Weekly Round Up: The New Year’s 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 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.

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to a fresh year of blogging. I am looking forward to watching your blogs grow in 2015 and welcoming new bloggers to our community.

So we are barely into the New Year, and our first controversy has already ignited the blogosphere. Here’s how Beth explains it:

We have just dipped our toes into the New Year, but someone’s outrageous views on cancer death has already caught the attention of the public. On December 31, Richard Smith wrote a post for The BMJ blog titled “Dying of Cancer is the Best Death.” And this is Smith’s thesis: that it is far better to die a slow death that cancer affords than from a sudden death.

You had lots to say in response to what Beth calls “an illogical, twisted way of thinking” and Uzma a “highly irresponsible” view point.

 Janet, Andy, Caroline Lee, Knot Telling, and Chelsey, all point out the flaw in Smith’s logic

The reality is that death from cancer often does not conform to Smith’s vision. (Janet)

The notion of having “time” to have one last hooray before death answers the door…it doesn’t happen. That is not reality. Not for the vast majority of us. (Andy)

In fact most of the time, time is spent in hospitals, feeling horribly ill, attending doctors appointments, having blood drawn. It’s horrendous. (Chelsey)

His nonchalant views on cancer just add more misunderstanding to the disease, you know the misconception that people think you are cured or cancers not that bad. How bloody irresponsible of him when people work so hard to support people affected and highlight the seriousness of cancer. (Caroline)

just put the word “death” into the search box in the right sidebar. Spoiler alert: you won’t find “love, morphine and whiskey” in there at all. Telling Knots

As Corrie points out

My guess is that anyone who has sat by the bedside of someone moaning through breakthrough morphine that isn’t dulling the pain from bone metastases, might desire a different option for letting go of their mortal coil.

Lara also takes issue with Smith’s belief that we should stop “wasting” money on cancer research.

I will never ever agree with the statement that we should stop “wasting billions trying to cure cancer.”  Nope.  Cancer research has saved lives and will continue to save lives.  The money being spent and used on cancer research is priceless to those with metastatic disease  who don’t have the gift of time or people like me, in remission, who pray to God that my disease doesn’t come back.

Dr Jay Detsky, is not disputing the crassness of Smith’s article, but nevertheless he raises the question of when enough treatment is enough and calls for doctors “to get better at talking about end of life decisions, at an earlier stage of patients’ illness. The stigma around discussing death needs to be lifted to improve end-of-life care for all.”

While not directly related to Smith’s article, the Cancer Curmudgeon‘s latest post is indirectly related to the debate; as are Katy‘s wonderful words:

May it take a long, long, time to get to the end.

I will leave the final comment on this to our beloved Jan:

I am thankful to be alive as 2015 approaches. Two years ago I never expected to last this long. In the meantime I had the honor of seeing two sons married. I await my next brain scan in January and receive targeted antibody treatments every three weeks until they no longer work or I die of another cause. We do what we must. I will continue to exercise, eat nutritious meals, pray, and enjoy the company of my family and friends.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere…

Many of my long-term readers will remember Brenda Ray Coffee, a cherished member of our BC blogosphere. Brenda has moved on to new adventures, but she is still in our thoughts. Four years ago we grieved with her when she lost her beloved husband James during the holidays; in Boxes Of Life And Love  she unearths some special memories.

Grieving the loss of a loved one is especially hard during the holidays, and Rachel offers some advice on dealing with grief at this time.

Jackie celebrates the return of her period after cancer treatment.

Sharon offers advice on parenting with breast cancer.

Is it just bad luck that causes cancer? Interesting question debated by Caroline  and Chloe this week.

A warm welcome back to the blogosphere to Lori and Kathi – you’ve been missed.

Elizabeth has wise advice on how to keep those New Year’s Resolutions.

Audrey starts the new year with some exciting plans.

Tami reflects on the “mixed bag” that was 2014 for her.

Both Rebecca and Renee have followed the tradition of choosing a word to guide the year ahead.

A timely suggestion by Debbie that sometimes it’s good to take a time out.

Yvonne Watterson takes us a journey through her year; a journey both lyrical and musical – a real treat to savour.

A beautiful reminder from Anne Marie how kindness truly makes a difference in our world.

And finally, this week I leave you with some lovely New Year’s wishes from Jill, Renn, Eileen, Florence, Ann Marie Otis, Kimberly, Ann Silberman, Tracy, Rachel, Barbara, Ciel, Dawn.

Wishing you all good health, happiness and a blogtastic 2015.

Yours with love

Marie xxx