Don’t Give Advice to Friends with Cancer
Posted July 18th, 2014
Bob Riter
People often call me and say, “My friend was just diagnosed with cancer. What can I do to help her?” My answer is simple: Be present and don’t give advice.
Don’t be an Obnoxious Patient
Posted June 30th, 2014
Bob Riter
I sometimes hear people say that the best way to get good health care is to be obnoxious. By this, they mean that you should demand that the doctor see you immediately, or that you should demand that your needs be met first. Let me give you some advice: Don’t be obnoxious. It always works […]
Decision Making with Cancer
Posted June 16th, 2014
Bob Riter
Everyone diagnosed with cancer has decisions to make. What type of treatment? Where to have treatment? Should the cancer even be treated? Decision Making with Cancer.
Personality and Cancer
Posted June 2nd, 2014
Bob Riter
Aside from inappropriately blaming the person with cancer for causing her cancer, it suggests that cancer is a result of one’s thought-processes or personality. That’s a myth.
A Cancer Pity Party
Posted May 15th, 2014
Bob Riter
A woman with cancer recently told me that she was planning a pity party. She explained that, “Cancer just sucks and I want to get together with my friends to acknowledge that it sucks.” Sounds reasonable. Those of us with cancer tend to put on brave faces. But there are times that we grieve for […]
Blended Families and Cancer
Posted May 8th, 2014
Bob Riter
Communication within a family after a cancer diagnosis can be complicated, particularly for newer blended families and cancer.
Some Patients Can Face Boredom
Posted April 21st, 2014
Bob Riter
A young man with cancer recently told me that he felt bored. That’s not something I often hear from people who are dealing with cancer, but I know what he meant. Some patients can face boredom.
How Old is too Old to Treat Cancer?
Posted February 28th, 2014
Bob Riter
The older you are, the more likely it is that you’ll be diagnosed with cancer. The average age at diagnosis is now 66 and it’s increasingly common for people in their late 80s and even older to consider cancer treatment.
The Vivid Images of Cancer
Posted January 13th, 2014
Bob Riter
People with cancer often form mental images of the disease or its treatment…They visualized killing off the cancer cells one-by-one until they were all gone.
New Year’s Wishes
Posted December 30th, 2013
Bob Riter
I like to give myself a magic wand at this time of the year to grant wishes to those affected by cancer. Here are my wishes for 2014.