Tag Archives: Cancer

Perennials

Posted on June 9, 2016 by vanbytheriver

They are the flowers that come back year after year, the ones that always bloom. The rose might be the most faithful floral of all. We have been best friends for over 30 years. We met through work, followed our … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Gardening, Health Issues, Relationships, Work and Career | Tagged Cancer, Dermatology, Friendship, Perennial Flowers, Relocation, Roses | 72 Comments

Longwood Revisited

Posted on May 1, 2016 by vanbytheriver

Yesterday was a sad anniversary. It was the day my mother died, April 30. I felt like driving. And I did, for hours. I knew where I’d end up, at my hometown, at her gravesite. It has been 36 years, … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Family, Inspiration, Photography, Travel | Tagged Cancer, Kennett Square Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens, Mother/Daughter Bonding, Water Lily | 131 Comments

Chowder

Posted on December 11, 2015 by vanbytheriver

The best soup recipe I’ve ever had came from a man who was dying. Paul was a brilliant engineer in his early 30’s, with a lovely wife and 2 young sons. An attractive and personable man, he was gray the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Inspiration, Work and Career | Tagged 1970's, Cancer, Friendship, Hodgkins Disease, New England Clam Chowder, Recipe Box | 38 Comments

Biopsy

Posted on November 3, 2015 by vanbytheriver

It happened to me, exactly 3 years ago this week. After a series of tests, the radiologist said those few words that would change my life for the next 18 months. “You need a biopsy.” I wrote about it before, … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Family, Health Issues | Tagged Biopsy, Cancer, Mammogram, Pink Ribbon, Surgery | 44 Comments

One Last Move

Posted on June 25, 2015 by vanbytheriver

“Kansas ? Really ?” He was five years from retirement. “It’s the last move, Ellen, we really have no choice.” Mark was right. There were bills to pay, he loved his work, Florida could wait. Stress, depression, illness did not … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Flash Fiction, Health Issues, Work and Career, Writing Prompt | Tagged 100 Word Challenge, Cancer, Job Relocation, Kansas, Moving, Retirement, Tornado | 60 Comments

The Gathering

Posted on April 30, 2015 by vanbytheriver

She had been given 2 months to live. They discovered a grapefruit-sized tumor on her bladder, inoperable. Two years later, after multiple sessions of chemo and radiation, and a few experimental drug therapies, she was still with us. My mother, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, home, Inspiration | Tagged April 30, Cancer, Michigan, Mom, Sad Anniversary, Siblings, Spiritual Energy | 61 Comments

Full Color to Sepia to Black /White. A Year in a Photo Album

Posted on October 1, 2014 by vanbytheriver

It’s interesting to me how much family history and mood can be reflected in a simple photo. A picture really is “worth a thousand words”. Never was this more evident for me than 1978. It was a year of mental … Continue reading →