Co-Existing with COVID-19: Should I go back to work? Do I have to?

Posted June 19th, 2020

We have had a lot of comments about our unemployment benefits and COVID-19 blog. Now, as the country is trying to re-open and learn to live with COVID, cancer survivors and patients are asking, should I go back to work? Do I have to go back to work? Can I still collect unemployment if I […]

Coping with COVID-19: I’ve Lost My Health Insurance, Now What?

Posted June 4th, 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some 40 million Americans have lost their jobs. With the loss of jobs, comes the loss of health insurance. For cancer patients, maintaining your health insurance is essential. The good news is, you probably have some options to keep your coverage or get new coverage. Keeping Your Coverage […]

I Miss Hugs.

Posted May 19th, 2020

I was sitting out in my backyard over the weekend when my 3-year-old neighbor said over the fence, “Teeny (my nickname). I miss hugging you.” My heart. I miss hugging too. I was a hugger and a hand holder and a shoulder to cry on-er before COVID. Oh I was also a face toucher. Suddenly, […]

SLOWLY–Returning to Pre-Quarantine Life

Posted May 14th, 2020

Last week, I needed to get some labs drawn. I’m not going to lie, I was terrified and anxious about going back to the hospital. Was I risking exposure to COVID by going in? How could I keep myself safe? I kept myself up much of the night before. Tossing, turning, playing out every possible […]

Pets and COVID-19: What you need to know to keep your furry family members safe.

Posted May 1st, 2020

My dogs, Maggie, Linus, and Huckleberry, have been ENORMOUS supports for me during quarantine. Not only do they provide me with companionship and unconditional love, but they also soothe and comfort me in those moments I’m feeling particularly pessimistic about our current state of affairs AND they get me outside and moving on our regular […]

All I needed to know about quarantine…I learned from my cancer patients.

Posted April 28th, 2020

My quarantine has been an interesting experience. Long before we went on lockdown, I planned to travel to Cape Cod to help my folks out after my mom had knee replacement surgery. Her procedure went off without a hitch on March 2nd and I traveled by car with my three dogs to spend a week helping […]

Coping with COVID-19: National Health Care Decisions Day

Posted April 16th, 2020

Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). I’ve written blogs about this day for the last several years. NHDD “exists to inspire, educate and empower the public about the importance of advance care planning.” Advance care planning includes thinking about your wishes for medical care should you have advanced illness. It is a process that […]

Coping with COVID-19: What You Need to Know About Stimulus Payments

Posted April 13th, 2020

Beginning this week, qualified individuals/families will begin to receive stimulus payments. These payments are included as part of the 2 trillion dollar stimulus bill passed by Congress a few weeks ago. Let’s unpack more about these payments. Who will be getting a stimulus payment? Individuals who made less than $75,000 and couples who made less […]

Coping with COVID-19 and Cancer: Changes to Unemployment Guidelines and Impacts on Health Insurance

Posted April 9th, 2020

Many folks, including cancer survivors, have suddenly found themselves out of work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Federal government passed the CARES act in late March to expand eligibility, payments, and length of time for unemployment claims. This bill created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA). Another result of […]

COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance for People with Cancer

Posted April 3rd, 2020

Several cancer service organizations have limited funding available to provide emergency financial assistance for individuals with cancer affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Funds are limited. If you are eligible and need emergency funding for things like groceries, transportation to chemotherapy (so you can avoid public transportation), child-care and other expenses that help you to stay […]