Tag: family and friends

Five of My Favorite Gift Ideas from a Patient Advocate

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There are a variety of celebrations across the globe as the year ends. Holidays, giving, tangible gifts! We love to wrap packages in pretty bows and paper to give to family and friends. I want to talk about the intangible gifts of the holidays. The gifts that are in our hearts. Gifts not always easy to find or give. Perhaps this is my reflection on the gifts I have received from so many this past year. What are my five favorite gift ideas from a patient advocate? The Gift of Compassion Whether you have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer or are considering breast reconstruction after mastectomy, the gift of compassion is priceless. The most well-meaning friends and family can say comments we don’t always appreciate. The truth is, friends and family do not always know what to say. What can you do? Hold a hand if you are with Continue Reading →

Going Home: A Breast Reconstruction Advocate’s Story of Love and Loss

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Fall has been a roller coaster of emotions for me from love to loss. There are times in our lives when we seem to be floating through events, whether good or bad, simply putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. I garner strength surrounding myself with the love of friends and family during these times. This is the account of my Journey and the symbolism behind the phrase, “Going Home”. The moving van pulled up to our home in late October to load and pack our household goods. We packed our car with as much as we could cram into it for the 1650 miles road trip to our new home. The evening before we left, I received a phone call from my Mom. I choked back tears as I talked to her about Dad. The hospice nurse assessed his vitals and we knew he had Continue Reading →