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.

Covid-themed posts still understandably dominate the blogosphere. Philippa reflects on the quasi-biblical feel of forty days in isolation.

Forty days and forty nights, this is not a long time but nor is it insignificant. I cannot think of another time of life when I have been totally isolated for more than a few days or a couple of weeks. And quite why this emotional heaviness has come at this time, is a mystery. All I do know, is that this is real and I find myself struggling. But I also have a conviction that this too shall pass, and for now it is ok not to be ok.

Amy has a list of covid-19 financial resources for US-based cancer patients.

Both Dee and Becky share what life is like in lockdown for them on a daily basis.

Lovely guest post on Chris‘s blog from Naomi on seeing the positives at this time of isolation.

Sheri has lessons from a hospital bed during the pandemic.

Lisa Thompson is going through an extremely tough time at the moment. Please take some time this weekend to reach out to her on her blog if you can.

The second part of Abigail‘s post on medical treatment during a pandemic is now on her blog.

Shine blog editor Caroline shares the stories of Shine community members who are currently ‘shielding’ against Covid-19.

Such an interesting post by Carolyn, which I know will resonate with so many of you,  as she speaks about the loss of self after a diagnosis of a serious illness.

The Male Breast Cancer Blog has advice for cancer patients at this time and Oliver Bogler shares a  finding that men are now eligible for  40% of cancer trials.

The latest in Ticking Off Breast Cancer‘s guest blog series, features Miranda talking about the impact of lockdown upon the life of a stage 4 cancer patient, although the sentiment applies equally to anyone in a “vulnerable” position.

Nancy Seibel suggests 7 Ways to Grow, Even During a Pandemic.

I am nodding along with Julia‘s advice, as it’s something I find myself doing a lot these days myself: “If you are struggling to lift your gaze at the moment, ” she writes, “perhaps have a look at your camera roll and remember some of the good times you’ve had or start taking some photos to look back at in the future.

To mark World Book Day, Nancy Stordahl is hosting a book giveaway – details on her blog.

A sobering look at the links between alcohol and breast cancer recurrence on Cathy‘s blog.

Two posts from Terri this week -Nerve Graft: Restoring Sensation to the Breast and Learning Together During the Coronavirus.

Beautiful letter to self from Ilene, touching on self-forgiveness, compassion and love.

Finally this week, I want to leave you with some wisdom from Lauren. I found this hugely reassuring and comforting and I feel sure you will too.

I promise you, you will once again have a day where COVID doesn’t greet you each morning or shake you awake from dreamy innocence. A brain free from COVID thoughts will greet you for a few seconds each morning, and then will linger a few moments longer, and eventually, it will start to stay around all day. And you will find that COVID, like cancer for me, will become something that happened long ago.

And you will have lived your way into normal.

Until next week,

Stay safe,

Yours with much love always,

Marie xxx