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.
Debbie declared this week “courageous women with cancer week” on her blog. Read her posts and join the conversation. And from courageous women to “fearless friends”, Jody has written a beautiful post.
This week AnneMarie is talking metastatic cancer, “celeb” cancer and the #bcsm twitter chat.
Yvonne is writing of patents, genetics and gene testing and Katie has a terrific post on the often-contentious topic of mammography.
Philippa is off on her travels again and this week she has posted the most stunning pictures of Timor Leste (East Timor), the second youngest country in the world.
Nancy has written a “cut-out-and-keep” guide to getting through TSA when you are a cancer survivor. I will be bearing all she has written in mind next time I travel to the States.
Kathi is writing about the long-term problems associated with radiation.
Brenda has been writing about the healing power of music and ends with this lovely reminder to find our voice:
If you can’t remember the last time you sang at the top of your voice then it’s been too long, my friends.
In Can I Let You Help Me? Lois Hjelmstad writes of the inability of breast cancer patients (and others) to reach out or accept whatever support is offered. Why do we, as women, do this? she asks
That natural inclination to shoulder our own burdens plays into our reluctance to accept help. We also fall into “I’m not worthy” and “I haven’t suffered enough.” In my support group, I always felt a bit inferior because I did not have the kind of cancer that chemotherapy would have helped. These issues bedevil many of us.
A very instructive and thoughtful post by Jan this week, writing of what it is like to be a mom to three boys and be diagnosed with breast cancer.
No matter what minor complaints I may feel I have, reading A Fresh Chapter always puts things starkly in perspective for me and Terri, who also celebrated her birthday this week, is writing about the motherless children of Rwanda in a powerfully written post.
Everywhere I looked on the blogosphere this week, there was an outbreak of spring fever – and it was wonderful to see. Renn had a joyous spring poem by Karla Kuskin for us, and Being Sarah, beautiful magnolia blossom; Stacey puts her happy mood down to the “warmth of spring” and a wedding, while The Authentic Me is also captivated by the season’s beauty.
Joyful as this season of spring is for many, for others, it is a reminder of loss. And so it is for The Pink Underbelly , mourning the loss of her Mom, who writes:
Springtime is hard, really hard, and today heralds the beginning of the period of time that hurts my heart.
And as I continue to struggle with my grief over losing my own mother, and in anticipation of the sadness of her upcoming birthday in 3 days time, I turn to the words of Maura, who reminds me that grief is a process, which doesn’t work to any timetable.
Managing expectations is a large part of coping with grief. Grief does a lot better when it is not burdened with judgement. It is an ocean; the waves will settle when they are ready. There is no point in assigning the process any sort of timetable. Each loss is different for each person, and that process needs to be respected from within, and from those around us.
Thinking of Maura, of Nancy, of all those who are missing Rachel and those who are mourning loved ones… let us be kind and compassionate to those who are grieving and gentle with ourselves who are mourning.
Until next week.
Yours with love
Marie xxx
Thanks for another great round up, Marie. I would like to share another blog with you: Laura blogs about her cancer at http://www.thecancerassassin.blogspot.ca This week she shared some great news. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given 5 months to a year to live. Her latest scan shows no sign of cancer. She is fighting cancer with attitude!
Cancer Warrior
http://www.perksofcancer.com
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Wow! That’s amazing news -t hanks for sharing Flo.
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Oh Marie, thank you so much for this post especially the one on coping with grief. My father-in-law’s birthday is in two days and he’s only gone 6 months ago so my heart goes out to you as your own mam’s birthday approaches. Also as my dad’s just passed away thank you as your post just reminded me not to judge myself harshly as my plans for the week stare up at me from my desk as I ignore them and grieve. It’s given me a lot of ease to my upset brain at the minute. Chat soon. Marian
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Marian, you are very much in my thoughts x
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Thanks for sharing and exposing me to more wonderful bloggers!
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These Round-Ups are a wonderful idea, and most helpful. Thanks, Candida
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Marie:
Thanks for including my Courageous Women with Cancer Week posts. Every day and every week I am so inspired by the level of courage I see all around me. Your round-up of wondrous blog posts is a great example of that every week.
Survival > Existence,
Debbie
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I must say Debbie, I really enjoyed the themed posts – it’s a great way to blog 🙂
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Thank you so much for this wonderful compilation, Marie. I was babysitting tonight, and after the kids went to bed I switched on my iPad and devoured the lot! As a brand new ‘breast cancer blogger’, it has already become a little ambition of mine to have a post included on this list one day!!! Looking forward to next week’s selection already. Cheers, Liz
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Oh Liz, welcome again…and I am looking forward to including your blog next week 🙂
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Thanks again for another wonderful compilation, Marie. I’ll go fetch my pot of green tea and stay glued to my computer so I can revel fully in these wonderful postings. And thanks for including mine. You do a wonderful service to us all and we can’t thank you enough. XX
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Lovely comments like yours make it all worthwhile Jan x
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Thanks, Marie – what wonderful Round up combining reflection and consideration with a warming glimpse of spring xoxox
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Thanks Philippa for showing those of us in less exotic climes some amazing new places 😉
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Another great batch this week, Marie! (Thanks for including me!)
I particularly love Maura’s reflections on grief. Spot on.
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Thanks for the shout out Marie, and glad to be sharing the magnolia with so many people this year. Sarah
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Thanks for the inclusion, Marie. Typing one-handed quite a lot this week because of radiation’s long aftermath, including this comment! Had read already several of the posts you included here & have been thinking what a feast we have this week. Thanks for the rest! Going to get to them with tomorrow morning’s tea.
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Thank you so much for including me in your wonderful round up. I LOVE how you continue to build community among such an inspiring group of women. I look forward to trying to catch up on everyone’s posts when I have better access to Internet. But, in the meantime, know that I feel so honoured to be among the ranks of weekly contributors to the Round Up and that you will be in my thoughts and prayers as your Mom’s birthday approaches. Hugs from Gisenyi! Terri
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As you are always in ours Terri x
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This is such a wonderful format. It is through this type of post i iftwn discover new writers i like to follow. I hope to incorporate something similar soon. Thanks for the mention.
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So glad to hear that you enjoy it and find new blogs through it – that’s what I hoped to do from the start with the weekly round up
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Marie, the Round Up is always good, but this one is really good! I’m eager to dive into each post you’ve mentioned, and am especially excited to explore the new-to-me blogs. I’m so glad my musings resonated with you, my friend, and I’ll be thinking of you as your mom’s birthday looms near. The first milestones without her are hard, for sure, but I know you’ll get through them with your quiet strength and dignified determination, once again setting a stellar example for all of us. Much love and extra hugs to you.
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Honestly Nancy, I just think it gets better every week – and that’s not down to me..it’s the wonderful writing out there.
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Thanks for another good Round-Up Marie,
Am tempted to “steal” some of these topics for my site as they speak to so many of us. Terri’s post about the 300,000 orphans – the child who buried his face in his dead mother’s skirt – I don’t think that picture will leave me for a very long time, and probably will always lurk somewhere in the shadows of my brain.
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I sometimes have to brace myself to read Terri’s blog – it is not always comfortable reading – but it is necessary!
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I love all of the information and sharing on these blogs. I have also written about my year of treatment with Stage II BC, lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, oral meds, nutrition, singing, gratitude, recovery & healing.
Please feel free to check out my blog at caringbridge.com/shaynadanasg
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Hi Dana, wonderful to hear from you and we will be sure to check out your blog – thanks for sharing your story and the link. Continued healing and happiness to you as you journey beyond breast cancer.
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Great Job!
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