We've just had a great weekend with all the family here, celebrating two birthdays (32 and 5). And, during a lovely evening's conversation, talk turned to my blog.
It seems the children all get a lot from it, and in particular (to my relief) all appreciated my recent thoughts on time. But this triggered the question "why do I do it?"
When I started, this time last year, the answer was simple - keeping friends and family in touch with my progress,
as a means of saving you all "enquiring" as to how I am/was during those early chaotic days. But since then it seems to have evolved into something more.
I have discovered it's turned out to be enormously therapeutic to write; something more than just a diary, its also a powerful tool for me to keep positive, marshalling my thoughts forwards and focusing on "life".
And something else struck me - might I be its most frequent reader? It seems to have the same value "on reflection" as it does "in the moment", specifically during these "low" steroid-less days immediately after treatment it reminds me they don't last forever; they do pass and life eventually returns to something like normal for a week or so. Just like myfitnesspal is a help in maintaining a good diet, so blogspot has become a powerful means of me helping me reflect on the good things in life, whatever it may throw at us.
I admit this reason was not intended or anticipated, but I've always been a great believer in the law of unforeseen consequences, although usually anticipating them to be "unhelpful". Such a pleasant surprise to find this one to be such a positive consequence!
Finally, and tightly tied into this unexpected benefit, please keep those comments coming, however you get them to me. Every one adds to the deep sense of support I get from this blog, whoever writes the words!
Hi
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog to be able to keep in touch with how you are as I don't see you and Diana in clinic anymore. I find exactly the same with my blog.it has a range of purposes and some unexpected ones. I also find I get posts in my head that have to come out and once I've written them my thoughts are at peace again, My blog is my lifeline and occasionally I reread back to last Christmas and remind myself of how I felt in the past. I notice a subtle change in your blog ...its just as great as it was but I used to be very impressed with your scientific knowledge, scores, data and how your treatment worked and latterly I'm very impressed with how you express your thoughts and outlook. A creative shift? Keep on writing
Great post Ian, I think Cass hit the nail on the head. Your blog is evolving into something more creative. It has YOU written all over it (in a good way!).
ReplyDelete...and just remember it saves you having to stand in the cold answering all my questions about how you are! ;-)