Daily Health Bites

Lung Cancer Awareness Month has come to a close, the fight certainly does not. For many of us, lung cancer hits close to home, and for me, it’s deeply personal. Before my brother Josh was diagnosed, I’ll be honest: most of what I understood about lung cancer screening came from the clinic where I work. I knew that low-dose CT scans (LDCT) were recommended mainly for people with a history of smoking—and that was it. I never thought about testing for people without a smoking history. I never questioned the guidelines. I never imagined how urgently we’d need those options…until Josh. His diagnosis opened my eyes, and I know many of you have experienced the same awakening. Lung cancer doesn’t discriminate. It’s showing up in younger people. It’s showing up in people who have never smoked. And yet our screening guidelines still leave far too many out. That’s why awareness can’t stop on November 30. We need year-round education, advocacy, and a push for change. Signs and Symptoms of Lung Can...

As Lung Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, I want to share something important. You may have noticed that I kept my posts to a minimum this month. That was intentional. I wanted every message to be meaningful, impactful, and worth your time. And before the month closes, there’s still one conversation we need to have— your new normal after cancer treatment . When the scans finally show positive results and your oncologist says,  “Go live your life,”  you expect relief, joy, maybe even celebration. But what they don’t tell you is how strange it feels to step outside the bubble you've lived in for months. During treatment, you played it safe. You protected your energy, your body, and your peace. You didn’t always know who to trust or where you felt safe. That bubble became routine. But now?  Now you’re free… and that freedom can feel overwhelming. So how do you find comfort in this new chapter—your new normal? 3 Ways to Find Comfort in Your New Normal After Cancer Trea...

If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you love has just heard or had to process those two words that can flip a whole world upside down:   lung cancer. It’s not a club anyone signs up for. The meetings are emotional, the snacks are terrible, and the schedule? Completely unpredictable. But let me tell you this — the people who find themselves in this fight are some of the strongest, funniest, most determined humans out there. This post isn’t a medical manual or a list of side effects. It’s a reminder — a gentle nudge to breathe, to laugh when you can, and to keep that spark of humor alive no matter how heavy the days feel. Because sometimes, laughter really  is  the best lung exercise.   Stage 1: “Wait… What Just Happened?” The day of diagnosis hits harder than a toddler poking you in the eye— confusing, relentless, and emotional. Everything changes in a sentence. I remember my brother saying that cancer was  throwing a party in his lungs.  At f...

It’s hard to believe it’s already November — Lung Cancer Awareness Month — and almost a year since my brother, Josh, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Even writing those words still feels surreal. When we first heard the diagnosis, what I personally felt (and this is the first time I’ve ever said it out loud, outside of my own head) was that it was a death sentence. But what has unfolded since that day has been nothing short of remarkable. The months that followed were filled with countless trips from the East Coast to the West Coast — helping Josh through chemo, being a support system, and making sure he had everything he needed. There were many late-night calls, endless texts, and virtual visits to go over the information from his appointments. Josh wasn’t always retaining everything the doctors were saying, so we became his second set of ears, making sure nothing slipped through the cracks. After rounds of chemo and radiation — and now with a lifelong pill to help keep the can...

  The world feels heavy right now. The US government is shutdown because the two parties can’t reach an agreement. Financial strain is becoming more personal. We’re witnessing heartbreaking images and videos—like the one I just saw of ICE tackling a woman to deport her. It all feels like too much. And honestly, it  is  a lot. So the question is real:  How do we stay calm when everything feels like it’s falling apart? Let me be clear—this isn’t about tuning it out. Pretending everything is fine isn’t peace. That’s denial. And scrolling social media hoping to find truth or comfort? That can do more harm than good, especially when misinformation or emotionally charged content floods your feed. So again, how do we stay calm? 1. Acknowledge the Reality, But Don’t Drown in It It’s okay to say,  “This hurts.” It’s okay to feel sadness, anger, or fear. Emotions are not the enemy—disconnection is. We must stay aware of what’s happening, but we can’t let it consume us. Th...

October is well underway — but for those facing a breast cancer diagnosis, the journey doesn’t pause when the month ends. Whether the person is recently diagnosed or deep into treatment, our role as friends, family, allies matters. Breast cancer affects both women   and   men; awareness alone isn’t enough. What matters most is   how we show up ,   how we stay consistent , and   how we lift others up   in practical, meaningful ways. Why This Matters A diagnosis of Breast Cancer can bring immense emotional, physical and psychological stress. The thought of a mastectomy , reconstructive surgery , or managing treatments adds layers of complexity to an already overwhelming experience. Many feel isolated, misunderstood or simply exhausted by the fight. Having someone who shows care — not just in the moment, but over time — can make a profound difference. How to Be There: Practical Support Tips Here are actionable ways to support someone living with breast cancer...

  Still Up? Let's Talk About Doomscrolling  Told you guys I’d come back and talk about it. Were you holding your breath waiting to read about it? (No? I get it.) Funny thing is—I  fell asleep scrolling ... and  woke up scrolling.  Classic, right? So here we are. It’s almost midnight in Michigan , and if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re in the same boat: lit up by your phone screen, brain buzzing even though your body’s begging for sleep. Thought I’d write a little something for the other night owls out there, still stuck in the scroll. If you’re lying in bed in Detroit , Grand Rapids , Ann Arbor —or out in the quiet parts of the state—it’s the same story. Our phones have taken over bedtime. Let’s talk  doomscrolling . What Even Is Doomscrolling? Doomscrolling is that spiral you fall into when you just keep scrolling through  bad news , negative headlines, social media rants, or stressful updates. One minute you're checking the weather, and the ...