Stigma and Myths Stigma and myths go hand in hand. Myths feed the fear and misunderstanding that people use to stigmatize others and blame victims. Branding people by saying that they “caused their condition” is unproductive and unfair. This problem is happening with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Here are some myths about diabetes and recent...
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An Unstoppable Force Lauren knew that we all have a common, overarching goal….We all want to live. More importantly, we all want each other to live. Scientists offer science. People with similar presentations compare notes. And always with great affection and love. What may have started as a simple support group is becoming an unstoppable force,...
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The first post on compliance and adherence discussed the power of the words “compliance” and “adherence”, the history of their use and the negative impact these words have on people with chronic conditions. T1 HATE hate hate hate the word “adherence.” Makes pts who cannot follow instructions to the letter seem like...
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In our previous post, Making Sense of ASCO 2015 Findings: Part 1, we began our report on specific studies presented at The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 51st Annual Meeting. How should this information be interpreted? At conferences like ASCO, scientific discoveries are usually presented before publication and without complete peer review...
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What’s ASCO? Why should I care? The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is an organisation representing physicians who specialise in the care and treatment of cancer patients. Approximately 30,000 visitors from around the world gather each year for the ASCO Annual Meeting to discuss recent advancements in the treatment of cancer. Visitors include...
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Any Trekkie (Star Trek Fan) would know this greeting of the Borg that ends with “Resistance Is Futile.” What Does Compliance Mean? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, compliance is “the act or process of doing what you have been asked or ordered to do.” This word is part of the legal, militaristic language of quarantine. In the US, Congress...
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Parent Activism In 1954, Milton and Evelyn Graub learned the devastating news that both their son and daughter, Lee and Kathy, had cystic fibrosis. They reached out to other parents, held their first fundraiser and in 1955, founded what is now the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). The CFF has been instrumental in making this rare disease visible. It has...
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The Wisdom of Youth When he turned 16, Carey Hughley III showed his brand new driver’s license to his sister Alisa. “You’re an organ donor?” she asked. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m not gonna need ‘em when I’m dead,” In high school Carey was part of the swim team that set the NC state record in the 200-meter freestyle relay. ...
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“Years before my heart attack, I freelanced for a hospital that created a note pad with the saying “Thank you for being a ‘patient’ patient.” At the time, I thought it was cute. Now, I realize it isn’t funny! Continuous improvement should be the shared goal in healthcare.” ~Katherine Leon A Look At Patients...
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One Courageous Act “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage,” Anais Nin is quoted as saying. Courage comes to mind when thinking of the actions of a young gentlewoman in Victorian times. Facing the objections of her family and peers, Florence Nightingale wanted to become a nurse. That courage expanded her life and made...
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“I had a terrible headache for two days and very seldom had headache – …once a year tops. I took my kids and Sharon to see [a] movie…and at the end…I got up…collapsed and I do not [know] what happened to me.” ~John Anderson Stroke Stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Although the number of deaths has gone down...
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Called the “Emperor of All Maladies.” there’s little doubt that a cancer diagnosis throws life completely out of control. Unfortunately, this chaos creates vulnerabilities that can and have been exploited. It is tempting to believe the idea that if you control your thoughts and make them positive, you can control cancer. However...
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