The important things about blogging

This sort of goes back to why I blog. I blog about what I want to, what appeals to me, the mood I'm in, how I am feeling, or whatever is on my mind. When I started blogging I never dreamed I would be blogging for so long but I am.

I also follow many other blogs, mostly health related but some are about gardening, or cooking, or just writing. Its nice to know there are other bloggers out there. And its nice to know they like to read my blog too. And other people read my blog, too. The blogosphere is sort of a little club where we all have bonds through our health ailments. So somewhere in me I get a little warm fuzzy feeling about being in with the cool kids in high school again.

And then I get nominated for being one of the best breast cancer or whatever blogs. Yesterday I found a link for the best 150 breast cancer blogs and a little thing niggled inside me that I wanted to belong again. I did find my blog on the list. I was happy. Sort of. It was only someone else's opinion.

And then I decided I don't really care anymore. Its not what other people think about me that's important. It sort of goes back to wanting to be the cool kid again. I'm not here for other people's opinions. I write to express my thoughts and deal with my health issues.

Cancer Immunotherapy

That's a mouthful. But Science Magazine has named Cancer Immunotherapy as their breakthrough for the year. So what exactly is that?

"“Immunotherapy marks an entirely different way of treating cancer — by targeting the immune system, not the tumor itself,” Science said... Based on the idea that the immune system can be trained to attack tumors in the same way that it targets infectious agents, cancer immunotherapy exploits the ability to harness different types of immune cells circulating in the body."

Researchers have already made some progress with this way of thinking with both melanoma and leukemia. They have plans in the works for progress for lymphoma and prostate cancer with trials set to begin soon.

From the patient's point of view, I think a new way of looking at cancer and treating it is real progress, instead of more of the same.

23 Best Breast Cancer Blogs of 2012

Healthline just announced their top 23 breast cancer blogs of 2012 and for some reason included me. I am very honored. You can read what they wrote about me here. Apparently I have opinions.

"Caroline has her own list of aches, pains, and the cancer bug, but she’s not letting it stop her. This survivor has a few bones to pick with the medical community, though, and she’s not letting anything slide. Advocate, blogger, and awareness junkie extraordinaire, Caroline has big plans for cancer: its end.

Caroline’s Breast Cancer Blog has no shortage of provocative, detailed discussion about what’s new in breast cancer treatments, diagnosis, and everything else she feels motivated to scrutinize. Cancer should know by now that Caroline does what she wants – and does it well!"

I'm glad they like me. Someone likes me. I guess I do have opinions.

But now I have 22 more blogs to follow. I probably already follow at least five of the others listed but I am going to start following the others. I suggest you all go look at all the others and maybe start following them as well.

Today I am off to the back pain doctor to talk about my back pain. Grr. I want a miracle.