Author Archives: Beth L. Gainer
On Lotteries
I’ve never been a fan of lotteries. I know that, for many people, they can be exciting and such, but the whole idea of there being few “winners” and many “losers” does not sit well with me. Oh, I admit, I’ve played the lottery under peer pressure. In reality, participating in a lottery is not [Read the full story …]
Competing in Cancerland
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” — Abraham Lincoln We who’ve been hit with the cancer bomb are now part of a community we never wanted to be part of in the first place. We should be unified. But we are not always unified. We should find comfort from each other. But often we [Read the full story …]
Radiation Fallout
The train eases into the early morning fog. Other commuters are lulled to sleep on their way to work. I slothily lean my head against the window and look out, exhausted. But I cannot sleep. Outside, blurred lights blink past me. All I think is, “What the hell just happened?” The train’s route is clear, [Read the full story …]
Afraid, Acted Anyway
True to my word, after I pressed the Publish button on my post on March 3, I picked up the phone and made an appointment for my brain MRI. Prior to that date, I had been stalling. At several points I had frantically told myself and friends and my psychotherapist and anyone who would … [Read the full story …]
‘I Bet You’re Proud You Beat Cancer’
These are the words I recently heard from a medical assistant at a neurologist’s office. After providing my extensive paperwork that listed all the medications I was taking, as well as my medical history, this girl was irritating the hell out of me. She kept asking for information that I clearly stated on the medical [Read the full story …]
Heart Is Where the Home Is
I’ve been off the grid lately, but not because of writing gridlock. It’s because of exciting news: on February 4, my daughter and I moved into a larger house, one with more than one bathroom (finally, yay!). So instead of writing for the past couple of months, I’ve been packing with the help of my [Read the full story …]
Cosette
I’ve been away from the blogosphere for awhile now. What kept me away was a perfect storm of being super busy, the horrific U.S. election and its even more horrific results — and the failing health and recent death of my beloved cat Cosette. It’s fitting I write about Cosette today, as it’s the 10th [Read the full story …]
Bully For Me
Last week was my daughter’s school’s annual anti-bullying rally. Children, their parents/relatives, and school employees all wore blue to show our solidarity with each other against bullying. Our children each carried a blue sign that said, “I take a stand against bullying.” Like many schools, Ari’s elementary school has a “no tolerance for bullying” policy. [Read the full story …]
Embracing Autumn
As trees shed their leaves in my part of the US, I have shed my resentment toward a month set aside for pink merchandising and ribbons. In other words, October is no longer “Pinktober” to me. Truth is, October is not to blame for being dubbed Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October is innocent, and that [Read the full story …]
Much Ado About Something
Ari and me (left), my brother and sister-in-law and nephew What a summer and fall it’s been thus far! It’s been a busiest-busy time for me with the launch of my new book, Calling the Shots in Your Medical Care. The book was released July … Continue reading the story “Much Ado About Something”