Tami Boehmer | Miracle Survivors

Planting a seed … trying new options

tamilb — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:20:36 +0000

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. To be honest, I’ve been in turmoil this week. I learned that the chemo I was on (Halaven) is not working; my scans showed a slight progression. As I mentioned, I’ve been having pain in my abdomen, where it has spread, and was hoping it was because it [...]

Hopping Roller Coasters takes you on a ride

tamilb — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:28:38 +0000

I’ve been receiving many offers to review books by fellow survivors. While I don’t have time to honor all of the requests, there’s one book I couldn’t put down once I started reading it: Hopping Roller Coasters by Rachel Pappas. I first “met” Rachel when she interviewed me for her wonderful and informative site www.1UponCancer.com. I [...]

Fear is a pain in the …

tamilb — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:30:41 +0000

I have to admit it, for me fear is a four-letter word. I try to run from it, hide from it, but sometimes it comes and bites me in the ass. I pride myself for the coping mechanisms I’ve found and used to deal with living with metastatic cancer. Most of the time, it works. [...]

Let’s stop the waiting game

tamilb — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:47:01 +0000

In my last post, I shared a video made by my friend Darlene Gant, who is waging a campaign to have access to a drug in the midst of fighting for her life. The video, which has gone viral, shows Darlene pleading her case to the FDA to receive the drug Pertuzumab before its predicted release [...]

What is metastatic cancer?

tamilb — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:45:37 +0000

I know this may seem like a simple question for many of you, but I’m realizing that many people don’t understand what it means when you have metastatic cancer. One friend (who I’ve known for years and heard me talk about cancer pretty extensively) didn’t realize I have been on treatment almost continuously for four [...]

Survivor leads the way for rare disease

tamilb — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:17:22 +0000

Susan Thornton is giving cancer a run for its money … and then some! After being sidetracked a bit by my medical situation, I’m now preparing for speaking engagements and other things book- and blog-related. On May 5, I’m heading to Columbus to speak at the Cutaneous Lymphoma Patient Education Forum. I spoke to Susan [...]

Young liver cancer survivor paints portrait of hope

tamilb — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:52:30 +0000

Today, we welcome a guest post by Ashley Murphy, a 12-year liver cancer survivor, author and artist, who is spreading hope through her story and art: I was diagnosed at the young age of 23 with FHC- Fibrolamellar Hepatocelluar Carcinoma-liver cancer. The year was 2000, the millennium bug year, Y2K, as most remember it. Already a [...]

On hope, miracles and life’s little coincidences

tamilb — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:05:18 +0000

I must admit my hope and faith have been challenged lately. There are times when I feel so frustrated that despite my best efforts, this tricky disease has decided to make a new appearance. But then I get these little messages to keep hope and faith alive. I believe there are no coincidences in life, [...]

Running the marathon

tamilb — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:44:33 +0000

The longer I’m on this journey, I’m learning that it is a marathon, not a sprint, as my oncologist has told me. It requires my patience, faith, and determination … and yes, acceptance. Spring here has been gorgeous, albeit a little earlier than usual. I find myself reveling in the beautiful blossoming trees, the fresh [...]

Integrative oncology works!

tamilb — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:34:19 +0000

I promised that I would share more from my trip to the Annie Appleseed Evidence-based Alternative and Complementary Therapies Conference. My friend and cancer coach, Elyn Jacobs also attended, so I’ve asked her today to share some of her insights from the sessions. In addition to being a wonderful friend, Elyn is President of Elyn Jacobs Consulting, [...]