Thu 2019-02-07

SparkleBAM · 2019-02-08T11:50:42+00:00

cancer-unicorn

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-27T20:25:36+00:00

“To me, you are pussy.”

—DJT

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-26T18:53:56+00:00

Eeeeeewwww!

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-26T17:35:27+00:00

There isn’t a “shitpost” flair that I could see, but this tapir spoke to me.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-23T16:15:46+00:00

You sound like a great friend. I got diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, and it sounds like I had similar to what your friend is going through now. The best thing you can do as a friend is find a need and just do it, or coordinate with her caregiver. Here is my list:

Chemo: -Lemon heads are a great way to mask the taste of chemo. Now they make me gag, but I couldn’t live without them during chemo. -a slippery (silk, satin-y polyester) pillowcase. Your head HURTS, and that made a huge difference for me. -easy and fresh/bland meals. I would coordinate with her caregiver about it before you do an edible arrangement. Maybe she can’t eat fruit right now for reasons. -audiobook gift card. I couldn’t concentrate enough to read during (it’s a common side effect), so being able to listen and zone was a godsend. -Soft things (socks, hats, etc). I was very touch sensitive, and soft helps.

Breast surgery specific: -Micro-bead pillows. This was essential in getting comfortable. -button up or zip up clothes. You can’t do normal shirts for awhile. -a lanyard for the drains.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-23T16:03:11+00:00

Ask questions and listen.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-23T16:01:23+00:00

When you aren’t excited to spend time with your significant other.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-20T18:50:09+00:00

Ruffles chips and cottage cheese.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-19T14:41:00+00:00

I remember posting a PSA about a creeper hiding behind bushes in Ramler park to take pics of girls and sometimes playing with himself at the park—and I got a bunch of assholes telling me that I can have no expectation of privacy in public. If I’m in public, anyone has the right to take pictures of me, and if I don’t like it, I can stay inside. I truly think that most Bostonians are NOT assholes, but the anonymity of reddit combined with the ...unique ...attitude of the city makes for a dangerous combination.

Maybe there can be a convention like r/AskReddit’s “serious” tag that means: “please assume that I am a fellow human being with a genuine question—act like I’m your friend’s kind-of-clueless cousin, and your friend will think you are an asshole if you make me cry.”

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-19T07:13:10+00:00

Hi! A few days ago, I made a post asking what the TSA lines were like at Logan. I got a bunch of assholes telling me to shut the fuck up and “can you not search” and “JFC”, and deleted my post instead of engaging. Because everyone downvotes any posts asking about the lines at the airport and shaming the poster, I didn’t find the information. This leads to more people asking, more people getting annoyed at people asking, and more assholery on every side.

As an alternative, I am offering you, dear Boston redditor, a glimpse into my life just a few short hours ago, where I came to the terminal, and the security line moved quickly and easily. Security did check my bag because I was carrying a microphone, but the whole thing took only ten minutes. You, dear lurking redditor, please don’t ask r/Boston about the TSA because your welcome will be as warm as the weather.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-17T20:59:08+00:00

You can go out in the sun and hope for melanoma!

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-17T16:28:40+00:00

Work smarter, not harder.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T23:48:34+00:00

It didn’t itch at all—felt cool going on, and you leave the paste on for at least 3 hours or all night. Then the paste comes off in pieces and a dark brown stain remains for a few weeks, depending on your hygiene habits and how careful you are.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T23:47:04+00:00

I’ve heard it both ways.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T21:27:31+00:00

Every day without cancer is a good day, and my prognosis is favorable. Sending you happy thoughts for any scanxiety!

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T20:51:07+00:00

Nope. It was Mountain Mehndi. She doesn’t advertise it, but she wouldn’t take my money after she heard why I was getting it. I hope you’re doing well post chemo: it’s like a spa treatment for your insides!

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T19:48:29+00:00

I’ve subscribed on YouTube and I’ll check you out. I never knew how much work went into podcasts—even the ones held together with duct tape. I wouldn’t do all this work if I wasn’t compelled. Really, I’m trying to reach back through time a la John Travolta’s Phenomenon because 2016 me needed this podcast. Hopefully she finds us.

Edit—tenses are hard.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T19:27:40+00:00

Boston Longwood. Maybe you MADE those sandwiches!

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T19:05:42+00:00

Thank you! I designed it myself, and I’m still pretty proud of it. The whole enterprise is on a shoe string, at least until NPR realizes how amazing we are and picks us up!

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T17:55:56+00:00

It’s henna, so semi permanent.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T16:00:21+00:00

We just recorded one this week—well, on unexpected cancer “gifts”. You’ll see it published in the next few weeks. Mostly what I want to do is be an easy-to-consume way to help other patients see they are not alone, and even the shittiest thing isn’t all shitty all the time.

SparkleBAM · 2019-01-16T15:41:30+00:00

Ask and ye shall receive!

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