About Me

Welcome to Pass it On, a personal blog where I share my experiences and insights in living with cancer.  Unfortunately, 20+ years into my journey, cancer has impacted more and more of those around me. If I can do anything to make these experiences easier, that will always be my mission accomplished. I spent years drafting and redrafting emails, Facebook messages, and setting up phone chats to answer questions and give helpful tips. It occurred to me just the other day that if I used a platform like this, I can have a tool to share and add to, versus redo over and over, with a constant fear I'm forgetting something important. And with that, this blog was born (it only took me decades for this lightbulb moment to put it all in one place). It's here that I've started to consolidate helpful thoughts and information I've been gathering along the way. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, family member, or friend impacted by cancer; whether you're afraid to reach out or don't know what to say, I hope that this can be a resource for you and that I can help you in some way.

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A little more about me:

I've always pushed back against cancer becoming my identity; if you know me, you know I'm stubborn like that and I hate feeling center of attention, so this is a bit unfamiliar and out of my comfort zone. But looking back I can honestly say I am grateful for how it has shaped me, from personality to career choice (I am now an Architect designing hospitals for a living) and I should not be shy about it, ashamed of my scars, or fearful that it might freak someone out or be "too much". Beginning with my first diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer at age 18, and subsequent diagnosis of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, through my later bouts with Breast Cancer at 30 and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer at 37, I have no doubt it has played a major role in my personal strength, empathy, positivity, perspective, and zest for life. I am grateful everyday.

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