Weekly Round Up

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.

We all know we will die someday – though many of us don’t want to face up to that fact – but what’s it like to know that “someday” may be closer than we thought? This is the question Jenn ponders in Are We Terminal? a collection of thoughts on her blog from women with metastatic breast cancer. Tami chooses to focus on hope through the darkness and Catherine in her latest concludes with this life-affirming quote, which we all would do well to heed:

I love living, and I plan on basking in life. Yes,I have fears. I worry over death. I worry over hurting others, particularly my husband. I am scared of what might come. But in the “now” I do my very best – you know? I just do my very best. I love my very best. There will never be enough time, but right “now” feels quite enough.

And if it’s more life-affirming-grab-life-live-life words you are after, then you must read Charlotte Kitley’s last blog.

I referred above to women with metastatic breast cancer, but of course, this doesn’t exclude men. Knot Telling and Le Amazzoni Furiose both share the story of Bill Becker, a male with metastatic breast cancer, and the heartbreaking news that his journey is coming to an end.

Nancy’s Point is celebrating 4 years in the blogosphere. I vividly remember when Nancy first started blogging and I am so thrilled to see how her blog has grown to become such an integral and respected voice in our community.

Some of you will be aware of the latest campaign which upset many of us with its crassness (see Speechless for background). It was a small victory to have it stopped before it even started – read Ann’s post on how this came about and check out this great post on the Double Whammied blog – it gets the point across in a wickedly funny way.

Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer in the nineties, and in her latest post, she reflects back on just how far we’ve come in the past twenty years when it comes to diagnosing, treating and surviving the disease.  As a companion piece read Caroline on The Pessimistic Side Of Curing Cancer, and Lulu Change on her wish list for the NIH

In the blogosphere, we are bracing ourselves for “Pinktober”, that time of year when so much that we see, hear and even taste, is awash in pink merchandising. Diane  and Katherine dish up the unvarnished facts about breast cancer; Lara calls out the cutesy euphemisms used in “awareness raising” campaigns,  while  Jamie has decided to “work with the pink” this year – check out her infographic on her blog on giving a purpose to PINK.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere…

A cry from the heart by the cancer curmudgeon to quit blaming the cancer patient for getting cancer.

It’s hard coping with chemotherapy, but this summer has been particularly difficult for Jo.

Dr Elaine Schattner reviews the movie of the book, Decoding Annie Parker.

Great post on invisible illness and lymphedema from Helen.

Loving Eileen’s “Affirm Life” post complete with writing prompt.

What’s it like when your Mom has cancer? Ann Marie’s son shares his story.

Stacey is talking nipples on her Coffee Mommy blog – oh and did I mention to you that I met Stacey when I was in California? She’s amazing!

And another amazing person to meet in real life – Dr Ann Becker Schutte, who reports back from her Medicine X experience this week.

Teri shares the story of Deirdre’s dream of India in A Fresh Chapter.

A delicious gluten-free cookie recipe from Lisa which she guarantees will make your house smell divine as they’re baking.

The Medivizor team want to hear our thoughts on BRCA Genetic Screening.

Loving, healing thoughts go out to Yvonne this week who is experiencing a health scare.

Beautiful reminders by Cara, Debbie and Elizabeth on the importance of kindness.

And a reminder from Tom to really live our lives, despite what we think might hold us back.

As always Philippa evokes the exotic far east in her latest blog, complete with stunning images of the rainy season.

Jackie has finished her active treatment and is looking towards the future, mindful that it will take time to heal.

A stunning poem by Sarah about living on the edge – I just know so many of you will relate to this.

Finally this week, the sad news of the death of Ismena Clout, a regular Weekly Round Up blogger, has left many of us heartbroken. Please remember her and her family in your prayers and good wishes.

Until next week.

Yours with love

Marie xxx