First the Pinktober news. "When it comes to research", writes Lisa, "contributing a few pennies at the grocery story that will go who knows where, or buying a product with a pink ribbon on it, is unlikely to have much impact." Instead, Lisa suggests a better alternative is to focus on a charity whose main emphasis is cancer research, and helpfully lists some of those charities.
Wendi shares the results of the #BreastCancerRealityCheck campaign and encourages us to keep tweeting using the hashtag.
What resonated most with me was the sense of community felt as we recognised and identified with each other's realities.
If you want to see what breast cancer is really like then search the hashtags #BreastCancerRealities and #BreastCancerRealityCheck on social media. I'll wager there's not a pink ribbon in sight.
For the true raw reality check of MBC, read Beth Caldwell's latest post.
Jo highlights some sobering secondary breast cancer stats and how she has been campaigning on this issue for the past two years.
Melissa at The Underbelly lists 15 things not to say to someone with breast cancer.
Life with cancer – heck life full-stop – is never straight-forward, as Maureen's latest post so clearly shows.
Connie shares a great story about letting go of vulnerability in order to be open to the experience of that moment.
Lisa Thompson is feeling grateful.
Lovely reflection on embracing new experiences by Chris.
Totally in agreement with Becky's latest post on the best places to find current and relevant information are blogs and social media.
Terri shares practical and helpful information on products to buy after a mastectomy and diep flap procedure.
What happens to your friendships when you get cancer? Some are strengthened, some lost. In Shine's latest blog, Catherine shares a letter she wrote to a someone who was a close friend before cancer, but who disappeared once her diagnosis was confirmed.
Wonderful post by Ann Becker Schutte on how health is not a virtue.
Julia shares a stunning series of photos on her blog from a trip to Venice earlier this year.
We are more than familiar in the cancer world with those ubiquitous fighting metaphors that are used to describe dealing with cancer, so it's interesting to read another take on the importance of language, written by Fiona about "battling" mental health issues.
Read this incredibly raw and powerful poem written by Sarah.
Wonderful reflection from Stephanie on the interconnectedness of our thoughts and experiences.
Lara's post about all the things in life she missed having her Mom for hit home for me. Although I was lucky to have my own mother for many milestones in my life, there have been many more since she died that I wished with all my heart to have her there for.
Finally this week, I leave you with a thought-provoking question from Eileen – when is it time to stop trying to fix ourselves?
Lots of great writing this week! Thank you for putting together another great roundup, Marie, and for including my post.
Marie, thank you, and thank you. We all appreciate you so much.
Thanks to you all for taking the time to read and comment here. Victoria, wonderful to hear from you again – thanks for letting us know about your new blog. Hope all is well with you.