The Elephant in the Room is Cancer. Tea is the Relief Conversation Provides.

Posts by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN

Survivor

Marloe Esch, RN, BSN, Oncology Certified Nurse, AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor, and young adult cancer survivor, graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Nursing (Go Badgers!) in 2008. She enjoys educating both survivors and healthcare professionals on the topic of cancer and sexuality, and has presented for the Young Survival Coalition, the Oncology Nursing Society, and Planned Parenthood of WI, among others.  She holds a certificate from the Sexual Health Certificate Program through the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.  An enthusiastic supporter of sexual health and wellness, she is making it her mission to bring sex into the survivorship spotlight.

Marloe works as a Breast Care Nurse Navigator in Milwaukee, WI.  She lives in the Bay View neighborhood her husband and their cat, Princess Leia, in a fixer-upper that has “a lot of potential.” When she’s not at work or supervising her husband’s house projects, you’re likely to find her reading, writing, running, playing guitar, or enjoying a cold beverage and contemplating life. She’s also fairly competent at crochet, which comes in handy during the cold, dark Wisconsin winters. Feel free to give her a shout out at marloe.esch@uwalumni.com and let her know what questions you’ve got about sex, intimacy, and cancer!

Maybe, Baby? Birth Control After Cancer

by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN October 3, 2019

Don’t be afraid to bring up birth control at your next appointment.  Your provider can help you understand your risk of pregnancy and what options may be right for you.

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Used to Feel So Good, Now it Feels SO Baaaaad…

by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN June 14, 2019

Healthy blood vessels, nerves, and hormones all play a role in the genital changes that happen during sexual arousal.  Unfortunately, certain cancer treatments can disrupt any part of this complex process.  For example, pelvic surgery or radiation can alter the blood or nerve supply to your genitals, or cause tissue damage and scar formation. 

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Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN March 14, 2019

What we put in our bodies can have a major impact on how we feel throughout treatment, so it’s important to think of good nutrition as part of your treatment plan, and to make it a priority. 

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Saying Something: We Survivors Don’t Need Excuses, We Need Support. 

by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN February 8, 2019

There are definitely wrong things to say to people with cancer. Take, for example, the comment I received as a chemo patient from a stranger who insisted that I watch a YouTube video on her phone.

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