Weekly Round-Up
Time for this week’s round-up of the best of the blogs 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. Remember, if you have written or read a post recently which you would like me to share with readers, then please leave a comment below.
Nancy’s post on being blindsided by grief missing her Mom was almost too painful for me to read, so raw and real is its depiction of heartbreaking loss. I was also deeply saddened to read Tami’s moving post on the nature of grief as she comes to terms with the death this week of her brother Mitch.
I’ve been reading and reflecting a lot on grief for the past few months and the words of grief therapist, Tabitha Jane, really hit home for me when I read them this week:
When the storm of grief hits us, all we can do at first is batten down the hatches and do what we must to survive the initial assault. The storm affects us all differently. Some of us may be completely uprooted and need to start our lives again from scratch. Others may emerge battered and broken but still intact. While some of us may have actually danced in the storm, bending and flexing ourselves to its demands.
One of the techniques employed by Tabitha is a Tree of Transformation for Grief and Loss and you can read more about it and explore more resources on her website http://www.tabithajayne.com
This week Jackie at Dispatch From Second Base is reflecting on a question which I know many of us think about it – how much are we comfortable with sharing online? What are the things we hold back from sharing and can we share too much of ourselves? I found this theme echoed in Terri’s post The Secrets We Keep, when she reveals her vulnerability on a certain topic as she travels to New Delhi. I love the Brene Brown quote Terri concludes with “what makes us vulnerable also makes us beautiful.”
Catherine is taking us along for the ride on her fertility journey and I am so pleased that she is writing about this important topic in the lives of younger breast cancer survivors.
Another moving powerful remembering of Rachel on Being Sarah’s blog this week.
Last year, I featured a guest post by Irish woman, Maire Garvey, organiser of the annual Dip in the Nip cancer fundraiser. Maire is working hard again this year to raise more money and awareness and I loved the latest post on her blog – the story of Audrey, a “virgin dipper”.
Florence features a very interesting post by guest blogger Rachel, this week – all about finding the hidden blessings in cancer…or not. This is a controversial topic both on and off line with people taking up very opposing stands on the whole blessing in disguise/cancer is a gift idea, so I agree with what Rachel has to say about it – in the end it’s a personal choice how you choose to view cancer. When so much choice and power is taken away from us with cancer, it is good to know we have still have the power to choose how we view the disease – and I do believe whatever way we do that, so long as it’s right for you personally, is no one’s business but your own.
Another great week of blogging at Where We Go Now, including feathering your survivor’s nest, developing self-confidence and Susan Boyle!
I am in the habit of repeating myself often when it comes to Phillipa but really her blog does feature the most exotic images and locations and I feel as if she takes me along with her on her trip each time I read of her latest travelling exploits. This week she is in Macau.
We dwell a lot on the stresses of the emotional fall out from cancer in the BC blogosphere, but every so often practical issues raise their head, and reading Jan’s latest post on her frustration with insurance underwriting brought a lot of stressful memories back for me too.
Finally, straying from her usual content AnneMarie has been reflecting on the legacy left behind by Marie Colvin, the war reporter killed in Syria this week. I am so glad that she did stray into different territory – though it’s not so different after all – to remind us of the words used by Rosemarie Colvin about her daughter’s legacy
Be passionate and be involved in what you believe in. And do it as thoroughly and honestly and fearlessly as you can.
Until next week, keep working on your own passion..and compassion, for as Renn so beautifully reminds us “All life is interrelated. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality; tied in a single garment of destiny.”
Love Marie xxx
Marie:
Your words on how we choose to view our disease really resonate with me. I’ve written a lot about the “gifts and losses” of cancer, but I’ve always maintained that each of us is entitled to our own personal view on the issue. There is no right or wrong way to do cancer. Each person heals themselves as best they can and in their own way.
Thanks for including me in this week’s round-up. I really appreciate your support of WWGN.
Survival > Existence,
Debbie
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I had you in mind too when I wrote those words Debbie, remembering your first guest post on Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer
https://journeyingbeyondbreastcancer.com/2011/07/06/debbies-discovery-of-cancers-gifts/
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Thanks so much for including me in this week’s round-up. And thanks, also, for your continued encouragement 🙂
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You are so welcome – I appreciate your continued support too Catherine x
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Thank you again, Marie, for this sensational round-up. Such a diversity of topics this week! And thanks for including my blog post among so many others whose authors write from their hearts. I feel so privileged. XOXO
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At the risk of repeating myself again Jan..but then it is something that bears repeating 😉 I really appreciate your continued support every week x
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What a wonderful suprise to see myself mentioned in your weekly round-up. I’m pleased that you’re finding value in what I do.
Tabitha 🙂
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I am a regular reader of your tweets and posts Tabitha and find them very healing
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Marie,
SO much in this post speaks to me on so many levels. First, thank you for including me in with such wonderful and talented bloggers. But, to share that which speaks to me from every ONE of these wonderful women….
I’m in my own “land of loss” and though it doesn’t involve the death of a loved one, it’s stressful and life changing and I’m grieving. I’m running right for Tabitha Jane for some guidance. And, in keeping with what we share online, my own backstory is something I would love to share with my “sisters” as I know I would find amazing support and encouragement. Yet, I’m in a very lonely & alone place with this one. At least for now…… It makes it so hard. I am an open book and to have to keep this from a group of people whom I have come to rely upon? Upsetting.
Being vulnerable, the choices we make with regard to how we view our cancer and the “fallout” (like what Catherine is dealing with)-all relevant. How the world judges a book by it’s cover…..as with Susan Boyle….. no greater satisfaction than watching the jaws drop immediately after those judges were OUTWARDLY showing something akin to borderline disdain. Reminds me to LOOK beneath the surface with everything.
Phillipa’s writing is a joy as it does take me away from the insanity of my own life. I am in all sorts of exotic places and when I need a quick vacation, I run right to her blog and pick a destination. And then, I find myself staring right back at my OWN insurance appeal that I still haven’t resolved. It’s being reviewed by New York State and it’s eight months already….. And I see other things that outrage me and I realize how much I miss Rachel’s voice. I want to reach out and give Sarah a giant hug. (And, my own very special friend, also named Sarah from Manchester is in NYC NOW and I am going to see her on Sunday…. it’s been close to 20 years…… my visit will be one filled with excitement….. unlike our sister Sarah whose trip to the states was filled with such sorrow)
Yes, we are all interconnected. We can thank the internet for providing the ties that bind. I’m beginning to ramble…. so I will end this by saying that , I send such a heartfelt and personal thank YOU to you, Marie, for helping to weave this tapestry with all of our threads!
With Love, Passion & Fearlessness,
AnneMarie
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And thank you AnneMarie for such a detailed commented which in itself is like a round up of the round up 😉
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Thanks so much Marie for including me with these wonderful bloggers. And thanks for all the time, energy and enthusiasm you contribute to the blogging community.
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Hi, Marie.
I’m delighted you included Audreys story. I never fail to be moved by the stories that the Dippers tell me, especially the Virgin Dippers! Hopefully, I’ll hear a lot more this weekend!
Máire
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Once again, thank you for bringing the best of the best together for us. I have a friend who was just diagnosed last week, went in for her MRI and they found a second primary in her other breast. I have already alerted her to your wonderful site to give her the strength and hope that everyone here provides.
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Regarding the “Cancer as a blessing/gift” debate, I think Victor Frankl said it best:
Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. (Man’s Search For Meaning)
As you said Marie, your attitude is your choice. Remaining hopeful, optimistic and positive is the way for me. It is also the way that Scientific studies have proven is the best route to better health. Don’t take my word on it, read the work of Dr. Bernie Siegel.
Cancer Warrior
http://www.perksofcancer.com
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My husband quotes Frankl at me all the time 🙂 Thanks for the reminder x
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To echo “Chemobrainfog”…thank you, Marie for providing this forum for us BC bloggers to unite. It has become one of my greatest support networks.
Cancer Warrior
http://www.perksofcancer.com
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This makes me so very happy to hear – thank you for your continued support too x
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Another great round up everyone – I particularly appreciated the discussion on positive thinking – people can get quite strident on this issue – so it’s good to see a balance here.
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Oh dear I am really late in coming to this Marie! Because of my travels (oh, how ironic is that!) I have had limited online time. Thank you so much for your lovely words, I feel incredibly fortunate that I am able to see and do so much at the moment, for so many reasons.
And the best bit? Where I travel physically, I am always surrounded by the warm friendship of our community which you play such a large part in breathing life and warmth into.
Thank you so much
p xoxox
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