Weekly Round Up: The Other Lives 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.  

I love reading about, what I once termed our “other lives” – you know, the ones not dominated by cancer. While cancer has brought us together in the blogosphere, there is a whole other life that goes on outside of this – Philippa articulates this so well in her latest blog. I always enjoy catching  glimpses of our other lives, just like Yvonne‘s recounting of a spring break visit from a friend this past week, Tracy sharing pictures of her art and her delightful garden and Jennifer‘s pictures of her gorgeous little boy.

One of my favorite things is getting the chance to meet online friends in real life. I’ve had quite a few opportunities to do this over the years and it’s been (with the rare few exceptions) an enriching experience. One of those encounters led to a business partnership, others to increased business opportunities – but best of all, they’ve deepened friendships that mean the world to me. So it always makes me happy to see others enjoy the same real-world encounters with virtual friends, just like the Cancer Curmudgeon writes about.

Teresa shares a lovely quote on healing, while Eileen shares a re-post of an earlier piece she wrote on being a fully-paid card-carrying member of the cancer club.

Who decides what constitutes a quality of life? A powerful piece by Ismena on those who write off metastatic cancer patients.

For those of us who deal with the pain of infertility, one of the hardest things to face is the loneliness of the journey. I was so moved reading Justine‘s latest post about her friend who wanted Justine to be there for the birth of her child. Such a loving and generous act.

A helpful piece on the Medivizor blog on neuropathy.

I know I write often here of the loss of my Mum, and yet for some it is the loss of a father that hurts the most. Here’s a beautiful memory-filled post by Tric on her Dad.

A warm welcome back to the blogosphere to Lori – you’ve been missed!

Check out this recipe for yummy gingerbread hazelnut muffins Lisa‘s been cooking up.

There is so much to worry and stress about it when it comes to cancer and one of the most frustrating things I hear about that really makes me angry and sad is when I read of those who struggle with insurance issues. Catherine writes on this topic and explains why she supports the petition for #FairCancerCare.

If you are a regular reader of Nancy’s Point blog you may remember she wrote about a cancer billboard which she found offensive – well, Nancy has an update on that story this week.

I loved Jackie‘s lesson this week to come out behind the camera and be part of life.

Helen shares the latest research from Australia which may help those with lymphoedema.

I always come away from reading Elizabeth‘s blog with something to think about. In many ways I feel I get a free counselling session from a wonderful psychologist. This week is no exception as Elizabeth ponders the question of what it means to be good.

Finally, this week I want to leave you with some wise words from Tami, who is pondering the paradox of cancer

So there’s the paradox — remaining hopeful and grateful despite the tragedy around me. There’s some survival guilt that I can be living so happily and hopefully when others much younger than me have not been given this gift. I never really understood survivors guilt as others have described it. It’s not that I feel guilty for being alive, but should I feel guilty for being hopeful and grateful? As I told another fellow survivor, the best we can do is to live each day to the fullest, carry on their legacies, and be the beacon of light for others who are still with us. 

Until next week.

Yours with love and light

Marie xxx