Why do you blog?

I have written before about my reasons for setting up this blog, primarily because I believe than in telling our stories we can help heal the wounded selves and in the hope that in my story others on the same path may find some resonance and the knowledge that they are not alone. Learning how others walked this path can enrich our own journey of discovery.

I came across an interesting post written by Dennis Pyritz on his Being Cancer blog, reflecting on this very topic and would like to share some of his thoughts here with you.

Cancer blogs usually have a rawness, an emotional openness that is hard to find in a conversation or other typical social situation.  We sense that the experiences revealed in cancer blogs are happening to real people, people just like us, in real time and in real places.  And despite the immediacy of the event there is the safety, sitting behind our computer monitors in the corner of a kitchen or study, the insularity of distance.  We can choose or not choose to interact, to share our pain.

Fortunately for many of us there seem to be enough fellow travelers out there that dare to share, to express empathy and support.  It is, after all, comforting to know that there are others out there that truly know what we are going through.  To know that we are not alone in our enduring. The intention of family and friends to provide sympathy and understanding is most always well-meaning and heartily appreciated.  Still we may feel alone because we sense that that the precise nature of what we are going through can only be felt by another suffering the same fate.

Many bloggers, at least, begin with the need to let others know, as much as is possible, the pain, despair, joy, gratitude, relief, and weariness that is their new normal, their new daily life.  But then later there is that other impulse – the suspicion that, in writing a blog dedicated to our personal fight with cancer, we can make something of value to others.  We can create something to bolster and reinforce the struggle of others with our disease.  And finally there can be something said about the sense of community that developes through all this interaction of friends, family, and strangers.  The strength of numbers.  When you are feeling down, others might lift you up.  And when those others are down, you can return the favor.

So how about you? Why did you start your cancer blog? What have you gained from doing so? I would love to hear your views.