Weekly Round Up

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 I’ve wanted to share with you. Don’t forget if you have written a post which you would like readers to see, just leave a comment below.

I am counting down the days to the Stanford Medicine X conference (click here to see how you can participate virtually) and one of the talks I am most looking forward to is a joint panel led by some of my social media heroes.   Communicating the experience of illness in the digital age will touch on Kellergate and how much information we “should” share online.  The discussions that have been happening in advance of this panel bring up the issue of vulnerability.  I am acutely attuned to the topic and was delighted to read Justine’s blog on vulnerability and courage this week. Helen points to the fact that by sharing our story we may very well be helping another person. Meanwhile Lisa Adams still continues to write movingly and honestly on her blog.

Another aspect to this debate is society’s expectation of how we “should” act – @luluchange14 on her blog addresses this topic.

I defend your right to express how your disease makes you feel but not your right to tell me how I should feel. Since when did it become my responsibility to make others feel better about my early death?

Bone crushing fatigue. Perhaps you are experiencing it right now as you go through treatment. Or if your treatment is finished, you may still find you are struggling with tiredness and cognitive impairment. If so you will identify strongly with Jen’s recent post.

Exercise. Love it or loathe it? I am in the latter camp and really envy those who love to exercise. Thankfully I am not alone and Nancy shares some great motivating tips to encourage us to get moving. If there is one thing I dislike more than exercise it’s housework, and reading Catherine’s blog this week, I realize that exercise and housework are really closely related!

The words we use to describe cancer can be a hotly debated topic in the blogosphere. Ann delves into the meaning behind some of the more familiar terms such as NED and remission which can cause confusion.

I love Audrey’s blog for its passionate advocacy of compassionate and humane patient-centered care. Her latest post is so beautifully written and well expressed on this topic – it’s a must-read for anyone working in the front line of healthcare.

Beth weighs in on the prophylactic mastectomy debate with a great blog this week and check out Anne Marie’s take on things here and Margaret on her blog here. Meanwhile Rachel is reporting from the front line of a mastectomy surgery.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere….

Kay writes about the importance of peer support on our cancer journey.

Cute pictures by Jamie of her pixie crop growing out.

Jo invites her chemo buddy to blog on what the experience is like from an outsider perspective.

A must-read by Elizabeth on learning when it’s ok to say no.

Terrific post by Beth on transitioning from active treatment.

Information on the role of the oncology nurse navigator on the Breast Investigators blog.

How to choose a bra after breast cancer surgery is the topic for discussion on Jackie’s blog.

Katherine has information on upcoming metastatic breast cancer events.

Tracy writes of letting go of baggage.

A loving letter from Renee to her son Ian.

Eileen has written an ode to her lost nodes in a brilliantly creative blog post.

Belated birthday greetings to Philippa who has been on her adventurous travels again.

Tric has been nominated for best blog post in the Irish Blog Awards and she needs your vote.

What’s it like to return to work after cancer treatment? Barbara tackles the topic on her blog.

Stephanie shares her story of being diagnosed with breast cancer when 17 weeks pregnant on the Living Beyond Breast Cancer blog.

Check out this delish recipe for easy zucchini chips at Join Me For Dinner – one of my favorite foody blogs.

Finally this week, I leave you with some thoughts courtesy of Michael Leunig, posted on Lisey’s blog – thanks Lisey for sharing.

Until next week…

Find a tree, some grass and do some dreaming…

Yours with love

Marie xxx