This is post #629. I know, I can’t believe it either! There is still a thrill and a certain amount of apprehension every time I hit that publish button. It’s freeing and a little scary and a bunch of other things all at the same time.
You always hope for the best, but you never know for sure how your words will be received. You never know which posts will resonate and which ones will tank.
Writing of any sort is a gamble. An exercise in vulnerability. A little revelation into who you are. It’s risky. But it’s worth it. So worth it.
(If you have ever considered starting a blog or doing any sort of writing, do it.)
Putting your thoughts into words and sharing them with the world (okay, that’s a stretch, but you get my point) is pretty darn mind boggling, when you think about it.
Connecting with others going through similar and at the same time, very different things, is pretty wonderful.
I clearly recall the first time I hit that publish button nine years ago. That time, it was definitely heavy on scary.
(Read my very first post, Welcome to Nancy’s Point, if you want to. Gulp. Don’t judge too harshly.)
I don’t feel nearly as apprehensive (though I still feel a certain amount) when hitting that button these days. I’ve found my voice. I’ve gained confidence. I’ve come to realize I’m not alone. For these things, I have YOU, my Dear Readers, to thank.
Sure, sometimes I wonder what keeps me churning out blog posts. How much more can I possibly have to say about the shitstorm that is cancer?
But I guess we can talk about that another day.
Today is about saying thank you. Thank you for being out there. Thank you for sharing, commiserating, validating, listening, commenting, supporting and all the other things you do on a regular basis to help keep this blogger and this community going.
Thank you for reading Nancy’s Point!
Might as well go for ten years, right? (I’m game if you are.)
From the start, I’ve always ended each blog post with a question or two because I want to know what YOU think.
So, I’ll end this post by asking the same question I asked at the end of that first one…
Besides the darn cancer, what brought you to my blog?
Just for fun, share where you live and how long you’ve been reading, if you want to. Also, feel free to let me know what you want to read more (or less) about.
Cancer Curmudgeon
Wednesday 18th of September 2019
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo Thank you, and congrats!
Nancy
Thursday 19th of September 2019
CC, Thank you so much. Very glad you're "out there". xoxo
Lennox Saunders
Monday 16th of September 2019
Happy 9th Anniversary Nancy! This is a great time to thank you for hosting this blog. I live in Saskatchewan and, as good as my doctors are, I wasn't getting straightforward answers to many of my questions about Anastrozole. I started reading your blog right after I finished chemo and a couple of months into my hormone therapy, so about four years now. Yours was the only site that gave me confirmation of the side effects I was having and, though it was upsetting to know the effects were real, it was also reassuring to know that it wasn't all in my head and that my concerns were valid. I love your essays that begin each session and I really like the fact that you have a theme for each post. It's great that readers have a chance to vent, rant, exchange information, and learn about the issues surrounding breast cancer. So having said that, I'd also like to thank the readers who have been brave enough to come forward and share their experiences. Thanks again Nancy for being there for all of us.
Nancy
Tuesday 17th of September 2019
Lennox, Thank you so much for your kind words, ongoing support and loyal readership for four years. And I agree about reader comments. Grateful to those who so willingly share, including you!
Marie Ennis-O'Connor
Sunday 15th of September 2019
Happy blogoversary dear Nancy. I think I probably say this every year but I still remember when you first started blogging and look at you now - one of the strongest, most consistent and most helpful voices in the breast cancer community.
Nancy
Monday 16th of September 2019
Marie, Thank you so much for your kind words and ongoing support. You continue to be a beacon for many, including me.
mamamorgaine
Friday 13th of September 2019
I have only been reading a couple of months since my diagnosis in April. I found you by following a Pinterest link of "Cancer was not a gift..." and proceeding to read through almost everything on your blog. It was such a relief to find honest discussion instead of a constant barrage of "You are Amazing" from friends and family when I felt anything but amazing.
I must also add that the comments on some of your articles helped me define my own treatment plan. When there are hundreds of responses it constitutes a statistical universe and I am so grateful to you and your readers for that!
Nancy
Friday 13th of September 2019
Mamamorgaine, Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. But I'm glad you found me! If you are looking for no sugarcoating, you have come to the right place. This forum is not for everyone, but it works well for me and my very insightful readers. I completely agree about the value of comments left here. My Dear Readers are so wise and often offer excellent insights that are far more helpful than anything I've said. Thank you so much for your kind words and welcome! Good luck with things as you move forward.
Julia Barnickle
Thursday 12th of September 2019
Happy blogging anniversary, Nancy! I’m a fairly new reader, over the other side of the pond in the U.K. and I totally understand how scary starting a blog can be - and also how wonderful it is, to be able to publish our thoughts and stories so easily! And even if we only reached one person, and that person learned something useful or felt comforted as a result, it was worth pushing the “publish” button, even if it felt scary. The thing I particularly like about your blog is that, although the background topic is cancer, you look at it from lots of different angles, sharing your views and experiences as well as some hard facts. So definitely keep going!!
Nancy
Thursday 12th of September 2019
Julia, Thank you so much. And you're right. Reaching one or two people makes it all worthwhile.