Tag Archives: cancer

The Soap Collection

Posted on March 12, 2017 by likeitiz

Late last December, my cousins gave me some specialty soaps for the Holidays. It turns out that this project was long overdue. My aunt, Thelma V. Leelin, their mother, had spent most of her life a revered dermatologist in Manila. … Continue reading →

Posted in Breast Cancer, Cancer, cancer, Courage, Health, Second Chances, Vanna Virata, Women's Health | Tagged cancer, Courage, Family ties, Fiercies, Second Chances, Siddhartha Mukherjee, the Emperor of All Maladies | 3 Comments

CVS Butts Out!

Posted on February 6, 2014 by likeitiz

By now, most people have heard the breaking news that CVS, one of the biggest pharmaretailers in the United States, has decided to remove cigarettes from all their 7600 locations by October 2014. I have always wondered why these pharmacy … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Cigarette Smoking, CVS Pharmacy, Health, Health Care, Illness | Tagged cancer, cigarette smoking, cigarettes, CVS, CVS Caremark, CVS Store, drug store chains, Health, Health care, Health care industry, Lung Cancer, Postaday 2014 | 13 Comments

What Not To Say

Posted on July 5, 2013 by likeitiz

I noticed the past 3 years or so, I’ve had friends and family who have taken ill with a serious health problem or some, have passed away after a protracted illness. Ever since I was young, I’ve always wondered about … Continue reading →

Posted in Breast Cancer, Cancer, Chronic Illness, Death, Empathy, God, Health, Illness, Mindfulness, Women's Health | Tagged cancer, Chronic Illness, death, Disease, Gloria Steinem, Grief, Health, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Linda Hunt, postaweek 2013 | 19 Comments

Starbucks Ups The Ante!

Posted on June 2, 2013 by likeitiz

Yesterday it was confirmed that Starbucks will be extending its No Smoking Policy to within 25 feet of its locations, including locations where there is outdoor seating. As expected, news and social media has been in a tizzy about it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-Smoking Campaign, Electronic Cigarettes, Nicotine, Nicotine Addiction, No Smoking, Second-Hand Smoke, Smoking Ban, Starbucks, Tobacco Free California | Tagged cancer, Electronic Cigarettes, Health, Nicotine, Nicotine Addiction, Passive smoking, postaday 2013, Second Hand Smoke, Starbucks, Tobacco, Tobacco smoking, Tobacco-Free California | 15 Comments

Angie’s Confession

Posted on May 16, 2013 by likeitiz

People like Angelina Jolie will always elicit a reaction, whether positive or negative, from just about everyone. It’s hard to ignore her kind. Extremely attractive, to say the least. (Yes, this can backfire when people choose to be ruled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Breast Cancer, Mastectomy, Women's Health | Tagged Angelina Jolie, BRCA mutation, Breast cancer, cancer, Health, Mastectomy, New York Times, Oophorectomy, postaday 2013, postaweek 2013 | 11 Comments

Vanna, On Her First Anniversary

Posted on April 26, 2012 by likeitiz

Today went like any other regular work day. It was overcast in the morning over the Bay Area. It had been raining since yesterday. They promised some sun by the afternoon. And indeed, the sun came out but the air … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Childhood Friends, Death, Death Anniversary, Uncategorized | Tagged cancer, Childhood Friends, Conditions and Diseases, death, Death Anniversary, postaday2011, postaweek2011, Postaweek2012, Vanna Virata | 11 Comments

Dinner and Strategy

Posted on May 13, 2011 by likeitiz

Image via Wikipedia On a cold and windy evening last March 25, 2011, four women gathered at Il Fornaio. The mood was somber in spite of the warm welcomes and friendly anecdotes about family and friends. They were old friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Friend, Life Stages | Tagged cancer, Caring, Challenge, death, Friends, Friendship, Health, Honesty | 1 Comment

Wasted Opportunity

Posted on April 19, 2011 by likeitiz

When I think about the course of events since we last sat at the office of your oncologist 2 years ago, and discussed the plans for your future, I can’t help but shake my head in dismay. What a waste … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Death, Health, Life Stages, Moral Issues, Religion, The Mind | Tagged cancer, Conditions and Diseases, faith healers, healing, Health, life changes, morality, Oncology, Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment | 1 Comment

Thoughts on Mortality

Posted on July 25, 2010 by likeitiz

I received an email from an old friend, Christine Leviste-Consunji. She was asking for prayers for one of her sisters, who would be undergoing surgery for cancer. Needless to say, this took me by surprise. My mind wandered off to … Continue reading →