It’s the first Monday of the month, and welcome to all! Today of course is July 4th, Independence Day. Because of the holiday, this will be an open thread tonight. But perhaps I can suggest a loose theme — independence. The word has many meanings to many people, in addition to the independence of our nation. Most of us strive for a balance between individual independence and the need for community, close family ties and dear friendships. We are never solely independent, but interdependent in many ways.
For those with cancer, or who are cancer survivors, independence takes on new shadings and meanings. While undergoing treatment, we need to rely upon those around us to support us and get us through and can be very dependent, indeed. For those who have completed treatment (yay!), perhaps there is a new flavor to independence, knowing that once again we can be more independent, but newly thankful to those who were there when we needed them.
Please feel free to check in in any way you like. I’ll be here for the bulk of the evening. How are you doing this 4th of July?
Monday Night Cancer Club is a monthly Daily Kos group for anyone who has cancer, has a loved one with cancer, or who has questions, issues, or information to share about cancer, including clinicians, researchers, or others who have a special interest and can help to educate our readers. We have many different members who fit all these categories, sometimes more than one at a time. Please share if you can, or just listen; there is plenty to learn just from reading our extensive catalogue of past diaries and postings. All are welcome to use this group as a resource. Volunteer diarists post the first Monday of each month between 7:30-8:30 PM ET on topics related to living with cancer, which is very broadly defined to cover physical, spiritual, emotional and cognitive aspects. While most diaries focus on a specific topic or area relevant to cancer, each diary is also an Open Thread for sharing concerns, announcements, and information. Mindful of the controversies endemic to cancer prevention and treatment, we ask that both diarists and commenters keep an open mind regarding strategies for surviving cancer, whether based in traditional, Eastern, Western, allopathic or other medical practices. This is a club no one wants to join, in truth, and compassion will help us make it through the challenge together.
Here are the commitments for monthly diaries as it stands right now — please volunteer! We would greatly appreciate your talents!
August — ZenTrainer
September — outragedinSF
October —
November —
December —
January —
As most of you may know, Monday Night Cancer Club recently moved to a monthly cadence. Because of this, it is important to reinforce the sharing and community aspects of our group. If you click on the group tag, you will notice that the move to a monthly post doesn’t mean that there are only posts on the first Monday of each month. Entries are still posted to MNCC whenever they are shared or relevant.