When my husband, Vince, a research physicist was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, we were instantly yanked out of our ordered, information driven, meaningful lives into pure chaos – no logic, minimal information, total disorientation. Thirteen months after his diagnosis, we had experienced two bone marrow transplants, early retirement, divestiture of 80k of our possessions, and…
Read MoreFinding Confidence at Gilda’s Club
In 2013, I was getting weaker, out of breath, losing mental ability, and having other strange symptoms. Little did I know I was dying of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and I also had an indolent cancer. I received chemo just in time. My doctor told me a year later, I had been just a few…
Read MoreGetting Back Up After Cancer Knocks You Down: Melanoma Survivor Shares Post-Treatment Struggles, Successes
Written by: Chris Malina, as originally published in the winter edition of The Advances e-newsletter. In the beginning, Renee Zemke got what every newly-diagnosed cancer patient gets: the big binder full of information. It came with the usual stuff: basic definitions, locations of clinics and important phone numbers. But nothing in the materials could prepare…
Read MoreGrateful for the Gift of Gilda’s Club
My name is Helen. I am a member, volunteer, and Ambassador at Gilda’s Club Madison. A year after my first breast cancer diagnosis, I felt “ready” for the support and psychosocial, emotional, educational support programming of Gilda’s Club. As I live in the Milwaukee area, I walked in through Gilda’s Club Southeastern Wisconsin, early in…
Read MoreRemembrance Night Helped Me Say Goodbye
My name is Jane and I was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 on my 62nd birthday. My husband, Arnie, and I have enjoyed the many programs at Gilda’s. Plus we enjoyed the lasagna, turkey, and various other meals! The meals gave us a chance to catch up with people we’ve met thru Gilda’s programs. I’ve…
Read MoreSamantha’s Story
When I was first diagnosed in July of 2018, I was devastated! I thought there was no way that I could have breast cancer! And not just any breast cancer – Triple Negative Breast Cancer! I wasn’t sure exactly what to do or expect from this new life-changing experience, and a friend of mine had…
Read More