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Off My Chest, Literally
Life after breast cancer.
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Cancer and Lymphedema: Two Years Later
Cancer and Lymphedema: Two Years Later
Still going strong!
Marie Snyder
Jul 28, 2019
Swimming Lessons
On learning how to dive deep.
Marie Snyder
Feb 11, 2018
The Absurdist Victory: All is Well
Between the stoics and existentialists, I found the latter to be a more useful attitude to take when life is a bit of a mess.
Marie Snyder
Jan 12, 2018
Lymphedema Prevention
One-stop shopping for everything I know about lymphedema!
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
Chest Tattoo with a Side of Lymphedema
Chest Tattoo with a Side of Lymphedema
As a means of healing and prettying up my mastectomy scars, I looked forward to a chest tattoo. I envisioned never wearing a bathing suit…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
Lymphedema: A Research Study Overview
Lymphedema: A Research Study Overview
I’m cancer free, but very anxious about lymphedema. It’s become a bit of an obsession, so, for anyone googling it, here are all the studies…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
On Mistakes in Surgery
Okay, so maybe just one more post about doctors… I know it’s awfully boring. The last one was in play format to make it more palatable. But…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
Another Trip to the ER
This time as a play:
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
More Doctors and Nurses — Less Waiting
I went to the CCAC yesterday after my surgery on Tuesday — the Community Care Access Centre — an agency I only heard about when they had a…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
Another Surgery Down
Another Surgery Down
I feel like a pro at getting surgery now. That’s probably not a good thing. It occurred to me it’s kind of like travelling. The first time…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
On Becoming A Woman — Mid-Life Edition
When I was around ten to fourteen, we were all inundated with information about our bodies — all the ins and outs of the magical, wondrous…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
Crazy-Making Cancer Treatment
Crazy-Making Cancer Treatment
I believe my doctors mean well, I really do, but their behaviour is not dissimilar from the crazy-making type of abuse wherein the abuser…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
On Cancer Doulas
When last we left our heroine, she had just had an invasive tumour removed, but found out there could be traces of cancer left behind. She…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
And the Saga Continues
And the Saga Continues
Ok, so, after getting a preventative bi-lateral mastectomy, performed shortly after both a mammogram and MRI both showed zero cancer, of…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
Back to Work Boobless
I’m really glad I decided to go back to work part time for a week. I highly recommend that path for anyone getting this surgery. I thought…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
A Genius Kvetching Ring
A Genius Kvetching Ring
An article, three years old, was in my facebook feed today. But it was insanely timely. It’s a little lifestyle piece about how to talk to…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
On Missing the Girls
On Missing the Girls
“Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” - Leonard…
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
On Character
Now that I’ve sufficiently survived surgery physically, the psychological stuff is creeping in.
Marie Snyder
Jan 5, 2018
On Fostering Illusions and the Qualitative Leap
What do you do when well-meaning people dear to you advise you to ignore your doctors? (And what if the doctors are wrong?)
Marie Snyder
Jan 3, 2018
Just a Flesh Wound
Just a Flesh Wound
This is a figuring kind of post wherein I try to make sense of it all. I have all sorts of thoughts about breasts now.
Marie Snyder
Nov 17, 2017
Preventing Ovarian Cancer Program Logistics
Preventing Ovarian Cancer Program Logistics
I went down the road to genetic testing all because of a link I noticed on facebook in early May 2015 — just before my 50th birthday, from…
Marie Snyder
Aug 12, 2017
Now I’m Trendy, Dammit
The NY Times published a piece last night:”’Going flat’ after breast cancer,” about the nascent movement towards openly having a boobless…
Marie Snyder
Aug 12, 2017
One of the Lucky Few?
I’ve been reading other blogs about mastectomies, and the level of pain described makes me feel like someone’s made a huge mistake, and…
Marie Snyder
Aug 12, 2017
On Recovery in All its Glory
On Recovery in All its Glory
I walked into the O.R. for a three-hour surgery just yesterday, and I feel fine. I’m taking half the pain meds that I’m allowed to take…
Marie Snyder
Aug 12, 2017
On Justified Worry
I’m going to be writing personally here. I have a lot to get off my chest.
Marie Snyder
Aug 12, 2017
About Off My Chest, Literally
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