Weekly Round Up: Stomp Out Breast Cancer 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.
There was a movement this week among the online breast cancer community to raise awareness for metastatic breast cancer. Stomp Out Breast Cancer Monday, the brainchild of Beth Fairchild, was a collective effort to call attention to a side of the disease that rarely gets talked about. And the blogosphere joined in. Here’s what some of our favorite bloggers had to say:
This campaign is about spreading the truth about this disease, it’s not about perpetuating the myths, it’s most certainly not about saving the ta-tas or playing facebook games. We want people to know the gritty ugly truth and stop drinking the pink koolaid Carolyn
Everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives in fear knowing that they could find out that they are metastatic. 5 years is the big milestone, but many women find out they are metastatic 10+ years after their metastatic diagnosis. It is a shadow that follows you around. Every ache and cough has to be scanned – checked – you have to make sure. We did many of those types of scans. Many clean scans while cancer was hiding away in the cells of my body. Darn Good Lemonade
Be aware of this: the culture of breast cancer has created a schism among women with the disease. There are those who have mets and those who do not, and way too often, those in the latter camp live in fear not just of the disease but of those human beings who occupy the former camp. Women with early stage disease are actively encouraged to tout all they have DONE to FIGHT and BEAT a disease that has nothing if not randomness on its side. We are only supposed to be bald once, to go through treatment once. We are not supposed to bother the world with having cancer for the rest of our lives. The culture tells us this is TIRING. The culture encourages women with lazy or passive cancer to feel superior to women with brutal and aggressive cancer. But we are all living in bodies where something went wrong. Nobody wins. Katy
Having metastatic breast cancer in your 30’s is complicated. As with most young people my age, I am in the thick of my life. I have two small children and a budding career as an architect. Until cancer, I was healthy, active and ambitious. I had patiently begun to build my life. I had even started to discover things that inspire me to dream without limits. My life was just starting to take flight, when in an instant, cancer happened and my world crashed at my feet. Anna
I’ve grown close to a lot of women. I call them my friends, my sisters, my breasties. Many I have not met, some I have. I have listened and watched them suffer, I have heard of their woes, saw them cry, held their hands, texted feverishly, and watched die. I have watched many friends die. That’s what it’s like to live with terminal breast cancer. Kate
Some people think I should be thanking God it’s not me, but I can’t. I can’t do that because I don’t want ANYONE to be going thru this and one day, this WILL be me, and I can’t hide from it. StickIt2Stage 4
Today was emotional, but also inspiring in so many ways. I was proud of how this community rallied to get our voices heard. I hope I can continue to be a part of that rallying cry for many, many years to come. Jen
The Cancer Curmudgeon gave her support to the campaign by sharing Carolyn’s memes. Nancy, who has championed Mets Monday for two years shared tips on how to support our MBC sisters. Anne Marie has created a Pinterest board to keep the conversation going; Liza reminds us all that breast cancer is not a game; Gayle writes of the “unbearable weight of the pink ribbon”; hope in the face of MBC on the Metathriving blog; Jo Ann reflects on ties that bind her to our online community.
Elsewhere in the blogosphere…
Yvonne marks International Women’s Day with a tribute to the Irish writer Edna O’Brien.
Beth writes of (not) winning the cancer battle on her blog this week.
I didn’t win a battle, and I am no hero. I’m no warrior. I went through diagnosis and treatment like so many others — completely terrified. I fought as hard as those who didn’t live.
It sometimes happens that when we embark on a path to a healthier lifestyle, our paths diverge from some of those close to us. This reality is beautifully explored by Elizabeth in her blog this week.
Exotic locations and beautiful images to feast on in Philippa’s blog.
In the vibrant UK blogosphere, Rebecca writes of wigs, Jo discusses dating with cancer, and Sarah shares her thoughts on hot flushes.
A telling observation by Knot on how cancer is portrayed in TV shows.
Renee writes of making peace with her cancer.
A moving post by Tami on maintaining hope in the face of adversity. “Without hope, there would be no reason to fight. I would have given up a long time ago when doctors told me I would most certainly die”.
Jamie writes of her experience of peripheral neuropathy after breast cancer treatment.
Chelsey writes movingly of living with worry and anxiety after cancer.
Helen marks lymphedema awareness day.
Caroline writes about altered body image; and as a companion piece read this post by Double Whammy.
It’s week two of Becky’s Should I Blog? project; this week’s theme is where do you draw the line in sharing online.
Debra writes of our right to make our own choices about treatment.
My lovely friend Yvonne Newbold is back blogging again. She’s had a tough time of things lately, but her resilient spirit still shines through.
Very interesting post from Audrey on the paradox of healthcare.
Barbara suggests ways to incorporate exercise into our daily lives.
I was so close to attending the YSC Summit this year, but I had to cancel my place at the last minute. I’m keeping up to date via Twitter, Facebook and blog updates. Here’s a post by Emily who is there in person.
Chris Lewis writes about taking time out.
Elissa reflects year on from her diagnosis.
Finally this week, the death of Lisa Adams, “a beacon of honesty” as Renn described her, has left many of us heart sore. Ann wrote of her devastation on hearing the news and Britt blogged about what Lisa meant to the online community and how much we will miss her fearless, passionate voice.
Until next week,
“Find a bit of beauty in the world today. Share it. If you can’t find it, create it. Some days this may be hard to do. Persevere.” ~ Lisa Bonchek Adams
Yours with love
Marie xxx
Thank you for the inclusion. I am so sad about Lisa Adams.
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Thank you, Marie, for putting together another roundup. Your weekly roundup is such a wonderful way to embrace, encourage, support and bind together even further this special community we are part of. Knowing we aren’t alone, especially in sad times, helps so much. Thank you so much.
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Nancy, how kind of you to say this. Each week when I think to myself, have I got enough time to put this all together, it’s encouragement like yours that pushes me to find the time. Thank you x
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Thank you so much for including my Cancertainment post. “A telling post from Knot” – teehee!
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Hi Marie, your round-up is an absolute joy that’s become a highlight of my week every Sunday. I settle down and read as many as I can from your selection. Thank you for including mine this week too. I had a tough day yesterday as I think a lot of us did, taking on board the tragic death of Lisa Adams, one of our community. Beautiful tributes to her in these blogs. Thank you for showcasing so many thought-provoking, inspiring and insightful posts. Yvonne xxxx
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Yvonne, so wonderful to have you blogging again in Coke Floats. I know you’ve had a hard time lately and you are in my thoughts. Sending much love your way xxxx
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Thank you once again for pulling all of this together, especially since the last week has been so sadly eventful. In addition to posting images on my blog, I wrote a piece about the ignorance the general population has about metastatic breast cancer and recurrence, and my fear of those things–inspired by Monday’s event and Becklund’s LA Times article and the video linked in that piece: https://anotheronewiththecancer.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/the-next-time-round/
Thanks again!
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Thanks for sharing this – we have such a vocal and vibrant community here.
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Thank you so much for gathering these, and for including my post and images. I’ll be making a pot of tea and reading them all this evening. I had a difficult time seeing all the many thoughtful posts Monday and the rest of the week. Your blog is a wonderful resource, Marie. xo
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Thank you for the roundup. I love roundups. Too much information available and only so many hours in a day.
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Marie, your round up’s are always excellent. This one is particularly focused and poignant.
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Round-ups.
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Thank you for including me! I always enjoy your round up. 🙂
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What a list! I am impressed with the growth of the number of cancer-related blogs you feature as the weeks, months and years go by. xx
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