Weekly Round Up: Remembering Karen Sutherland

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.

“It’s been said that one of the hardest parts of growing old is watching your friends die. The same could be said for cancer patients because we lose so many. ” – Eileen Rosenbloom

It is with deep sadness that I come to write about the death of our very dear, dear friend, Karen Sutherland.  Karen was a shining light in our community. Though not a blogger, I always called her our honorary blogger – a vital spoke in our community wheel. I don’t think there is a blogger among us who hasn’t been touched by Karen’s gentle, kind and compassionate words. As Yvonne so beautifully puts it:

Karen was witty and wise and much loved by her ‘sisters’ in the online breast cancer community. She always offered a soft place to fall and an encouraging word even as she dealt with the ravages of cancer and loss in her own life.

Karen we will miss you terribly. I join with Eileen as she says “we hold you up in the shiniest bright light where all the love you put forth in this life will surely envelop you in the next”.

Elsewhere in the blogosphere….

Today is Father’s Day and while Terri shares a tribute to her father and his support during her surgery, Nancy writes about the first Father’s Day without her own beloved father, and  Grace pays loving tribute to her father who had to be both father and mother to her growing up, after her Mom died.

In five simple words –  “I want to be heard” –  Lisa Thompson sums up so well why many of us continue to blog about difficult topics, such as death and dying.

A thought-provoking post by Becky this week – on people’s ignorant misconceptions of illness and disabilities.

For young women with a history of breast cancer, there’s at least one thing about which they might stop worrying. In general, pregnancy does not increase the risk of cancer recurrence. That’s the main finding of the largest trial to date on this subject. Read more from Elaine.

Helpful advice from Catherine F. on holidaying after cancer treatment.

A delightful surprise to find a new blog post from Jan this week.

Elizabeth finds herself with time and space to reflect on the past five years of ill health.

I loved watching Renee’s vlog on finding and fanning your inner spark.

Rebecca raises a pertinent point on her blog about the messages well-respected organizations are sending out to patients.

Stephanie shares some more helpful tips on healing through writing and art.

Catherine is adjusting to her new palliative care routine.

Finally this week, have you been impacted by cancer and want a meaningful way to expand your story? A Fresh Chapter offers patients, survivors, and caregivers an opportunity to heal the emotional scars of cancer through perspective-shifting travel experiences in the U.S. and around the world. Since 2013, we have continued to grow and we’re excited to now offer programs in four international locations – South Africa, Peru, India, and Costa Rica. This is the first time you can apply once and be considered for any of their four upcoming programs. Find out how to apply.

Until next week,

Yours with love

Marie xxx