Category Archives: Health

Masculinity’s Evolutions

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Tom Simpson

I was planning to write sooner. After my second round of chemotherapy ended last Sunday, I thought — based on my experience with the first round — that it would be just a few days before I’d feel like myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball, Bosnia, cancer, Gender, Health, Peacebuilding, Popular Culture, Sports, Teaching, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Video Love

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Tom Simpson

Instead of a conventional post, I made a short little video message today, with so much love and gratitude for all your support as I undergo treatment for cancer. (This is also to keep my video production game in shape … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Health | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Soul Food

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Tom Simpson

My doctors warned me that the stretch following the first round of chemo could be rough, and they were right. These last few days I’ve been just slammed with exhaustion and nausea, lying in bed all day. It’s been miserable, … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Food, Health, Religion and Spirituality, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Starting the Conversation

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Tom Simpson

In recent months I’ve been looking inward, trying to get answers about what’s wrong with my body and health, and how I can relieve some of its distress. Surgery and chemotherapy — especially in my very fortunate case — are … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Health, Photography, Religion and Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

What’s Raging Inside

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Tom Simpson

In recent days and in recent posts, I’ve been reflecting a lot on living with sadness and fear. I’ve also felt relief, elation, and profound gratitude as my prognosis has improved dramatically and loved ones have surrounded me with astonishing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bosnia, cancer, Health, Politics, Religion and Spirituality | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Brace Yourself

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Tom Simpson

It’s been just a week since my surgery for cancer, and I can hardly believe how good I feel. Anxiety and dread, however, are starting to crowd out some of the elation and relief about how smoothly the surgery went … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Health, Religion and Spirituality | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Let’s Dance!

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Tom Simpson

I got some incredible news yesterday: the pathology reports from my surgery last week are in, and it’s the best possible scenario. My upcoming 12 weeks of chemotherapy will have a higher than 95% likelihood of ridding me of cancer … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, Health, Hip Hop, Music | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Bodies of Fear

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Tom Simpson

There have been only two days in my life when I’ve been prepared to die. Both have been in Boston (make of that what you will). The first was in the summer of 2017, when white nationalists promised they were … Continue reading →

Posted in Fatherhood, grief, grief, Health, Religion and Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Bosnia: My Food Paradise

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Tom Simpson

Today, pictures of some of my favorite Bosnian food. Some of these photographs are more, um, flattering than others. First, c(h)evapi, the classic beef sausage with onion, fresh cream (kajmak), and fabulous fresh bread (real Bosnians don’t put their cream … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography / Memoir, Bosnia, Food, Health, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Ballgame

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Tom Simpson

The summer sun has set, but my son, 5, is shouting for more practice, more pop flies. I insist on a tennis ball. The darkness might fool him, I say, and I don’t want him to take a baseball in … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography / Memoir, Baseball, Ethics, Gender, Health, Parenting, Popular Culture, Raising Boys, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments