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. 

Another week, another controversy. This time, and much to my extreme disappointment, as I have always been a vocal supporter of them in the past, it’s the turn of the Young Survival Coalition (alongside Stupid Cancer and F*k Cancer) who have crassly offended so many of us. You can catch a flavor of the discussion on Jill‘s blog, and read Beth’s utterly incisive open letter to YSC here.

Jan’s post about fading looks, care-worn lines, and life’s scars, will resonate with many; but equally we will want to remind Jan of her luminous beauty which shines through everything she does. And as a reminder, here is one of my favorite friendship pictures ever.

Once more I found comfort and wisdom in Elizabeth’s words on choices and learning to accept those things we can’t control in life.  Acceptance was also the theme in Ann’s latest blog which resonated with me too.

This week I’ve been loving the 15 random facts challenge taken up by Beth, Rebecca, Laura, Jackie, Elissa, the Pink Underbelly, and Nancy. I joined in too.  I love learning new things about some of my favorite people online. As Nancy says:

Once in a while it’s lovely to write about things other than cancer. I’m hoping more of our blogging friends jump in too. It’s fun to learn more about each other.

I am excited when I read about Audrey‘s burgeoning political career. This week she has been working at the seat of the government in the UK in Westminster.

Excited too for Stacey taking part in the President’s Cancer Panel workshop: “The Connected Cancer Patient: Vision for the Future and Recommendations for Action.”  You can view a Storify of a tweet chat on the connected patient here. Also do read Andrea‘s latest post on citizen science.

Kaz writes of life BC (before cancer) and AC (after cancer) and what that has been like for her.

Victoria makes a trip back to Paris for her six-month check-up.

Wonderful to see Susan’s newly revamped website and her call for volunteers to assist in her non-profit Advocates For Breast Cancer. Check it out and see how you can contribute.

After the death of his wife, Rosie‘s husband is continuing her blog in heartbreakingly beautiful prose.

Lots happening in Chelsey‘s world right now.

A Little Earthquake deals with the mixed feelings that surround a cancerversary.

Jenny shares what she has learned through the experience of radiation.

Great to see Nancy Stordahl profiled on the #BCSM blog.

Carrie stumbles on a cancer survivors park in Minneapolis.

I found Kate’s story of riding a roller-coaster poignant and moving.

Justine shares her thoughts on why that three letter word “why” is so unproductive.

Tric is taking her writing career to the next level.

Dawn is happy to be celebrating every day alive this summer.

So lovely to see Philippa blogging again and sharing exotic photos of life in Myanmar, alongside thoughts on life’s fragility.

I was incredibly moved by Jen’s latest post prompted by the official loss of her job this week. It was heartbreaking in so many ways. And a different kind of heartbreak reading Knot‘s visceral account of her pain.

In an age when we Google everything, including our own health symptoms, Caroline shares the latest research which shows that online symptom checkers are not to be trusted.

Britt devises a tongue-in-cheek guide to measuring chemo-induced nausea which she calls the pizza scale.

Congratulations to Rachel on graduating nursing.

Do cancer cards have expiration dates? Eileen ponders the question in her latest post.

Good information about lumpectomies and reconstruction from Jean.

Susanne is settling into her new home.

In Survivorship Is Not A Phase, Gary writes a loving tribute to his wife Maureen and what cancer survivorship means.

Amidst all the confusion on over-diagnosis and mammography screening, I am grateful to Elaine for putting the debate into context.

Sarah’s poem on missing her Mum made me miss mine all over again too.

Tami pays tribute to her friend and inspiration Krysti Hughett, who passed away after ten years living with metastatic breast cancer.

Finally this week, I leave you with a Maya Angelou quote courtesy of Yvonne.

Until next week,

Yours with love

Marie xxx