Information and opinions on health from Linda Coffman at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/2880/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/2880/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/2880/index http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9777/story-cancer Wed, 23 May 2007 21:57:00 -0400 Linda Coffman   My story with cancer needs to be told. It stays in the back of my mind, and I know I need to share it. I read others stories and feel inspired to share mine.   I was having what I considered an ordinary, but busy life. I was 44, a single mother of three children. My daughter Amy was 20 and busy with college, my son Wesle was 13 and becoming an annoying teenager, and my youngest son Kyle was 8, and a kind, loving angel.   I... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9777/story-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9770/life-cancer Wed, 23 May 2007 20:00:00 -0400 Linda Coffman I wanted to be SUPER CANCER FIGHTER, I wanted to be a warrior that made everyone proud of me. It took me awhile to realize that I am proud of me, and no matter where your battle has taken you, all of us are heroes!   I think after cancer treatment we have put our health needs at the top of our lists. This is very important, but so is my self-esteem. I need to take care of me, not just the me that had breast cancer, but the 45 year old... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9770/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9721/life-cancer Tue, 22 May 2007 15:39:01 -0400 Linda Coffman I had to laugh when I read PJ's SharePost about using my cancer card....it is such a great post I hope everyone reads it.   Cancer does bring appreciation to ones life, but I guess I am still too new to find time to look at the good. The bad still follows me around like a stray pet I cannot get rid of. Everyday when I open the mailbox I am reminded of the bills I owe. Heck I don't even open them anymore, just throw them in the... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9721/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9704/life-cancer Mon, 21 May 2007 22:35:00 -0400 Linda Coffman Today was teachers last day!!!! out for the summer. Maybe now I can find the energy to clean my poor house. If someone has cancer or is being treated the best gift anyone could give is a gift certificate for a house cleaning.   My house has never been so cluttered and messy. I don't even know where to begin...   Yesterday was a really horrible day. I had been in horrible pain for about a week, I decided on my own to cut down... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9704/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9624/life-cancer Sat, 19 May 2007 19:29:00 -0400 Linda Coffman   It is so nice to get emails from others going through the same experiences Iam. It makes airing out all of my feelings online worth it.... I did not really expect anyone to read my rantings, but it made me feel so much more alive to type them out.   Each day I wake up I feel the pain I live with since my chemotherapy. It is hard for me to get up and go to the bathroom. I see a pain doctor and the meds help, but I made her cut them... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9624/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9579/life-cancer Thu, 17 May 2007 13:16:00 -0400 Linda Coffman Okay, lets try this again. I wrote a post and my computer ate it. Of course I seem to have this black cloud following me around the last few days. My bills are all past due. When I don't work I get no pay. Guess what? Chasing down the electric man after he shuts off your electricity is harder after cancer.My doctor is furious with me. Why? I am being noncompliant. I can't take the tamoxifen because it makes me DEATHLY ILL ... unable... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/9579/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8993/life-cancer Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:34:00 -0400 Linda Coffman So I have thrown myself into thestrange world of dating again, what was I thinking. It is so darnscary!!!!!! I do not want to be alone for the rest of my life, but theprocess  of meeting someone and putting yourself on the line toget hurt is almost as scary as chemotherapy!What do you tell someone? Hi I am a cancer patient? Would you like totake the change I might not get sick again in the next few years.I dont even know how to go... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8993/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8989/life-cancer Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:15:00 -0400 Linda Coffman So today I found out for sure that my boyfriend of 4 years just wants to be friends. I really think deep inside I have known this for several months, but I have been kidding myself. Our relationship has been completely platonic for a very long time. I had hoped it was because I was sick, but I knew...come on us women we know...   It made me really sad, and I have to wonder if I did not have cancer would it have made a difference. I... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8989/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8922/life-cancer Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:49:00 -0400 Linda Coffman I find writing journal entries about my feelings helps me vent, and I hope someone else finds a little bit of their life in mine. This weekend was really depressing. Not My Boyfriend AnymoreI found out my boyfriend of 4 years just wants to be "best friends." Do I sense a pity boyfriend. I asked him not to stay with me if he did not feel the same way I did. Of course he had never said those all important three words, but I thought actions... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8922/life-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8807/life-cancer Sat, 21 Apr 2007 22:33:00 -0400 Linda Coffman It seems like everyday I am reminded how much breast cancer has affected my life. I am unable to do the things I love to do because of the pain and disabilities my chemotherapy caused. It is difficult to walk to the darn bathroom let alone play with my 9 year old. Today my daughter came in from college, but had someone drive her back because I sounded grumpy when she called. Yes, I am a grouch. My AC is not working and it is 90 degrees in my... http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/2880/8807/life-cancer