I've been mulling over options for a label to replace "survivor guilt" --the emotion some patients experience after someone else dies from the same disease they had/have. Key ideas about the feeling:

We do patients a disservice by using the term survivor guilt. It focuses on guilt and, more disturbingly, may reinforce any tendency toward self-blame and shame.

Guilt is the unpleasant emotion that arises when you’ve done something wrong. In my April 7th post, I offered 8 things survivors may feel guilty about after the death of someone else from the same disease.

The disquieting emotion survivors may experience after learning someone died of cancer is less troublesome than fear of recurrence. Yet it unsettles enough patients to merit attention. 

As of midnight, my passion project is out in the world. For a peek inside my new book, read on. If you're looking for a gift of hope for the cancer survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals in your life....

“Things look bleak? The most important thing is hope!” The time has come to change that conversation. 

Why should the answer to 'How are you doing?' be the ultimate test of how patients are doing only after treatments fail?

"Without scans, how will we know how I'm doing?" For years, she knew the answer by reviewing her test results with her oncologist. After she made the wise—and difficult—decision to stop all anti-cancer chemicals that were causing harm and no longer helping, the testing stopped, too."Without scans, how will we know how I'm doing?" For years, she knew by reviewing her test results with her oncologist. After she made the wise—and difficult—decision to stop all anti-cancer chemicals that were causing harm and no longer helping, the testing stopped, too.

What does the Dunning-Kruger effect have to do with Healthy Survivorship?

"Surprise!"  What images and emotions just came to mind? The joyful excitement of celebrations? An unexpected visit from a loved one? Or the distress of an unexpected phone call bringing upsetting news?

I consider myself a Healthy Survivor. Yet I know I can do better in being my best self and living my best life. My New Year's resolutions provide a jump start to my efforts to get good care and live as fully as possible.

Cancer screening is indicated when you are expected to live long enough to benefit. What's going on when physicians order screening in the elderly whose life expectancy is too short? The conclusion of a recent NYTimes article is clear

May I recommend a light, uplifting book about end-of-life? Did I just say “light” to describe a memoir about someone’s journey after declining chemo? Yep.  

"Busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air there's a feeling of...sadness. the winter holidays can exacerbate sadness while adjusting to a new diagnosis (first cancer; recurrence; complication).

As the caregiver for my elderly mother, I read with interest Merriman's memoir about living through her mother's physical and mental decline. Unlike a guidebook 

Healthy Survivors minimize the chance of regret--that sad feeling linked to the belief you made a poor decision that led to your predicament.

A NYTimes article addresses an issue essential to Healthy Survivorship: Taking prescriptions properly.