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.

News in cancerland can change so quickly. We can anticipate death for years, but when it happens, it is sudden. We can make the choice not to check in and then checking in is no longer an option.

So begins Jen’s poignant post on why it’s important to keep checking in with friends.

This is the last weekend in September, which means Pinktober is right around the corner. On her blog, Abigail lays out the reasons why she won’t be participating in cause awareness this month.

I can’t pretend that breast cancer is a brand, a slogan, a way to make money. I can’t pretend that the pink ribbons and rah-rah speeches and tutus and bras actually means anything. I can’t pretend that my friends aren’t dying.

Some posts on the other side of the camp when it comes to awareness days is information on breast reconstruction awareness day from Terri and a call from Barbara to remember the caregivers and family members also affected by a diagnosis of cancer. And Carolyn looks to breast cancer awareness month for lessons to take when it comes to raising awareness of heart disease among women.

Nancy writes forcefully in her latest post on the need to say aloud the words  “metastatic breast cancer.”

When someone dies from metastatic breast cancer, it’s time to use the words. It’s time to say the person died from metastatic breast cancer.

In the same vein read the hard-hitting post from Judit on a head-in-the-sand attitude to the reality of MBC.

We can’t stop talking about this. This is about people’s lives and we need to recognize that this is happening. Stop sugar coating a deadly disease and stand up for what is right!

Thoughts on taking a metastatic cancer “vacation” from Ilene.

Maureen writes of the futility of worrying about a cancer recurrence if it interferes with your ability to live your life after primary cancer.

A post from Catherine on living with chronic pain.

The reporting that Sarah Thomas, who had previously been treated for breast cancer, swam the English Channel – 4 times led to mixed responses in the cancer community.  In Karin’s latest post, she explores why such reporting can lead to shaming and wrong expectations. See also Audrey‘s post on breast cancer and body shaming and Claudia on initially feeling shame at her own diagnosis of breast cancer.

Juliet also writes of the pressure to achieve something remarkable after cancer in her latest post:

One assumption is that all of us who have had or still have cancer should be able to achieve the same. That’s obviously nonsense but I think that it does put pressure on those of us who are struggling mentally – I include myself here.

The Shine Cancer Support blog features a post on expectations we can have about friends and family when we go through cancer treatment, and what we can do when the reality isn’t quite what we’d hoped.

Another health set back for Janet this week.

In her latest post, Philippa captures the moment of blissful unawareness before a cancer diagnosis changes our lives forever.

Sarah reflects on a defining moment in her cancer journey and the realization that the experience has made her stronger.

A super post from Sandra on delayed and missed diagnoses.

Great question from Connie this week that resonates with me:  “What areas of self-consciousness do you need to let go of in order to live a more fulfilling life?”

Super tips from Cathy on staying healthy while traveling.

Lovely post from Naomi on learning to slow down.

In the latest installment of her memoir, while trying to figure out a career path to take, Julia stumbles across a possible career.

Finally this week, I want to leave you with a quote from Sue’s superb post on getting back to basics on patient-centered care

Until next week,

Yours with much love always,

Marie xxx