Weekly Round-Up
Welcome, dear readers. I’m so glad you’re here.
I recently came across an interview in The New Yorker with oncologist and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee, who reflected on the paradox of early detection. He cautioned that finding cancer earlier does not always mean saving more lives: some tumours are already too aggressive by the time they are found, while others are so indolent they may never cause harm—yet still lead to surgery, chemotherapy, and years of fear. And sometimes, tests bring false alarms, sending patients through painful, unnecessary procedures. I wrote about it here if you’d like to explore further.
In her latest post, Carolyn spotlights Caring Bridge, a free nonprofit site that helps families share health updates and coordinate support during illness. Drawing on her own experience supporting a friend, she shows how the platform removes guesswork and strengthens community care.
Although written earlier this year, Isabel’s thoughtful post on patient-oriented research is worth revisiting. She unpacks the debate between terms like Patient Partner and Person With Lived Experience, making the case that “patient partner” better signals equity and expertise, while euphemisms risk reinforcing stigma.
After a storm stirred memories of her old apartment, Beth reflects on how that space—and a nearby hobby shop—sparked her first oil painting lessons. More than 20 years later, she’s still creating, now refining Surrender, part of her Breast Cancer, Female and Young series.
Abigail shares a practical cheat sheet for navigating the complexities of the U.S. medical billing and insurance system.
Barbara uses the metaphor of a shattered vase transformed into a mosaic to portray the resilience of breast cancer survivors..
Nancy’s heartfelt remembrance of her golden retriever, Elsie, wrestles with the impossible question of knowing when it’s time to let a beloved pet go—capturing both the sacred trust we hold with animals and the depth of grief when they leave us.
Elizabeth explores the Truth Mandala as a ritual of gratitude, grief, and renewal. I was especially struck by her insight that disconnect in activist circles often stems from grieving in different ways, at different times.
And finally this week, a year after walking the Camino, Connie reflects on the doors and gates she photographed as symbols of safety and the unknown. From scallop shells carved in stone to blooming morning glories, each doorway became an invitation to consider life’s thresholds. She leaves us with a question worth carrying: what doors are calling us forward, and how will we choose to step through them?
Until next time,
May we continue to encourage—and lift—each other up in the days ahead.
Much love always
Marie xxx
