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Where I’m From
I’m from dead end roads and International Harvester From man-made lakes and homes built into hills Bonfire pits and roasting marshmallows I’m from cheese curds and root beers stands I’m from Barbies and bike rides Lilac trees and Pine Cone Road I’m from Cory and Topanga, Tia and Tamera American Girl Dolls, Caddie Woodlawn and Laura Ingalls I’m from football fields and baseball diamonds Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks I’m from Friday Night Lights…
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7 Ways to Prevent a Blood Sugar Spike
It can seem difficult to prevent a blood sugar spike, especially if you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. But it doesn’t have to be! When I was first diagnosed with prediabetes about 2 years ago, it felt overwhelming. I didn’t even know what caused blood sugar to spike, let alone how to prevent it. My doctor gave me barely any guidance and no resources. Did I need to eliminate all sugar? Was I…
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Could’ve Would’ve Should’ve (the Cancerversary edition)
Today was supposed to mark my 8th year cancer free. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t bringing up a lot of emotions: In January of 2015, I was living in Chicago, working for the Cubs and knew very little about melanoma. The sum of all I knew was learned in a college health class, taken only to fulfill a general education credit. I’m not even sure how long the mole was there, only…
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3 Coffee Shops You Need to Visit in Kansas City
Any time I’m planning a trip, the first thing I do is Google cute coffee shops. I can’t help it, I take my coffee aesthetic very seriously! Some of the things that I look for are coffee quality (small-batch roasted or organic are preferred), interior decor (don’t judge me – taking IG worthy pics makes me happy), and food options. Let me tell you, Kansas City did not disappoint! Thou Mayest “Thou Mayest” means life…
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The Truth About Mental Health and Melanoma
“I don’t want to die.” I didn’t even realize I was thinking the words until the tears were flowing down my cheeks. It’s been a rough month for me. When it comes to my health, things have felt a little too real and my future a little too uncertain. I’ve had four biopsies, scheduled another surgery, had three ultrasounds, found out I’m at increased risk for breast cancer, began the discussion around genetic testing and…
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Ashley Williams: Desmoid Tumors, The Cancer Community and Celebrating the Small Stuff
It was an emotional episode as Ashley and I discussed trauma triggers and feeling like we have to justify our place (to ourselves!) in the cancer community. Ashley was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor, a type of sarcoma, shortly after a serious car accident in 2015. Since then, she’s become a powerful advocate for mental health awareness in the cancer journey and has been a speaker at Stupid Cancer and other spaces dedicated to providing…
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Sally Fowler: CRPS, Navigating Loss and Advocating for Your Own Health
Sally Fowler shares what it’s like to live with CRPS, how her diagnosis felt like losing both her identity and her mom, and how she’s been able to reimagine what her future looks like. She discusses the many things she’s lost due to CRPS and how she’s been able to find ways to incorporate some of those things back into her life. Sally also talks about how her CRPS led her to a completely new…
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Leah Adams: Self Image and Scars, Mental Health, Marathons and Metastatic Melanoma
Leah Adams shares her personal journey with melanoma, how it intertwines with her dad’s cancer story and how cancer brought them together. She also discusses how melanoma temporarily took running from her and navigating new ways to manage her mental health while processing a cancer diagnosis. Leah talks about her own regrets with tanning and shares how she’s learned to overcome society’s definition of beauty that played a role in using tanning beds to start…
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A New Outlook on the New Year
I have complicated feelings about New Year’s in general. On the one hand, I love new beginnings and the idea of a fresh start. On the other, I hate resolutions and think New Year’s Eve is completely overrated. I’ve always felt this perceived pressure to go out to a large NYE party with bottles popping, glittering outfits and midnight kisses or face intense feelings of FOMO. But when I did go, I usually ended up…
