“And… ok, that’s enough!” That was my brain’s reaction after the oncologist broke the news. My family and I had been peppering him with questions after scans showed yet another recurrence; frantically in search of some understanding on how my situation could possibly improve at this point. That’s when the oncologist explained the 5 year survival rate for my metastatic osteosarcoma was less than 10%. I shot up from my seat in pure panic and burst out the door. Pacing around the hallway, my mind tried to erase what it just heard… No, no, no. Not happening. Didn’t just hear that. L ..read more

  So many opinions! I’ll never forget how exhausting it was navigating treatment after my diagnosis with bone cancer. One crowd urged me to get started with chemotherapy as soon as possible. As if modern medicine were a no brainer. Meanwhile, another group advocated natural healing— while simultaneously freaking me out about the toxic side effects of chemo, and saying things like cancer treatment is all just big business! I tried turning to Google, ready to research for myself and form my own opinions… only to walk away feeling even more confused. All the information appeared intimidatin ..read more

The wind was brushing against my face. Helmet on, of course, as I adjusted to life in the bike lanes of Manhattan— which I quickly learned can be intense. People are nuts in this city; delivery bikes flying past like kamikaze pilots on their silent electric bikes, others racing towards you from the wrong direction… you really have to stay locked in at all times. But the exhilaration of cruising freely around New York City on a sunny afternoon made it worth it. I felt liberated after almost two years of treating cancer either at the hospital or my apartment. I was en route to the local AMC to b ..read more

I spent most of the past decade obsessed with self-preservation. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer, this was necessary for my survival. I’d lost trust in the universe and my nervous system was absolutely fried. Danger seemed to lurk in every corner, with the stakes being life or death. Even as scan results improved and my situation appeared more stabilized, I struggled to let my guard down. Part of what I believed attributed to turning my health around was a radical lifestyle overhaul— keeping a clean diet, managing stress, getting enough sleep, all of ..read more

There I was, planted on the cushion of my living room couch. Eyes closed, lost in meditation — which wasn’t easy, by the way. I was pushing through life one day at a time, in hope of a miracle to turn around a less than 10% survival rate with osteosarcoma. The tension each day was unbearable. Wake up, you feel it. Before bed, you feel it. Again during the middle of the night. The unresolved stress of this life or death problem weighed on me constantly. During the occasional distraction— let’s say a movie or being caught up in music, or enjoying quality time with my family or pet dog… I would b ..read more

Hey friends and family! Earlier this year, as more readers have asked for specifics on how I overcame a less than 10% survival rate, I launched a 1 on 1 coaching program. Thrive After Cancer is a 90-day coaching program that helps overwhelmed cancer fighters boost the odds so they can regain the ability to plan a future. Sharing all the insights, tips and strategies I’ve learned has brought such passion and fulfillment. I know this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing right now. I'm living proof that these strategies can make a difference, and I've now witnessed this be an absolute game c ..read more

I remember hearing somewhere that there’s no such thing as achieving the perfect balance; rather, life itself is an act of constant rebalancing. As someone who greatly values the state of balance and also has perfectionist tendencies, that helped to hear. It took some of the pressure off and helped me reframe how I approach my life. And based on personal experience, I’d say the same philosophy can apply to fighting cancer. Back when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer, I quickly learned that treatment and a quest for wellness is a crazy ride where you never qui ..read more

Back during my darkest days in treatment, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to escape the cycle of trauma. At 30 years old, I had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer, and suffered through a year of hardcore chemotherapy— where, if that wasn’t brutal enough, I was treated in pediatrics next to infants, teens and toddlers because that’s who are usually diagnosed with this type of cancer. After pushing through chemo in such a chaotic environment, any relief was short lived. My immediate follow up scans detected nodules in both my lungs, and from there, the setbacks ju ..read more

In the weeks leading up to chemo, I did all I could to prepare for what laid ahead. The whole concept seemed terrifying and there were so many unknowns. What would the drugs feel like? Would they burn? The uncertainty was paralyzing. I spent hours pouring through every motivational video I could find. I must have rewatched the entire Rocky franchise — punching along in the air, and visualizing myself in the ring, squaring off against my upcoming invisible opponent. As it turned out, the actual delivery of chemo wasn’t too bad for me. The cocktail of chemicals I received didn’t burn — there wer ..read more

    Maintaining the right headspace has been a top priority all my life, and especially since being diagnosed with bone cancer. Although stress and anxiety seem like constant companions, I do my best to keep positive by focusing instead on what I call “earning my health” each day. This means eating as clean and healthy as possible, taking all my vitamins and supplements, using my infrared sauna to detox – checking whatever boxes may strengthen my immune system and help me feel more in control. I also meditate and begin each morning writing morning pages to clear my thoughts and ..read more