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.
Today is National Survivors Day, but it’s a day I don’t “celebrate”. As Nancy writes
Such a celebratory day feels blatantly dismissive. Those who live daily with the knowledge they will likely not survive cancer are left standing on the outside looking in. Again. Unacceptable! I will not erase those who did not and will not survive.
On a similar theme, do read Rebecca‘s powerful post on divisions in the MBC community.
You will likely have heard the news of Olivia Newton John’s cancer recurrence 25 years after her treatment for breast cancer. It serves as a reminder that we are never done with cancer – it always lurks in the background as Maureen writes this week. Dee writes also this week of how news of a recurrence can trigger anxiety and fear and how to deal with it. See also Caroline‘s post on the recurrence topic.
A super post by Stephanie on resilience and empowerment in the face of uncertainty. She writes:
When we base our security upon a belief that we are powerful when we are in control, we are left feeling highly vulnerable in this life. This is a common concern for those of us who have faced life threatening circumstances, because it is a natural response to want to have control when we face traumatic/life threatening situations.
Elizabeth is processing her recent heart attack.
Catherine updates us on her latest oncology appointment and celebrates her 8th wedding anniversary.
Grace writes of her distaste for pinkwashing.
Debra shares thoughts from Laura‘s husband about her MBC diagnosis.
Jo Ann writes of losing her moorings in her latest blog.
A warm welcome back to the blogosphere to Elissa.
While we hear much about the dislike of war metaphors in describing cancer, Liza shares thoughts on how these metaphors helped her.
Terri writes this week of the importance of shared decision making in breast reconstruction.
Finally this week, I leave you with important reminder from Isabel of the power of kindness in healthcare. As a follow-on to this, read Carolyn‘s latest post on patient dignity.
Until next week,
Be kind to each other.
Yours with love
Marie xxx
Thank you for another great RoundUp and for including my latest post, Marie. xoxo
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Thanks Marie for including my ‘dignity question’ post today! I would have missed Isabel’s must-read ‘kindness’ essay if I hadn’t started on your compelling list. Once again, I’m moved by – no matter the diagnosis – how applicable so many of the posts you feature are to a much broader audience far beyond breast cancer (just as you promise!)
kindest regards,
C.
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Well that makes me so happy to hear Carolyn 🙂
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Thank you Marie for this wonderful round up!
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Hi Marie thank you for this weeks Round up. I especially liked Maureen, Dee and Caroline’s posts on recurrence. This resonates with me as I had a local recurrence in 2013, nearly fourteen years after initial diagnosis. I too experienced similar feelings surrounding the fear of recurrence in the past but now that it has happened, strangely I am more accepting of the fact that cancer is part of my life now. Not in a negative way but it is part of the fabric of who I am.
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Thank you, Marie, for including me this week! While my regular reading of JBBC’s Weekly Round Up has waned as of late, it is still one of my moorings as I navigate my identity in BC Land. Being included in a Round Up always makes me smile. 🙂
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Aw how lovely to read your words today 🙂
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