Weekly Round-Up: The Coronavirus Edition Part 2
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 Mother’s Day here in Ireland and it’s a strange kind of day with social distancing the watchword of our times. It was a similar eerie feeling last Tuesday when we had St Patrick’s Day – for the first time in living memory no parades and no celebrations. Pubs, restaurants, coffee shops and stores are closed.
How about you? How are you getting through these days? I’m used to working from home and spending time on my own, but I have to admit this imposed self-isolation is a challenge. We know from the research that social support is vital for our psychological health, so how will this state of semi self-quarantine affect our mental health? Liza has dusted off her blog to share thoughts on how to navigate this current situation. “It helps to remind ourselves, ” she writes, that “this is not my permanent reality.”
Nancy Stordahl reminds us that “cancer patients MUST take special precautions during this pandemic” and provides advice on her blog for how we can all protect ourselves – and others – during this crisis. See also Amy‘s curation of tips, Cathy‘s recommendations on healthy foods to beat stress, Carolyn‘s latest Covid-19 facts-based post, and Britt‘s advice on what to do if you suspect you might have the virus.
It’s hard not to draw comparisons between the current situation and the reality of everyday life for cancer patients, particularly those with Stage IV progression. Ilene, as always, writes powerfully on this topic:
Why we don’t call MBC a pandemic I don’t know but the risk of death is 100%.
Abigail reflects this week on learning to live, while actively dying. She writes:
And so, my version of living life while I’m dying is to focus on the present, not put off that which gives me joy, and to keep my cancer life away from my boys.
Lisa is in no doubt about what we all must do to protect ourselves and each other at this time. In an uncompromsing post, she writes:
We must maintain solidarity in spite of uncertain times and dithering leadership. We must trust the scientists and ignore misinformation. We must take time out to protect our mental health and seek safe ways to maintain our physical health. We must protect, support and applaud the health care workers.
See more Covid-themed posts from Liz, Nancy Seibel, Dee, Tom, Karin, Steve, Michele, Julia, Sara, Barbara, Terri, Kimberly and JoAnn.
Sara also features a guest post this week on the subject of dealing with the aftershock of cancer.
Finally this week, I’d like to leave you with these calming, comforting, centering words from Elizabeth:
In this moment, as I write this, I have all that I need. I have my breath. I have my mind. I have my family. I have friends. I have shelter. I have clean water and good food. I have the nearby woods in which to walk. Not all moments are like this but right now it is.
Yours with much love always,
Marie xxx
Thank you dear Marie for including my ‘facts and fears’ post in this week’s roundup. Thanks also for including Elizabeth’s wise and calming words at the end of your essay. We must all look up at the sky, listen to the birds, appreciate clean water and good food, and take in what we do have in life during these unprecedented times.
xoxo
Carolyn
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PS I forgot to mention, in response to your social isolation question, that this morning (here on the beautiful west coast of Canada) my pape-crafting friends and I are having our first ever virtual card-making workshop together via the miracle of video chat…. We each have a number of springtime birthdays coming up among our families and friends, so we’ll be creating springtime-theme birthday cards today. The only downside is that we will really miss our friend Irene’s fantastic home baking that she whips up whenever it’s her turn to host! xo
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What a lovely idea Carolyn 🙂
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I found such comfort in Elizabeth’s words – very grounding at this time of uncertainty in our lives
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Hi Marie,
As I mentioned in my Tweet, during times like these, your weekly round-up is even more appreciated. There’s great comfort (among other things) within this amazing community of bloggers, advocates and readers. Thank you for tending to our community week after and week and helping to strengthen our bonds and amplify our voices. x
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Nancy, thank you, my dear – your words mean the world to me xxx
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I relate to what you’re saying, Marie, about the eeriness of the sudden change the social isolation mandates have plunged us into. Cancelled celebrations, quiet streets, people looking fearful and haunted in grocery stores…. Of greatest concern to me is the destruction of our economy and the devastating loss of income so many, including my sons, niece and nephew have been hit with.
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It’s hit my business hard Nancy – I know you also understand this as a self-employed person too. Those of us who have nothing to fall back on are going to find the coming months and even years very tough indeed
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