Tag: chemotherapy

• Three Things My Doctors Said

  

  I have three specific encounters with three extraordinary doctors that shaped who I am as a patient as well as what I know I need from the doctor/patient relationship.

  CarolynDem

  January 16, 2023

  About Me, HSCT

  advocacy, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, disability, doctor, healthcare, hospital stay, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, patient

• Positivity Free Zone

  

  We aren’t supposed to be happy all the time, always productive. There is a place for darkness and sadness and despair.

  CarolynDem

  January 9, 2023

  HSCT, MS

  anxiety, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, depression, despair, friendship, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis

• Reflecting Back & Looking Forward

  

  I am six months post transplant and full of hope and gratitude. Take a moment to thank your beautiful, wonderous, amazing, incredible and unique body.

  CarolynDem

  December 30, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, friendship, healing, hospital stay, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, new year, resolutions, therapy

• Dear Kerry: a letter to my Captain

  

  This is an open letter to my transplant nurse, my captain, my friend.

  CarolynDem

  December 16, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, friendship, graditude, healthcare, HSCT, letters, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, nurses, thank you

• HSCT Q&A

  

  I asked my followers-turned-friends if they had any residual questions about HSCT or my MS journey. Here’s a curated Q&A.

  CarolynDem

  November 14, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, FAQs, hospital stay, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Q&A, questions

• In sickness and in health… or not

  

  I now have the mental and physical bandwidth to focus on something other than staying alive and fighting for my life. That means shedding light on the other major update in my life: I’m getting divorced.

  CarolynDem

  November 1, 2022

  About Me, HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, divorce, friendship, HSCT, husband, MS, Multiple Sclerosis

• My big list of how to help (because we need it)

  

  Don’t ask the sick or recovering friend how to help, tell them your three ideas and let them choose.

  CarolynDem

  October 27, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, family, friendship, help, hospital stay, housework, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, support system

• Speaking the same language

  

  Despite seeing my oncologist, I craved a neurological sign of success.

  CarolynDem

  October 23, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  cancer, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, doctors, HSCT, medical literacy, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, neurology, oncology

• How do you define health?

  

  Comparison is a ridiculous endeavor when it comes to defining health because most illness is invisible. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “comparison is the thief of joy.”

  CarolynDem

  September 7, 2022

  HSCT, MS

  chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, health, hospital stay, HSCT, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, recovery, well being

• Life Lately: September 1, 2022

  

  Today marks day +63. This has been the longest summer on record. It’s all new. There’s no planning. And I have to be fine with that.

  CarolynDem

  September 1, 2022

  About Me, HSCT, MS

  cane, chemotherapy, Chronic Illness, Cleveland Clinic, dining, friendship, grief, HSCT, mobility aid, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, physical therapy, reading, recovery, summer