The Ripple Effect

Third Time Lucky: A Creative Recovery

This is a story for every woman who genuinely seeks the truth in her life and yearns to live a more authentic existence. It’s been a joy for me this week to help… Read More

Creating A Space Of Love

When we reach out in compassion and love to other people, we are filling the space that surrounds them–and us–with love.  We are creating a space of love.  We are rooting ourselves in… Read More

Weekly Round Up: The Survivors Day Edition

Time for this week’s round-up of the best of the blog posts which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which… Read More

Are you ashamed to be ill?

In our competitive society, chronic infirmity or illness is viewed as a personal failing rather than the random stroke of fate that it is ~  Angelika Byczkowski I recently spotted a post on… Read More

Angelina Jolie Tackles Cancer Head-On

My Twitter stream this morning was filled with references to Angelina Jolie’s “medical choice” so I clicked on one of the many links to the New York Times Op Ed piece by the… Read More

Cancer has become a part of my journey but it’s not the whole story

After being told she could not be cured, and ­determined not to become known as “Cancer Girl”, Bernie Nolan started to write the story of her life. Cancer has become a part of… Read More

Compassion

The secret ingredient in allowing ourselves to begin again is compassion. ~ SharonSalzberg

Driving the Cancer Bus: Cancer and PTSD

It’s an honor for me today to feature a special guest blog by Diane Haber,  founder of  The Renewal Center – A Wellness Oasis for Cancer Survivors, a center which focuses on people… Read More

Belonging

When we belong, we have an outside mooring to prevent us from falling into ourselves ~  John O’Donohue

Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 11 #HAWMC

Day 11 of the WEGO Health Activist Writer’s Month which I have signed up for – a month dedicated to the art of writing about health.  Today’s prompt is to write about your favorite… Read More

18 Million Cancer Survivors Expected by 2022

Reblogged from Health & Family: An aging population coupled with improved treatment methods mean more people will survive cancer. But at what cost? Read more… 648 more words I am interested to see… Read More

Missing My Mother On Her Birthday

Today is my mother’s birthday. It also marks two years since the last day I got to spend with my Mum before she got ill. I replay in my mind what we did… Read More

Guest Post: In Your Shoes

Today’s special guest post comes from my dear friend and passionate cancer advocate, Vanessa Reid.  Vanessa is a LIVESTRONG  leader and has recently returned from the third annual LIVESTRONG Assembly, which aims to promote the collaboration and… Read More

Valerie Harper: “While you’re living, live”

Actress Valerie Harper, star of the 1970s television comedy “Rhoda,” says she is determined to “live each day’s moments fully” despite a brain cancer diagnosis that doctors told her could bring death in… Read More

Reflections On Hope

As we neared the end of last year, I was sent this touching guest post by Catherine. To my shame, it got lost in my email in-box until now. Still, I am sure… Read More

The myths surrounding Anastacia’s breast cancer recurrence

This week I have been reading some excellent articles on the language we use to describe cancer – its diagnosis, treatment, and aftermath.  In particular, Atif Kukaswadia’s The Problem With Fighting Cancer in  PLOS… Read More

Is there a hierarchy among cancer survivors?

It has been enlightening  and uplifting to read your comments on my post on knowing when it is time to walk away from a situation.  One line from Cathy’s comment really stood out… Read More

Knowing when it is time to quit

Julia Barnickle shared this image on Facebook today and it was one of those right message at the right time moments for me. A recent online interaction brought this message forcibly home to… Read More

Returning To Work After Cancer: How To Deal With Co-Workers

Thanks so much to everyone who commented and shared their experiences of how to handle job applications and interviews after a diagnosis of cancer. I loved that many of you (myself included) have… Read More

Mind The Gap: How To Explain Cancer Related Work Absence In Your CV

I promised one of my readers that I would tackle the topic of how to address a gap in your work history as a result of cancer and I hope you will help… Read More

Saved By A Poem

Poetry, the most ancient form of prayer, is a necessary medicine for our times: a companion through difficulty; a guide when we are lost; a salve when we are wounded; and a conduit… Read More

Establishing Your New Normal: Life After Cancer

Can my life be normal after breast cancer? This was one of the search terms used to direct a reader to my blog recently. I was really struck by the question, and I… Read More

Waiting for the perfect moment to begin something new?

 

Transcript #BCCEU Chat: The Challenges of Cancer Survivorship

Thanks to everyone who listened in, tweeted and retweeted on this week’s #BCCEU chat on the challenges of cancer survivorship. It was a lively discussion! In case you missed it or you would… Read More

The Challenges Of Cancer Survivorship

Reblogged from Breast Cancer Chat Europe : In this month’s #BCCEU Twitter chat we will be discussing what Marie learned at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer 2013 Survivorship Conference, a unique… Read More

The Power of Patient Blogs: A Window Into the Lived Experience

Reblogged from Health Communications and Health Advocacy: “Patient blogs reveal the true extent of the impact of cancer on finances, work practices, family life…they offer a window into the lived experience of the… Read More

Reflections on my 4th blogoversary

Logging onto my WordPress dashboard this morning, I was greeted with this message: So, it’s been four years since I started out on my blogging journey with the aim of coming to a… Read More

In Praise Of An Ordinary Day

I came across these lines this morning and I really want to share them with you. When I think back to the times I was laid low by chemo, sick and tired, how I longed for an ordinary day.  And… Read More

Using Social Media For Social Good

Isn’t this hilarious? And kinda, sadly a bit true sometimes… Except… For those of us who have found in social media an incredible way to research, learn and connect on a global level.… Read More

Breast Cancer And Exercise: What You Should Know

Reblogged from Breast Cancer Chat Europe : Over the past decade, exercise has emerged as an integral aspect of cancer survivorship and preventing or treating the late effects of therapy. A growing body… Read More

The power of patient blogs

I have been writing this blog for close to 4 years, and as I look back on how Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer has evolved over those years, I see a similar evolution in… Read More

We heal together

I was so touched by all your kind and supportive comments yesterday on the first anniversary of my mother’s death. It made me think of something I read this week by Caroline Myss.… Read More

Respond to every call that excites your spirit

 

New breast cancer social media chat for Europe #BCCEU

You may already be familiar with healthcare tweet chats.  The healthcare social media community (#hcsm) is very active on Twitter and new chat sessions on health and medical related subjects are continually emerging.… Read More

Revisiting cancer survivorship

I have written about this topic several times here on Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer, as I have become more and more aware of how many people dislike the term “survivorship”. I use the… Read More

Words of wisdom for the newly diagnosed

Reblogged from The Pink Underbelly: A dear friend of mine asked me to compile a list of things to know when facing a cancer diagnosis. A friend of hers is newly diagnosed with… Read More

A special thank you to all my readers

Good morning everyone! This morning feels like the night after the Academy Awards, as I look at my shiny new blog award from last night’s Blog Awards Ireland 2012.  It was a wonderful night… Read More

Cause for Concern: Shattering the Stigma of Depression and Breast Cancer

Reblogged from The Carter Center Blog: and Rebecca Palpant Shimkets Rebecca Palpant Shimkets is assistant director for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism at The Carter Center. This blog is part… Read More

Did Stress Cause My Cancer?

Does stress weaken the immune system allowing the cancer to grow? It’s a widespread belief – but how accurate is it? The question of  the link between stress and cancer has been investigated by… Read More

Be Brave And Keep Going

This is for those of us who need a bit of courage this week. For those of us who are finding the climb to recovery has become harder or has stalled. Remembering “that… Read More

Grieving life’s losses and finding your new normal

Grief is a natural response to loss and although  we normally associate grief with the death of a loved one, the fact is that any loss can cause grief, including serious illness.I have… Read More

Reframing Cancer Survivorship

Today, on  National Cancer Survivors Day, I am asking the question who are cancer survivors and is it really necessary to set aside a day to celebrate survivorship? The terms cancer survivor and… Read More

Cancer memoir in six words

I love the challenge Renn has put to us over at her Big C and Me blog: Can you condense your cancer experience into just six words? Renn has risen to the challenge… Read More

Cancer and Web 2.0

It is an honor for me that Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer is now featured by Webicina.com in its section on Cancer and Web 2.0.  Webicina.com is the world’s first and only free service that provides curated medical… Read More

*Featured Post* What happens after cancer treatment ends?

A reader has contacted me to say that she is struggling with her feelings six months after her treatment for breast cancer ended.  She asked if I would address the topic here and… Read More

Motivation Monday

Weekly Round Up: The Life Carries On Edition

Time for this week’s round-up of the best of the blog posts which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which… Read More

THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY

Reblogged from MAGSBLOG: I discovered a new blog today – check out magsblog – a breast cancer experience in cartoons.

Mindful Monday – Dedicated To Karen

Once again I am dedicating these words to our dear friend Karen – who has always turned a listening ear toward us and shown so many acts of kindness in the blogosphere.

Weekly Round Up – The Angelina Jolie Edition

Time for this week’s round-up of the best of the blog posts which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which… Read More