sophia’s Garden StoryFlags™ to send to a kid with cancer, or tie together for an American Cancer Society Relay For Life event … having the time of their lives and creating something beautiful to boot.

I want to give my patient wisdom, not in cyberhugs, but doses of the real emotional currency of cancer – information –that we alone as patients have – on treatment, side effects, you know!

I will be a proud member of the American Cancer Society’s movement for more birthdays for as long as I can. Life before cancer? Don’t remember. Choosing life? Every day, if I can. No better way to say that than with a birthday.