A heartfelt memoir of select chemicals I blissfully interacted with between 1971 and 2024.

I don’t think I need to say this, but just in case.

Just because someone interacts with a carcinogen doesn’t mean they will get cancer. And even they did, it’s not like the cancer has an origin label.

Regarding the entries on this site, understand the human brain does not record information perfectly (and some of my memories are very old). Each person’s immune system reacts differently, likely contributing to the occurrence, or absence, of cancer. Further, the understanding of carcinogens and epidemiology continues to advance. Thus - don’t take these writings for anything more than one person’s memoir.

Take a stroll

  • images that convey the impact of PCB pollution on a suburb and city, captured in the style of 1960s and 1970s American fashion and lifestyle photography, complete with the era's distinctive color palette and photographic effects

    Chemicals around my work

    Stories of contaminated sites I’ve cleaned up, like one in a first ring suburb of Minneapolis that contained PCBs.

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  • capture the scene of tar being poured over logs next to suburban houses, depicted in the style of 1960s and 1970s American photography with the era's vibrant colors and camera effects.

    Chemicals around my house

    Stories including Reilly Tar, the superfund site I lived near between 1971 (prenatal) and 1978 (age five).

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  • moment of a young girl dyeing her hair red, styled in the 1980s fashion but with the color and camera techniques of the 1960s and 1970s.

    Other chemicals and carcinogens

    While I’ve obviously interacted with thousands of chemicals and quite a few radioactive materials, these stick out as helping frame the person I am.

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  • dventurous spirit of crossing a rope bridge, all set against the backdrop of a serene mountain landscape.

    Cancer Journey

    Stories of my cancer journey including some of my experiences with treatments, along with random anecdotes and updates.

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About Amanda

I am an environmental specialist currently working in technology and undergoing the Nordic Regimen to treat Stage IV-B mantle cell lymphoma at the Mayo Clinic. I attended the University of Minnesota and was awarded a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with Distinction in Environmental Science. I completed my Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sustainability at Yale University.

**All views expressed are my own and not those of my employer, my healthcare team, nor my alma maters**

  • Chemistry + Memory = Chemory

    ˈkem-rē