Entries by Carly Flumer

Embracing Telehealth: Protecting Our Data in a Medical Revolution

The world changed when the pandemic came upon us, and so did healthcare. Telehealth visits with our care teams were available, but not as prevalent as they are now. We […]

Care on the Rise: A Look at 2021 Healthcare Trends 

With 2021 now in full swing, there are many healthcare trends to watch out for, as COVID-19 has brought to light many nuances of healthcare, including health disparities and inequity. […]

A New “New Normal”: COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines and Cancer Patients 

Editor’s Note: This blog was updated 1/31/22 to reflect current vaccine guidelines. As we enter the 1-year mark of living in a pandemic, there have been a lot of changes […]

Empowered Patients Empower Patients: How to Take Charge of Your Diagnosis

What comes to your mind when you think of the word “empowerment?” Do you think of a specific person, thing, or event? What about an “empowered” patient? Do you think […]

Receive Personalized Support Through PEN’s New Text-Line

Now, you can receive personalized support from our Network Managers by texting EMPOWER to +1-833-213-6657. Each of our Network Managers is a compassionate volunteer who can offer you their first-hand […]

“Wait, There’s a Good Cancer?”

When the Luck of the Draw Leads to the Short End of the Stick Cancer is one of the most feared diseases. Everyone is affected by it in some way, […]

The Caregiver Impact: A Vital Part of Healthcare

Carly FlumerCarly Flumer is a young woman who was diagnosed with stage I papillary thyroid cancer at the age of 27. She recently received her Master’s degree from Boston University […]

Empowering Ourselves Forward: Applying Skills to Our Cancer Journey

During the pandemic, all of us have had to do some adjusting, some more than others. As cancer patients, we recognize the “new normal” everyone else is experiencing. While this […]

The Power of the PEN Empowerment Lead Program

I never dreamed of being a patient advocate, but then again, I never dreamed of receiving a cancer diagnosis, either. When I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in January 2017, […]

Communicating About Cancer: A Brief Guide to Telling People Who Care

Getting a cancer diagnosis can easily be the most terrifying, heart-wrenching experiences one has in their lifetime. Everything from different treatment options (if you’re lucky), to financing, and maintaining quality […]

Top Resources for Thyroid Cancer

General Resources, Including Medical Information thyca.org– Thyca, Inc. (has everything you need to know about thyroid cancer as well as general thyroid information) cancer.gov– National Cancer Institute aacr.org– American Association […]

Reaching the Peak: Finding Resilience During Cancer

What does it mean to be “resilient” as a cancer survivor? Does it mean having the courage to remain positive? The strength to carry yourself into the next chapter of […]

Thyroid Cancer Glossary of Terms

Thyroid Conditions Hyperthyroidism – A condition that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. Thyroid hormones control the way the body uses energy and […]

Cancer: The Scariest Ride of Them All

June is home to National Cancer Survivors Day (June 7th), a day to celebrate the journey of survivors, who are defined as “patients diagnosed with cancer.” While there are multiple […]

Health Exercises to Tap Into Your Resiliency

The current pandemic the world is facing has caused a whirlwind of emotions, especially for immunocompromised patients, including cancer patients. Every feeling, from grief to sadness, and anger to hopelessness, […]