Bob's Columns

Bob Riter is the retired Executive Director of the Cancer Resource Center. His articles about living with cancer appeared regularly in the Ithaca Journal and on OncoLink. He can be reached at bobriter@gmail.com.

A collection of Bob’s columns, When Your Life is Touched by Cancer: Practical Advice and Insights for Patients, Professionals, and Those Who Care, is available in bookstores nationwide and through online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Don’t Go Alone

It’s important to have someone with you at doctor’s appointments when you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis. I’ve written in the past that people often experience a brain freeze when

New Year’s Wishes 2016

I like to give myself a magic wand at this time of the year to grant wishes to those affected by cancer. Here are my wishes for 2016: I wish

Twenty Years in the Cancer World

It’s been nearly 20 years since I was diagnosed with cancer. When I step back from my day-to-day work, I realize how much has changed during those two decades: There’s

Chemobrain

Some people report memory loss, slower mental processing speed, and other cognitive changes after chemotherapy. Anyone who has been in a cancer support group has heard these symptoms described as

Second Opinions

People diagnosed with cancer sometimes ask me if their doctor will take offense if they get a second opinion. The answer is no. Nearly all doctors today are receptive to

Adam Goodwin

Everyone who has been treated for cancer has been through difficult weeks and months. I always tell people it’s more of a marathon than a sprint. But some people never

Being OK with Brain Cancer

Most cancers become life-threatening when they spread, or metastasize, from the original site to distant organs. Brain cancer is different in that it rarely metastasizes elsewhere. That isn’t much consolation,

Send a Card

A group of us from the Cancer Resource Center recently spoke with a class at Ithaca College. One student asked, “How can we help a friend who has cancer?” Beth

How to help a cancer patient’s caregiver

I often write columns that suggest ways that caregivers can help the person with cancer. Today, I want to suggest ways that the rest of us can help the caregiver. I’m

Caregiving Friends May Need a Break

I received a call last week that went something like this: “My friend has cancer and she wants me to visit on a regular basis. When I do visit, all

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