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’m starting off this week’s round-up with an utterly captivating story from Philippa who transports us to the magical souks of Marrakech in her latest post.

Closer to home, but no less delightful is Julia‘s account of her birthday travel.

And yet more transportation and beautiful surroundings – this time to Antigua – in JoAnn‘s latest post and Mexico where Terri Wingham is enjoying a much-needed vacation.

An “inspiring” (but not in the way you might think post) from Carolyn this week. I urge you to read it if you’ve ever been criticized for what you write about on your blog.

A story about her father and driving leads Karin to reflect on preparing for change.

Thoughts on being ok with not being ok from Renee this week.

Audrey shares her worries about passing on the BRCA gene to her children.

A powerful post from Sue on disengaging from patient engagement  (see also Renza‘s thoughts on this topic).

I don’t want to deter you if you believe that patient engagement will change the health care world.  This has not been my experience but maybe it is yours.  But I must plead with you: Please don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of.  Don’t let them ‘use’ your story.  Be particular when accepting opportunities.  Think, as I rarely did:  Why am I doing this?  What is the organization’s intention?  What is my own intention?

Nancy shares a guest post by her friend Carol Miele who writes about how it feels to her living with metastatic breast cancer and what helps her cope.

I  really enjoyed the experience of hearing Connie‘s voice on her blog – for real this week!

Another guest post this time on Terri‘s blog where Ruth writes about what it means waiting for a DIEP flap surgery date.

Liz shares her story  of personalized medicine in her latest post.

Juliet is celebrating her third cancerversaray, and Karen looks back at the last eight years since she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Juliet also guest blogs at Ticking  Off Cancer this week.

Part 3 of Cathy’s not–to-be-missed series on physical activity, body weight and breast cancer is live on her blog.

A thought-provoking question from Barabara this week – “Who is REALLY Determining Your Cancer Treatment Options?”

Finally this week, I leave you with this picture of meeting up with Susan Zager, founder of Advocates for Breast Cancer, and her Mom who are visiting Dublin this weekend. Susan is one of the kindest, loveliest, most genuine people you could ever hope to meet and her Mom, well she’s a real live-wire 😉  It was such fun spending time with them in their favorite Irish pub — O’Neills in Dublin.

Until next week,

Yours with much love always

Marie xxx