Brian Blum
Brian Blum is a freelance writer, journalist and editor. He works for an eclectic mix of newspapers, online magazines, universities, non-profit organizations and public companies. "This Normal Life," his personal blog, has appeared weekly since 2002. A former hi-tech entrepreneur, Brian moved to Jerusalem from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1994 with his wife and three children. More at Blum Interactive Media
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Words matter: How we speak about cancer can hinder healing - opinion
The full Monty: When dog and owner are both battling cancer - opinion
To pee or not to pee: A cancer patient's experience with a nephrostomy - opinion
Indulging in TV: A cancer patient's escape - opinion
I’d much rather be outdoors hiking or having fun beyond the telly – I hope that will come back. In the meantime, TV it is.
Fighting cancer: How a hospital stay at Hadassah feels like an international flight - opinion
I envisioned hospitalization as being somewhat akin to taking an international flight to an exotic location.
When cancer treatment goes wrong: An irreversibly damaged kidney and worsened lymphoma - opinion
The stent hadn’t helped after all; the impacted kidney had, in fact, been irreversibly damaged and was now functioning at a paltry 20%. Why? The cancer was back, and worse.
My first fentanyl: What it was like being sedated by the infamous narcotic - opinion
Fentanyl has long been used for pain reduction and sedation in medical settings.
Horrors and heroes: Reasons to bless the bad that came from Oct. 7 - opinion
The Mishna suggests that even the most personal of tragedies can and should receive a blessing.
8 essential English-language podcasts to understand Israel's war - opinion
Here are eight essential English-language podcasts that have kept me in the know.
Yoni Bloch's fantasy peace video gives the faintest glimmer of hope - opinion
Much of what is shown in the video is artificially generated, envisioning the emotional response in Israel - and in Bloch’s rendering, worldwide - to the release of the hostages.
Cancer is not a ‘battle’: Reframing the experience of people with cancer and its symptoms - opinion
Referring to cancer as a “battle” minimizes the many real issues faced by cancer patients who must live with nausea, pain, fatigue, and more.
'There won't be a state': Will internal strife lead another Jewish nation to ruin? - opinion
Both Solomon’s kingdom and the Hasmonean dynasty were beset by internal strife in their fourth quarters, allowing external enemies to destroy the Jewish state. That pattern is happening again.
‘I’ve never been with a bald man before’ - opinion
“I’ve always found the Israeli-man-with-the-shaved-head look to be very sexy,” my wife, Jody, said.
