polynomial clogging: Weekly Round-Up ? Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Weekly Round-Up ? Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer

Time for this week?s round-up of?the best of the blogs 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. Remember, if you have written or read a post recently which you would like me to share with readers, then please leave a comment below.

So many of us were saddened this week to learn of the death of Nora Ephron, and it seems that many of us share a love for her warm, intelligent and witty writing on life?s travails. ?Anne Marie shares the writer?s ?essay A Few Words About Breasts?from her Esquire column, alongside some more personal?reminiscence?of Ephron, and Yvonne also waxes nostalgically ?in Time To Consider The Lilies.

In my own post on Ephron?s passing, I quoted Ariel Levy?s description of ?her writing as a place ? where humor always trumped loss? and these words came back to me as I read Liz?s latest post Singin? The Black Book Blues. ?You will see why, when you read it.

Nancy?s Point??is asking an important question this week ? Are the Long-Term Risks of Chemotherapy & Other Cancer Treatments Under-discussed? Of course it?s not just the physical side effects we grapple with, we also have to deal with the emotional fall out?after the rigors of cancer treatment are over. This is a theme touched on by both?Lani?and?Kathi,?who?have written about regaining equilibrium and how fragile our composure can be sometimes. ?It?s as?Darryle Pollack,?writing in the Huffington Post says?Surviving Cancer: It?s Complicated.

Cancer invades not only your body but every other area of your life. After treatment, although you may?survive, you may be left with damage. The heart and other organs. The immune system. Emotions. Finances. Intimacy. Stress. Fatigue. There?s almost no place the tentacles of cancer don?t reach.

And another quote from Lori ?this week which really resonated with me:

The road into and through breast cancer continuously twists and turns upon itself. As soon as one piece is solved ? an understanding reached, a fear laid to rest ? another emerges. The jumble of emotions come unbidden: fear, anger, hope, frustration, peace, confusion, empowerment, and then it all begins again, some times in the space of a week, sometimes in the space of an hour. Sometimes we know what to do with it, often we don?t.

Depression is another of cancer?s sequelae, and I?have written many times here about the depression experienced by cancer patients during and after treatment. Since starting to read Candida Abrahamson?s blog, I have learned so much more about the incidence of depression and the kind of treatment that is out there. ?In her latest post, Random Facts About Depression, I have learned even more, including the fact that rolling around in the dirt may have a mood enhancing effect!

Last week Audrey wrote of her anticipation at returning to work ? check out her latest post to see how that went for her.

Debbie has reviewed Tory Zellick?s new Guide to Navigating the Cancer Maze. I too received a copy of this book by the author, and I will be giving away a copy here soon. ?Meanwhile, check out Debbie?s great review.

I felt quite emotional reading Terri?s account of her favorite moments over the past few months of her big adventure. She is home at last and I cannot wait to find out what she has planned next. Whatever it is, I know it will be big, brave and wonderful!

Another blogger who has returned to home base this week, is Philippa. Check out her latest post here.

And finally, my prize for the most intriguing headline this week goes to?Jan?for?The Sky Screamer: thrilling and fulfilling ? you will have to read her blog to find out what it?s all about