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.

One of my sidelines – I have several 😉 – is a project called the Global Village of Storytelling. Each month I feature a global storyteller and this month I’m delighted to shine a spotlight on Philippa, aka the feisty blue gecko.  You can read her story here. (If you would like to share a story on the site, just leave a comment below and I’ll follow up with you.)

June 2nd marked Cancer Survivor Day – a day I know that’s laden with mixed emotions for many of us. Both Emily and Jen share thoughts on what “survivorship”  means to each of them.

The wonderful Jo has written a post for the BMJ on why it’s time to call time on the chemo bell. Chris also takes this up in his latest post.

Why are men more likely to discover their breast cancer later than women? Male breast cancer survivor, Kevin Barnes examines the reasons why.

Abigail explores the meaning of the word “redemption” in her latest post.

A super comprehensive resource post from Terri on healing from breast reconstructive surgery.

Dee has just returned from 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting and shares her takeaways from the opening session focusing on patients.  And Dr Attai brings encouraging news for patients with metastatic estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), Her2/neu negative breast cancer presented at ASCO.

Many of us here attend medical conferences, such as ASCO –  and that’s hugely important – but at what cost? Liza captures #bcsm thoughts on this in a post on the Symplur blog.

Carolyn celebrates ten years of blogging. Her blog Heart Sisters is one I include here regularly – even though my focus is primarily on breast cancer, Carolyn’s insights on being a patient are universally applicable and always worth reading and sharing.

Really appreciated the points made in this post on The Mighty by Jennifer Steidl – a response to critics who say patients sharing their pain on social media is attention-seeking.

 When you see this chronically ill person prolifically posting, “wanting attention,” talking about what they are going through very publicly, and (sometimes) going into TMI territory… know that this did not happen overnight. This is the same person you know and love and they are beyond desperate to be the person they once were.

Nancy has a list of 15 shitty things cancer has taught her.

Karin answers a reader’s question on equal pay in her latest Dear Karin feature.

Sarah is celebrating the end of chemo and Janet her first cancerversary.

Becky breaks through writer’s block with a list of things that make her smile.

Wendi is back with a post on scanxiety.

As always, Cathy is super-persuasive on recommending the benefits of exercise in her latest post on staying healthy.

Barbara‘s  “In the News” cancer information feature is now six years old.

Final reminder from Siobhan for those women living in Ireland who are interested to learn more about the link between breast density and breast cancer to attend her event in Dublin.

Julia continues her travels back in time to her student days. In the latest installment, she has traveled to Poitiers, France.

Connie is spilling light in her latest dispatches from her solo journey.

Finally this week, I leave you with a quote from Lisa Valentine to see us through another week together.

“We need to get out of our own way and let the beauty that is us 
intersect with the beauty that is the entire world.” (Jon Kabat-Zinn) 

Until next week,

May beauty always find you.

Yours with much love always,

Marie xxx