Why World Violence and Family Conflicts are More Connected Than You Think Stan Goldberg December 16, 2014 Caregiving, Thoughts of the Day2 CommentsTHOUGHT OF THE DAY. Yesterday we saw three seemingly unconnected events that shocked the world. The murder of Australians by an extremist in Sydney, the slaughter of children by the Taliban in Northwest...
Aging and Sexual Dilutions: “Friending” an Old Man Stan Goldberg December 15, 2014 Aging, Thoughts of the DayThis morning on Facebook I had a request from someone almost old enough to be my granddaughter. Looking at the provocative picture, I wondered why someone this young wanted to be a “Friend” of someone who...
Living With Cancer: A Paradigm for Uncertainty Stan Goldberg December 12, 2014 Cancer, Grieving and Recovery, Thoughts of the Day2 CommentsTHOUGHT OF THE DAY. When a friend discussed with me the uncertainty of living without her recently deceased husband, I thought about my life living with prostate cancer. Until his death my friend’s life was...
Why Being a Cheerleader for Cancer Survivors May Not Be Helpful. Stan Goldberg December 11, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the Day4 CommentsA few days ago I discussed the tricky balance between accepting the realities of cancer vs. the need for hope with Joni Aldrich on The Cancer Support Network. As someone who has lived with cancer for the...
Coping With Cancer; It’s a Journey, Not Just An Event Stan Goldberg December 10, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the DayThought of the Day-Cancer; It’s a Journey, Not Just An event. We often think of illnesses, especially cancer, as if it’s just a tragic event. Something that primary affects the person diagnosed with it,...
Cancer Treatments: When Should You Fire Your Physician? Stan Goldberg December 8, 2014 Thoughts of the Day5 CommentsThe 1930’s singer and actor Sophia Tucker said “I’ve been rich, and I’ve been poor. Rich is better,"-- and so is competency in cancer treatment. Currently, I'm blessed with competent, caring, and...
You’re Putting Me in A Nursing Facility! Why Can’t You Care For Me At Home? Stan Goldberg December 5, 2014 Aging, Thoughts of the DayTHOUGHT OF THE DAY: A few weeks ago Steve Moran published a three-part series in the Sacramento Bee on “the terrible state of affairs” in skilled nursing facilities in California. The response from the...
Anticipating Your Death: A Transformative Exercise Stan Goldberg December 4, 2014 End of Life, Thoughts of the Day2 CommentsIn 1998 Steven Levine Wrote “One Year to Live,” where he asked readers to think about what they would do if their death occurred in one year. I remember the discomfort this discussion created with...
La Bohème: A Old Lesson in Living and Dying Stan Goldberg December 3, 2014 End of Life, Thoughts of the Day7 CommentsLast night with my wife I attended La Boheme, an opera by Puccini showing how little attitudes about dying changed since 1896 when the opera was first performed. DEALING WITH LOSS In the third act, Mimi, the...
“I Have Cancer” is an Amazon #9 Best Seller Today, But What About Tomorrow? Stan Goldberg December 1, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the DayMy new book “I have Cancer” 48 Things to Do When You Hear Those Words, has a Kindle #9 rank in cancer today—the day of it’s release. So why shouldn’t I rejoice rather than be anxious? Making a...
What Richard Pryor Has In Common with Cancer Support Stan Goldberg November 28, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the DayTHOUGHT OF THE DAY When I was listening to a PBS tribute of Richard Pryor, it became apparent how our history plays out in the present. It’s especially true if you have a friend or loved one living with,...
Thanksgiving and Gratitude: When Just a Little is Enough Stan Goldberg November 27, 2014 Thoughts of the DayIt’s Thanksgiving and yesterday I promised myself I wouldn't think today. But I woke up, and there they were--those pesky thoughts of the day. I'M GRATEFUL FOR Being an old man and not just a...
Do Physicians Fear Death?–How It Affects Your Health Care Stan Goldberg November 26, 2014 End of Life, Thoughts of the Day3 CommentsAlthough many physicians fear death, my oncologist doesn't. The relationship I have with him is one I would like with everyone in the medical community. “I have two goals,” he said when I recently was in...
Values and Adversity: Boomers vs. ME Generation Stan Goldberg November 25, 2014 Aging, Thoughts of the DayAt a party the other day I had a conversation with a friend who is my age (69) about our children’s generation and those who came afterward. I’m told the newest is the ME generation. I enjoy my children...
Family Conflict: Selective Manipulation of the Past Stan Goldberg November 24, 2014 Caregiving, Thoughts of the DayAs violence continues in the Mideast, people who are attacked ignore the past—only the present is important to them, as it is within some families. Those who are doing the attacking take a 180 degree turn on...
Bill Cosby and Cancer: The need to believe Stan Goldberg November 21, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the DayLiving with cancer
Aging and a Shrinking World Stan Goldberg November 20, 2014 Aging, Thoughts of the DayWhen friends die death comes closer to us
Life Lessons From People Living With and Dying From Cancer Stan Goldberg November 19, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the Day11/18/14 I often think about a patient I served in hospice who was dying from cancer. Once a week we would go to a place he chose—usually somewhere he knew he’d never see again. Once it was to his...
Not Drawing Conclusions: Robin William’s Suicide Stan Goldberg November 19, 2014 Chronic illness, Thoughts of the Day1 Commentsuicide often involves facts we don't understand
How Do You React When Someone Says, “I Have Cancer” Stan Goldberg November 19, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the Day11/12/14 I've been called "courageous" and a "survivor" for battling my cancer for 12 years. I take the compliments as compassionate thoughts, but do they reflect what I and other people living with cancer...