Chemotherapy on Shine

Breathe a “Psi” of relief

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When California moms Carla Falcone and Romy Taormina were pregnant, each suffered with terrible nausea. They didn’t want to take drugs. But "other options were limited," Romy recalls. They eventually found relief in a surprising way –- through acupressure, a 5,000 year-old practice of applying pressure to certain parts of the body to relieve pain or discomfort. Once their queasiness faded, they set out to create an acupressure bracelet that would help other women suffering in the same way. They call their product "Psi" (pronounced "sigh") bands.

One simple, straightforward way to help a cancer patient

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I used to write for a wonderful site that supports people who are going through an illness or injury. I interviewed many people who were recovering from devastating challenges, and out of that, was often tasked with writing up lists of creative, budget-friendly ways to support those people while they were undergoing chemo, in the hospital, or house-bound.

Over and over, we heard readers who said they wanted to offer assistance to loved ones in need, but that they just didn't know how.

User post: Do You Wonder What A Cancer Boob Really Looks Like After Surgery?

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I woke up in the hospital room. I was first aware of the darkness that filled the room so much I couldn't see a thing. I had realized I was alone, and in that moment I became instantly aware of the pain I felt in my chest. My first thought was, "OH MY G*D, WHAT DID I DO? I…

LIVING with cancer, NOT dying from it! Life after 3 different cancers

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The following has become a bit of a tradition. I wrote a letter to my online support group breast cancer sisters when I hit my one year cancer-versary. The next two years consisted of adding updates to the base letter. After battling my 3rd cancer, my "letter" is now a…

Black, Wool Hat

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It's dark now, at 5:30 in the afternoon, and I pull on my black, wool hat as I walk out the door to pick Lily up from ballet class. The edge of the hat touches my bare forehead, and I reach my hand up to scratch. My hair is tucked behind my ears, peeking out from...

Be honest: How often do you do breast self-exams?

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In October, there was plenty to read about breast cancer, many posts to build awareness, compassion and strategies for taking better care of your body and maintaining good health. And then, just as quickly as November is ushered in, the breast cancer buzz is gone and we're all about Thanksgiving indulgence.

If you are like me, though, the fear of breast cancer is never far from my thoughts about being healthy and living a long, long time. I've known enough women who've bravely fought back against breast cancer to know how fast and furious it can invade any and many of our lives.

Melissa Etheridge on life after breast cancer

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<p><img alt="" src="http://media.shape.com/images/melissa_etheridge.jpg" align="left" height="285" width="285">In her 2005 battle with breast cancer, Melissa Etheridge survived a lumpectomy plus five rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. The experience led her to make over her lifestyle: She committed herself to working every day to keep her body healthy and strong. Here, the two-time Grammy Award winner and mother of two reveals how positive thinking helped her endure uncomfortable treatments and what eating habits she's changed since becoming cancer-free. Brace yourself: this is one rocker sure to inspire. </p>

Hoax Email: A New Breast Cancer...

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Many women have received an email warning that a "new form of breast cancer" starts as a rash on a woman's breast, instead of showing up as a lump. According to the email, a young woman developed a rash, similar to that of young nursing mothers. The rash was treated with antibiotics,...

Farewell My Lovelies...

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Breast Cancer DIY is happy to announce a new addition to our Testimonial webpage: Farewell My Lovelies from Jessica Queller. She is the...