The Patient Path

This is a follow-up to my December 13, 2019 post commemorating the six-year anniversary of my total robotic hysterectomy for endometrial adenocarcinoma—”the most common uterine malignancy in developed nations,” according to an article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Because my tumor was type 1 (the endometrioid type), stage 1B (it had penetrated about 60% through the uterine lining, or…

Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Six Years Later

This year, the American Cancer Society estimated that 61,880 new cases of uterine cancer would be diagnosed and that 12,160 women—20 percent—would die from it.

On December 13, 2013 (also a Friday), I underwent a total robotic hysterectomy for uterine cancer—type 1, stage 1B, grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma—at which time the estimates were 49,560 and 8,190, respectively. (Endometrial cancer,…

The Privilege of Turning 65

Until I turned 65, I thought aging was nature’s way of tormenting us for the mixed blessing of being alive, with all its joys and challenges. Now I recognize what it actually is: nature’s way of celebrating our experience of life, of giving meaning to our participation in the universe, and of providing a peek through the keyhole of eternity. On Sunday, September 24, 2017, I was amazed, delighted,…

My Friend’s Story – Remembering Her and Her Husband with Love

Mitch had entitled this photo “Me and My Girl” REPOSTING FROM 2016 IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE PASSING OF MY CHERISHED CHILDHOOD FRIENDS Sandee Crespy Kline & Mitch Kline – A Couple Meant to Be Together Always  Original Post from 9/15/16 Mitch was my childhood friend, Sandee’s, husband. She died almost six years ago of leukemia. Mitch never got over her loss, but fought to raise money to cure the…

Diana’s Story: A Uterine Cancer Scare with a Personal Twist

A friend who attended  The Patient Path’s uterine cancer talk in January 2017 was inspired to consult a gynecologist, something she hadn’t done in five years,  about a mysterious abdominal pain. I’ll tell you at the outset that Diana’s story has a happy ending. But she did experience a uterine cancer scare, which has a personal twist you’ll want to read about. Diana’s message for you is that she…

Repost: For My Son’s Birthday – Reflections on Losing a Womb, and a Co-Parent, to Cancer

Once again this year, I am celebrating two lives on the back-to-back dates of July 17 & July 18. On this special numerological date of 7-17-17, I wish to acknowledge the passing of my son’s father three years ago today from lung cancer, and also my son’s 33rd birthday tomorrow. This onetime nuclear family gave my life a meaning that I carry forward into my current life and second nuclear family.…

Kitty Corner: Feline Hyperthyroidism – Update

“Mister C” – Photo © 2013 J. Bowman As mentioned in the August 19, 2014 post, we are taking a temporary departure from human concerns with a brief look at a health issue for older cats—overactive thyroid.  I needed to decide whether to keep my little buddy on thyroid meds or take him in for a thyroidectomy. So I solicited votes to see what others would advise. . . . See new information from the…

Happy Belated Mother’s Day, Catching Up, & Coming Soon

Yesterday, for the first time in a number of years, I got to spend time with my son on Mother’s Day. He’s grown and gone, living a full, productive, happy, rewarding life in Boston. Down here in NW Central New Jersey, I get to think about him much more than I get to be with him. So this was a very special treat. On Sunday, May 14, 2017, I spent a few precious hours with my son and was treated to…

National Women Physicians Day: Honoring Elizabeth Blackwell, the First Female American Medical Doctor

Elizabeth Blackwell circa 1850. © Museum of the City of New York/Getty Images English-born Elizabeth Blackwell, 1821–1910, was the first woman to receive an MD degree from an American medical school, Geneva Medical College in New York, 1849. Her specialty was obstetrics-gynecology. Bios: National Library of Medicine and Encyclopædia Britannica National Women Physicians Day was founded by Hala…

But what happens on February 3rd?

Reposted from ThePatientPath.net February 2, 2017: https://thepatientpath.net/2017/02/02/but-what-happens-on-february-3rd-2/

But what happens on February 3rd?

If, like me, you are a fan of redemption movies—and of Bill Murray—then today you tuned into AMC and watched Groundhog Day…again…and again…and again…. My favorite part of this time-warp movie comes near the end, when Phil (also the groundhog’s name) Connors finally gets it. He starts living in the ever-present moment, the only way we can experience earthbound time. Even before he learns how to…

Enlightening Women about Uterine Cancer: A Live Conversation

Illuminating Enlightening Women about Uterine Cancer Central New Jersey-Area Residents: Please join me on Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 2:00 PM at the Hunterdon County Library Headquarters (Route 12) in Flemington for a conversation about uterine (endometrial) cancer—the 4th most common cancer in US women and the most common gynecologic cancer. (Registration information appears below.) Although…

Living Her Life in “Jeopardy” Before Colon Cancer Claimed Her

Acknowledging the Sad Passing of Someone Who Had Time Enough to Live Her Dream: Cindy Stowell, “Jeopardy!” Champion http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/us/cindy-stowell-jeopardy-death.html Today it was announced that four-time (as aired thus far) “Jeopardy!” champion Cindy Stowell died at age 41 of Stage 4 colon cancer on December 5, 2016, about a week before her episodes aired. She won again on…

Quick Update: My Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Story: Three Peach Roses on My Three-Year Anniversary

3 Peach Roses, 3 Years Uterine Cancer Free Yesterday, I posted a brief announcement that I remain cancer-free on the three-year anniversary of my total robotic hysterectomy for uterine (endometrial) cancer on December 13, 2013 (a lucky Friday). I said I would provide the full scoop today, and I have provided more information below. But this will need to be just a quick update as I am still…

Update: My First 3D Mammogram – And an Important Note about Breast Density

In the December 6, 2016 post, I described having my first 3D mammogram this week. It showed that I have  “sunshine breasts”—no clouds in my imaged fields. This makes me one of the lucky ones. My official report came in today’s mail confirming that my mammogram was normal (benign) and that my breast tissue is primarily fatty. This means it shows up as black on radiologic images, making tumors…