MSI Press Blog

  Some cats choose their humans. Some cats create them. Intrepid did both. He entered our lives in late 2005, a tiny tabby-mau kitten rescued from the grass outside a professor’s home in Jordan, where we were living and working at the time. Fearless from the start—hence his name—Intrepid ate like a creature possessed, sleeping curled beside the food bowl as if it might vanish. Once he realized food was a permanent fixture, he turned his attention to the rest of the house… and the laws of physics. Kamikaze leaps across the living room, potted plants as landing pads, chaos as his calling card. He was our smallest cat, but the bravest. He bonded instantly with Murjan , our alpha male, who mothered him with nightly snuggles. Murjan’s paws wrapped protectively around Intrepid in a feline embrace of pure love. I left Jordan to return to the States six months before Carl did. Murjan came with me. Intrepid stayed behind with Carl. And that’s when the real magic happened. Carl and Intr...

  Today’s entry is for those whose cancer journeys don’t end with one diagnosis—or even one kind of cancer. My friend has been battling breast cancer for over five years. She’s endured a double mastectomy and the removal of all reproductive organs. Now, she faces surgery for melanoma. I, too, have had cancer—adenocarcinoma removed from my face. But our paths, while both marked by courage, stress, and trepidation, differ in ways that matter. 🔍 Understanding the Differences Type of Cancer : Breast cancer and melanoma are biologically distinct. Breast cancer originates in breast tissue, often hormone-sensitive. Melanoma begins in pigment-producing skin cells and is known for its potential to spread quickly. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands. Mine was localized and removed surgically. Extent of Disease : My cancer was caught early and treated definitively. My friend’s experience is systemic and ongoing. Her body has endured multiple ...

  Carl died of cancer. That much is true, and terrible, and simple on the surface. But the story is more complex than a single disease. COVID-19 didn’t cause Carl’s cancer—but it surely made his path to diagnosis, care, and support harder. It distorted the shape of the last chapter of his life in ways that were subtle, cumulative, and unforgivable. Carl’s cancer was diagnosed late. How late, we’ll never know. But we do know this: in the early months of the pandemic, Carl’s doctor wasn’t seeing patients in person. Like many, he was doing only virtual visits. So when Carl started losing weight—quickly, inexplicably—it was easy to dismiss it as something positive. Carl himself believed it was a good thing. He looked thinner, healthier even, after years of carrying extra pounds. In a regular year, a doctor might have seen the warning signs: how the weight was distributed, how Carl moved, how he looked close up. Maybe they would have ordered tests earlier. Maybe they would have caught i...

  An Open Letter to Cancer Patients: Partnering with Your Caregiver Dear Cancer Patient, Your cancer journey is one of the most challenging paths you'll ever walk. As you navigate this difficult terrain, your caregiver walks beside you, sharing your burden and helping to light the way. Today, I want to talk about how you can work together with your caregiver to create the best possible care environment for both of you. First and foremost, please remember that your caregiver, while dedicated to your wellbeing, is also human. They experience fatigue, stress, and emotional exhaustion. Your kindness and appreciation mean the world to them. A simple "thank you" or acknowledgment of their efforts can replenish their emotional reserves and help prevent burnout. This is especially crucial if your caregiver is your spouse, who needs adequate sleep and rest to maintain their own health and continue providing you with quality care. Communication is the foundation of any caregiving r...