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. 

I’ve mentioned here before that Carolyn Thomas has turned her award-winning blog, Heart Sisters, into her first book ” A Woman’s Guide To Living With Heart Disease”. As you know I feature Carolyn regularly on the weekly round-up for her insights into being a patient, dealing with a patriarchial health system, and living with the physical and psycho-social fallout of a chronic disease. Recently I had an opportunity to interview her and I learned so much from her insights on patient advocacy, standing up for yourself, and writing a book from your blog. I think you’ll enjoy learning from her too.  Check out the interview here.

My heart goes out to Beth as she faces the death of her father. So many of us know the heart-wrenching pain of losing a beloved parent. We can never be prepared for the loss, even if we have time – there is never enough time to let go.

Families can create ambivalent feelings in us, and for some of us, family gatherings can be occasions fraught with stress. Karin shares wise, kind and practical tips on how to survive difficult family gatherings.

A delightful post by Nancy on her love of old dogs.

I sure can identify with Chris as he finds himself racing against time, but I like his reminder to stop and be grateful for what we have in the midst of our business.

Audrey writes about a very topical issue at the moment –  standing up to the abuse of power.

I still haven’t read When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi,  but reading Becky‘s review makes me determined to put it on my reading list over the holidays.

As Philippa adjusts to life back in her homeland of Scotland, she shares a beautiful reflection on winter-time.

It’s been a month since Catherine’s mother died, and in Ireland we have a tradition called the “Month’s Mind” which Catherine writes about in her latest post.

Terri reflects on the three years that have passed since her breast reconstruction surgery.

Lisa captures the highs and heart-stopping lows that are part of our ongoing journey with cancer.

As another anniversary of her DIEP flap breast reconstruction comes around, Terri looks back on the choice she made.

Sue’s recent experience of medical care is a sad but all too often sadly true account of missed opportunities for humanity and kindness. I’ll be sharing this widely.

Maureen has some good news to share.

While Katie writes movingly of spending precious moments with her daughter,  Connie remembers back to her family’s reaction to her chemo-baldness, and how humor helped them through that time.

I need very little convincing of the healing power of poetry, so it was a joy to read Stephanie’s latest blog on the topic.

Finally this week, Grace writes this week of how she is ready to take her first leap of faith outdoors into the wilderness of my vulnerability.

Until next week,

Yours with love always,

Marie xxx