Why I’m so ready to help people get this product.

Healios is a powdered product from Enlivity that, when mixed with water, is used to heal throat and mouth sores. It’s benefits include helping to manage sores, reduce difficulty in swallowing and it supports oral health and healing. 

It’s expensive and not covered by insurance. Many Cancer patients cannot afford spending $300. Times are super tough for a lot of people. Many many more people are unable to afford health care anymore.

Please join me in raising funds to send this product to radiology centers. There shouldn’t be financial barriers to having all of the available support when you are going through Cancer. Together we can make their  journey a little easier to manage and less painful.

Meds on a Somewhat Faulty Memory. 

I’ve always missed a dose here and there. With Cancer it seemed a good idea to keep better track. I put this in my sketchbook and kept accurate track. Nurses were pretty impressed when I could fill out those forms and write down end dates. I like praise as much as anybody and it felt good to show that I was as devoted to my cure as them.

PLACEHOLDER

My note to everybody when I was ready to emerge from my cocoon.

I didn’t want to talk about it but I did tell all my students to make sure they have the HPV Vaccine and that all their children, grandchildren, girls and boys get the vaccine. It’s amazing, we have a vaccine that can stop 5% of Cancers. I LOVE Science!
I’m very fortunate to be able to go on sabbatical I wanted to send this out, people heard I had cancer and are amazed that I feel better…but I’d didn’t have the struggle BEFORE treatment, It's interesting. I felt fine and I went to my regular yearly physical appointment in September and my doctor said we should get that checked out and I'm like what, really?  So I listened I said ok and I went and then got some tests done out then.... I got treatment and that part was yucky, but I feel great now because I lost 25 pounds and I'm eating better and I hate sugar and chocolate! It's a side effect of throat radiation. (I don't recommend it as a way to lose weight)
So I'm very lucky, And I've had the same Dr for 20 years, she is awesome The MGH docs were astounded that she found it! Please share this with people who ask..

When You’re on the Table.

I started to write up what happens during treatment and realized that thinking about it was exactly what I don’t want to do. Google it.

This is the note I gave the staff in the radiation chamber:
Hey my Radiation Angels, this might be asking a lot but that mask thing is quite scary. I’m trying to figure out ways to keep from freaking out. Please

1. Hide the Mask till I’m on the table and closed my eyes. 2. Mouthguard then Mask.
3. Start music when treatment starts. 4. Hand Pegs, it really helps to hold onto something!

 Playlist: (You can ask the Staff…mine were  super cool about my request)
Grace Jones, “La Vie en Rose” • Marting Girault, “Revival” • Golden Earring, “Radar Love” • Sade, “The Sweetest Taboo “Smooth Operator” • Deee-Lite, “Groove is in the Heart” • Thievery Corporation, “Letter to the Editor” • Temptations, “Papa was a Rolling Stone” • Cottonbelly+Sade, “By Your Side”

Take Charge of the Conversation

This is your journey.

If you want to talk about it that’s cool. I did with family, but decided that with friends I’d rather talk about anything else. They understood especially after I sent out the email below

Everybody knows about Cancer and many people know someone who had it and want to share the story.

I really don’t like hearing these stories…really never have. If someone posts a pic of their recent wound on Instagram, well, that’s an instant block. 

Just know I’m an Eagle scout, and I have used my First Aid training. 

Write Your Script

This was my note to everybody when I was ready to rejoin the world.

This worked for me. Use this one if you like, tweak it to fit your xeperiance.

I wanted to send this out, people heard I had cancer and are amazed that I feel better…but I’d didn’t have the struggle BEFORE treatment, It's interesting. I felt fine and I went to my regular yearly physical appointment in September and Dr Cunningham said ‘We should get that checked out.” and I'm like what, really?  So I listened, said ok and went and got some tests done.

I got treatment and that part was yucky, I feel great now because I lost 25 pounds and I'm eating better and I hate sugar and chocolate! It's a side effect of throat radiation. I don't recommend it as a way to lose weight. ;)  

So I'm very lucky, And I've had the same Dr for 20 years, she is awesome. The MGH docs were astounded that she found it!

Please share this with people who ask…

P.S. Now that you know, we should talk about anything else!