Thoughts of the Day

THOUGHT 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...

This 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...

THOUGHT 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...

A 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...

Thought 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,...

The 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...

THOUGHT 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...

In 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...

Last 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...

My 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...

THOUGHT 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,...

It’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...

Although 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...

At 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...

As 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...

Living with cancer

When friends die death comes closer to us

11/18/14  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...

suicide often involves facts we don't understand

11/12/14  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...