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A New Summer Blogging Challenge!

A New Summer Blogging Challenge!

There has been so much heartache of late in the breast cancer community, I almost put the kabosh on this post. After changing my mind again and again, I decided to go ahead with it. Maybe it’ll help in small way. So…two summers ago, I shared fifteen random things about myself in a blog post and challenged fellow bloggers and blog readers to do the same. That was so much fun! Thank you to all who participated. I proposed blog challenge number two last summer. Since it’s already August and another summer is fleeting, it’s time for, you guessed it, another blogging challenge! 

Why not join me?

This time around, I thought it might be interesting to pose a few cancer related questions for my fellow bloggers and blog readers as well.

So, here are ten random questions. I challenge fellow bloggers and you, my dear readers, to answer as many of them as you want in a blog post of your own or for the latter group, via a comment below.

  1. Share anything you want about your cancer diagnosis (or your loved one’s). Share your age, cancer type, stage, when you were diagnosed, family history (if any), your reaction, how you learned the news, or whatever you’re comfortable sharing. 

I was diagnosed in 2010, roughly two years after my mother died from metastatic breast cancer. I also learned I am BRCA 2+. My cancer was discovered via a trip to the ER, aka, the day the shit hit the fan.

 2. What is the most outrageous thing someone has said to you about your (or your loved one’s) cancer?

Actually, it was said to dear hubby. Someone asked, “So did they have to take ’em both off?” Today, it doesn’t sound all that outrageous, but at the time, dear hubby was shocked by the personal, intrusive question.

 3. What is your biggest cancer pet peeve? I know it’s hard to choose, as there are many to pick from, right? But what irks you the most?

Mine has to be anything remotely related to implying in any way, shape or form that cancer is a gift, bump in the road, opportunity for enlightenment or a personal growth experience. UGH!

 4. What is something you want others to know specifically about breast cancer?

I want everyone to know all cancer sucks. Period. Breast cancer is not the “good” cancer. There is no such thing. I also want people to realze 40,000+ women and men still die from it every single year in the US alone. It is not the pretty, pink, almost party-like disease it is too often portrayed as.

 5. If applicable, do you worry about recurrence rarely, from time to time or a lot? What is your biggest worry today, right now, this minute?

As I’ve written about before, generally, I do not over worry about recurrence because it won’t help prevent it. I do worry about my family members’ cancer risk and my own day-to-day health, but not specifically cancer recurrence. Of course, I think about it from time to time, but I don’t over worry about it.

 6. Do you feel cancer has made you a better person? Yes, I know this a loaded question. If you do, specifically in what way?

No!

 7. What is your favorite cancer book? (No, I’m not fishing for mentions of mine!)

My favorite sciencey read has to be, The Emperor of All Maladies:  A Biography of Cancer, by Siddhartha Mukherjee.

One favorite memoir (so far anyway, I have several more on my to-read list) about cancer is Teva Harrison’s, In-Between Days:  a memoir about living with cancer, which I recently reviewed.

Another favorite of mine is The Mercy Papers:  A Memoir of Three Weeks by Robin Romm. It’s about a daughter’s last weeks spent with her mother who’s dying from metastatic breast cancer. Not everyone is up to such a tough, emotional read, but if you are, it’s very good.

 8. Besides your family, where do you turn for emotional support?

Online friends, fellow bloggers and you, my dear readers, are hugely supportive for me.

 9. How many cancer blogs do you read and why do you read them?

I have no idea. I read many sporadically, but not that many regularly due to time restraints.

10. Do you call yourself an advocate? If so, what drives you?

Yes, I do. What drives me is always the memory of my mother’s death from metastatic breast cancer, and all the deaths that relentlessly continue. The heartache at times is unbearable, but I will never stop being an ally for those with metastatic disease. Never.

And now it’s YOUR turn!

If you’re a blogger and decide to take up this challenge, feel free to come back and add a link to your post in a comment below. If you’re a blog reader, share a response, or two, or three (or more) with a comment below.

Thank you in advance for participating!

Ready, set, go!

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A new summer blogging challenge!

Lisa

Friday 17th of November 2017

Late to the game but I honour the challenge! I've responded to the questions on my blog. I've tried to put my own, unique spin on the cancer journey. I've embraced it, made it mine and even enjoyed some of the moments and revelations. Yes, cancer did make me a better person! It's all at my blog Pink Dot Detour. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey. Thanks Nancy!

http://pinkdotdetour.com/nancys-blogging-challenge/

Liz

Wednesday 6th of September 2017

I know I'm late, but this challenge looked fun. Thank you for sharing, Nancy! You've asked some really great questions here!

http://nottodaycancer.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-summer-blogging-challenge-coleman.html

Britt Lee

Thursday 24th of August 2017

https://eastmeetsbreast.wordpress.com/2017/08/24/ten-questions-or-stuff-we-want-you-to-know-about-breast-cancer/

Questions answered!

Nancy

Friday 25th of August 2017

Britt, Thank you for participating and for sharing your link. I loved your responses. :)

Kathy Townsend

Monday 21st of August 2017

Hi Nancy... I love following your posts. I decided I would join the challenge! Thanks for all that you do! http://avoiceformbc.blogspot.com/2017/08/summer-blogging-challenge.html

Nancy

Wednesday 23rd of August 2017

Kathy, Thank you for participating in my challenge and for sharing your link.

Ali

Monday 21st of August 2017

1. Share anything you want about your cancer diagnosis 52 years old, stage 3 IDC. Doctor said breast cancer “never happens in the lower part of the breast”. 2 years later saw a nurse practitioner who didn’t just want me out of the office and told me that was just wrong, sent me for mammogram and ultrasound.  2. What is the most outrageous thing someone has said to you "Have you figured out why you got cancer yet?" “If you just stopped eating junk food you’d be fine” (I don’t eat much junk food) and “Aren’t you doing anything to look after yourself?” when I dared to eat a piece of cake in public.  3. What is your biggest cancer pet peeve? I know it’s hard to choose, as there are many to pick from, right? But what irks you the most? Arrogant mean or dismissive medical staff.  4. What is something you want others to know specifically about breast cancer? There is no cure.  5. If applicable, do you worry about recurrence? Yes, a lot.  6. Do you feel cancer has made you a better person? No.  7. What is your favorite cancer book? I can’t remember the name of the one the hospital gave me that spelled all the treatments and side effects out. It was the only one I read.  8. Besides your family, where do you turn for emotional support? Online and a few friends  9. How many cancer blogs do you read and why do you read them? Just this one. I read them to remind myself I’m not nuts. This is awful, and no amount of smiling and lists of things to be grateful for will change that. 10. Do you call yourself an advocate? If so, what drives you? Yes, but not a very active one.

Nancy

Wednesday 23rd of August 2017

Ali, Thank you so much for sharing your responses!