Author Archives: Jennie Spotila

Getting a Normal Result

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Jennie Spotila

It’s been a year since my breast cancer diagnosis. While I feel like I have finally recovered from treatment, that doesn’t mean my cancer experience is over. I am on medication to prevent a recurrence, and of course, I still … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Waylaid

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Jennie Spotila

Almost five years after the first cases of COVID-19 in China, I finally got it. Honestly, I expected this test to be positive for flu. My husband and I had been testing COVID negative on rapid antigen tests for days. … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Hello, Stranger

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Jennie Spotila

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last October, I had grand plans: I would blog through my surgery and whatever treatment followed. I was hungry for examples of other people with ME who had been through cancer treatment, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Favorite Reads of 2023

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Jennie Spotila

Listen, I know that everyone posted their favorite books of 2023 already. I wanted to as well, but my recovery from breast cancer surgery took longer than I anticipated, and now I’m getting radiation treatment. However, I still really want … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Enough

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

I’ve been waiting until I felt well enough to post about my breast cancer surgery and recovery, about the treatment I will begin in January. I have words to say about experiencing the healthcare system as a person with cancer … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

“I have cancer”

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

I told my husband last week, “It’s just as hard to tell people you have cancer as it is to find out you have cancer in the first place.” So, let me take a deep breath and say: I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

29

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

I got sick on October 6, 1994. Writing a memoir that spans almost three decades requires a lot of self-reflection, not only about what I’ve been through but about the choices I made, what I got wrong, and what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Ed Yong Made Me Cry

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

There I was, reading Ed Yong’s latest newsletter, and wondering if I had the energy to go downstairs for a cup of coffee. Near the end, Yong listed his upcoming appearances along with an invitation: Come say hi; please wear … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Lightning Book Review: Crip Up The Kitchen

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Jennie Spotila

I’ve loved to cook since I was a kid. I wanted to grow up to throw fancy dinner parties like my aunt, complete with appetizers and an elaborate dessert. And I did give some pretty awesome dinner parties, with menus … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Favorite Reads of 2022

Posted on December 30, 2022 by Jennie Spotila

Books are one of my favorite things, and I love to talk about them. Every reader is unique, of course, and we each have a wheelhouse–characteristics that will make us love (or hate) a book. Maybe you love stories about … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments