Weekly Round-Up

Welcome to this week’s blog round-up. I’m so glad you’re here.

I know I will not be alone in remembering the “metal mouth” experience Carolyn writes of this week, from my own chemo journey — how it steals the joy of eating and makes even favourite foods unrecognisable. It’s such a tough side effect to endure. Drawing from research and personal experience, Carolyn highlights how overlooked this issue often is, and how even small pleasures like a raspberry or coffee are now out of reach.

Barbara offers guidance on setting boundaries with visitors during breast cancer treatment.

Gabby recounts how persistent shoulder pain reignited fears years after her cancer diagnosis—and sparked a deeper return to emotional and physical healing.

Jennifer shares her process for managing emotional overload in the months following her DCIS diagnosis.

Connie reflects on a solo journey to a lavender farm on San Juan Island, where the beauty of the moment reminded her what it means to truly be present.

Undermined by jealous voices in her youth, Beth writes of how she reclaimed her confidence and voice. Her stunning artwork—recently featured in Wildfire Journal—captures the raw vulnerability of young women facing breast cancer and transforms pain into strength.

Finally, this week, I leave you with a gentle and timely reminder about the power of compassion from Lisa.

What can I do for flood victims hundreds of miles away or children in war-torn countries half a world away? I can sit in silence and let my heart feel compassion. I don’t know their pain, but I can feel human pain. I can offer a prayer. Does it make a difference? I believe it does. The pause and softening allows me to bring my kinder self to whatever I am doing next, rather than be hardened by the hopelessness that can sweep me away.

Until next week

May you be kind and compassionate towards yourself in the days ahead

Much love always

Marie xxx