We are a solid group. The breast cancer social media gang. The bloggers who are listed here (and if you are missing from the blogroll, identify yourself, please!) and those of us who chat on twitter.
On twitter, that hashtag, #bcsm is now known as The Bat Signal. If anyone throws a #bcsm on the end of a tweet, there is a guarantee, someone will respond in a flash. Yes, a bat signal. THE Bat Signal.
Yesterday, that signal was flying off fingers like wildfire. It was an AWFUL day for a group that just celebrated its six month anniversary. I am so thrilled to spend an hour each week with these brilliant women exchanging thoughts and ideas. Supporting each other.
Yesterday, every one of us participated in that chat with heavy hearts. Hearing about Rachel's death early in the day brought the community to tears. For hours, there were messages going back and forth among many people. When I saw Toddler Planet jump to the top of my blog roll indicating a new post, I immediately clicked the link to the familiar page, saw Susan's smiling face and the word, Goodbye. I stared at the screen------stunned------shocked--------in utter disbelief....
This is going to be a week of reflection for me. Yesterday, there were THREE posts written. The first one said I had nothing. Little did I know what was to come in the hours ahead. Now, I really have nothing.
I call #BCSM Officially A No Pink Zone and now the twitter home of a group of Fearless Friends known as Rachel's Rebels and Susan's InSurgents. We are all determined to keep their voices strong and make sure those voices are heard by many. We will mourn and we will be sad and then we will become a determined group of women who will not be turned away. We will continue to bang on doors and we will make noise and raise the decibel level as high as we must.
We will NOT be okay with the same old same old. The status quo sucks. It's just. that. simple.
Take time to poke around their blogs. They are truly brilliant, remarkable women. A funeral one week ago and two more deaths yesterday. It's overwhelming. I need to regroup. This shattered my world.
AnneMarie,
ReplyDeleteIt is too much to bear, isn't it? Too many dying. I'm saddened beyond belief.
I'm with you, Beth and I do believe there were likely MANY people watching the chat last night who simply could not bear to even express what they were feeling. Heart breaking. Really.... Something has to change.... Meantime, I am glad we all have each other. Support and soon, The Revolution.
DeleteWe also left Cheryl Radford two weeks ago. Did you know Cheryl? James & I came so close to flying half way cross the world to meet her about 2 years ago. I was so worried about her & at that time what seemed like a lack of sympathetic care from not just her doctors, but her husband as well. She & I emailed a storm.
ReplyDeleteTake care, sweet lady,
Brenda
Brenda,
DeleteI didn't know Cheryl although, I think I saw a link to her blog and I followed it..... You are such a special person..... I could see you running half way around the world to care for one of those who you count as a friend! I am glad we became friends.... So glad...
Love to you,
AnneMarie
Ann Marie,
ReplyDeleteYour posts this week have been astounding. I still can't quite grasp these latest losses. It's been too much to absorb. On top of these losses I also am dealing with many anniversary memories of my mom's final days. What you said in an earlier post is so true,
"It's up to us to make sure her(their) voice(s) is(are) NEVER silenced. It's up to us to make it happen."
Dear Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry this is all coming at you at once. The anniversaries are awful.
I can look at my calendar from April of 2006 through October of 2007 and see: my cancer dx and all those surgeries, tests, chemo dates; my DAD's cancer dx, several surgeries and his ultimate untimely death; my MOM's cancer dx and HER surgeries....
I like your adjustment to that sentence..... I think we should start a page of our favorite quotes... I'm certain we can find many from both Rachel and Susan for starters..... I like that idea.... You in?
Love to you, Nancy....
xoxox
Blindsided is the only word to describe this week's events. It seems to always happen this way...quick and relatively unexpected. A sucker-punch to the gut. I think a page of favorite quotes would be very apprapose.
ReplyDeleteSending love your way,
Tory
Thanks, Tory.... I appreciate your kindness... and I send lots of love to you. Was at a volunteer meeting last night and the focal point was caregivers and how you guys are truly the most unsung heroes. That tide is changing. We need to see you are supported. It's the purest labor of love. PERIOD.
ReplyDeletexoxo
I saw a comment someplace by you that you have only been social networking for six months - are you sure?? I feel as if you have been part of our tight crew forever! It's been such an awful week - there hasn't been a minute that I haven't been thinking of Rachel and Susan - Rachel particularly, getting to know her online for the past two years and sharing a special bond with her - and it has been such a comfort to log on anytime of the day and night and use the bat signal to reach out and know that I can find someone who truly does understand. Here's to the bat girls x
ReplyDeleteYes, it's true! On July 19th, I went public with the blog and that was the domino that propelled me forward. In six months, I've gotten an education to span a lifetime from the wisdom of the bloggers and the tweeps. This has been a horrible week and on Monday when it all started, I was just coming to terms with the funeral I attended one week prior. The bonds formed here are tighter than ANY brick and mortar support group in which I've ever participated. The bat signal is simply the best. No one is ever alone. Yes, a toast to the bat girls. I'm at my choppy finest tonight..... but that doesn't matter.... I can be me.... and in this moment, words don't flow properly..... but I know YOU (collective You and singular You) get it... and no one judges and we are all in it together. Can't put a price on what that means to me.
DeleteBat girls... love it.... we need to get capes.....
xoxo
I am so sorry for your losses. I haven't lost anyone I have "met" online yet, but I have a few I am worried about. :o( Lost my Daddy in 2009 to the big C, and am thankful to currently be NED and going on Tamoxifen.... tomorrow Ack. But better safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to pop by and say I'm so sorry. ((HUG))
Melissa,
DeleteNED is very good. Tamoxifen kinda sorta sucks-I'm on femara but I agree, better safe than sorry. This was a rough effin week. Online community seems to be very tight-knit so I can relate to having people in a circle that you are worried about. Thanks for popping over--hugs are great... virtual ones mean as much as the real ones....
xoxo
This really is overwhelming. Too many deaths all at once. When will it end? I love your No-Pink Zone label as well as the new ones in memory of our blogging friends. I hope to join #BCSM again soon, when I get the legal go-ahead. XOXO, Jan
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking it's just as well I don't know what the "legal go-ahead" is all about.... I'm definitely thinking I'd be enraged and ready to start another revolution. I've really had enough of the BS. I'm thinking if I did find out WHAT is going on, as soon as I know you can't be legally harmed by the words of others, I'm going to be running my mouth.... xoxox AnneMarie
ReplyDelete