“The C Word” and this incredible blogging community

I am currently sat on my bed with a tear in my eye after watching the incredible BBC drama “The C Word” which tells the true story of Lisa Lynch, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and blogged her way through the process of treatment.

The drama was amazing, and really shows how outstandingly strong anyone has to be to go through something like that. Lisa put it all on the internet and found a community that supported and empathised with her in a way that someone who hasn’t gone through it simply can’t. She found friends who were going through the same treatment, and the same situation.

Lisa Lynch The C Word Blog


She wrote a book too, which I am definitely going to get hold of a copy of, which continues to help and inspire those suffering with cancer to this day.

Her blog is still out there for anyone to read (link below) and I think that is so incredibly admirable – particularly now that she has sadly passed away – it would be so easy for her family to have taken it down, so they don’t have to re-live it, or know that other people are reading about her bad days in her own words every day – but it’s still there.
More than that, it has been continued by a friend of Lisa’s because “‘Alright tit’ is no longer a blog about life with breast cancer. It’s a blog about life beyond breast cancer.” (This is a quote from a few posts after Lisa passed away, but is in fact a quote from Lisa herself.)
Toby, the friend who has taken over guardianship of ‘Alright Tit’, also added “It’s a blog about remembering old friends and discovering new ones. It’s about honouring someone who put us all to shame with electric writing and a work ethic that hovered between humbling and insane. And it’s all about us.”

This woman was going through the most terrifying, unpredictable time of her life, and in her words she shows such a extraordinary zest for life – I cannot comprehend the kind of strength that must have taken and how incredible and brave she must have been.

I don’t really have a point to this blog post. I guess I just wanted to say something about how moved I was by this BBC drama, and this extraordinary woman’s story, but also about how incredible the blogging community is. How supportive, helpful and accommodating everyone is. You enter this community knowing no-one and you meet some of the most genuine and friendly people there are. Even if it is just giving advice about how to maintain dyed red hair, it’s there! (Thanks by the way for those who did give me tips about this – the red is still intact – I shall keep you posted when my roots start coming through!)

I am still really new to this blogging thing. I only started in December, but it amazes me every day. Every comment on every post. Every time someone tweets a reply or a comment to me. And the bravery of some of the posts I read on other blogs. The honesty. We are all complete strangers, and yet, because we are strangers who share, we are united. And I count myself lucky to have found a community like this.

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“The C Word” was broadcast on Sunday 3rd May 2015 at 8.30pm on BBC One. 
As I write this, it is available on BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05tr05b/the-c-word
 
Lisa Lynch’s Blog “Alright Tit” can be found at www.alrighttit.blogspot.co.uk
Lisa’s family have always said that they hope the success of her book and this BBC drama will get people talking about breast cancer, and checking themselves more.
Ladies, if you don’t know how to check yourselves, go to this website to see exactly what you should be doing. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps
 
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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Emma Hope Newitt
    May 4, 2015 at 11:14 am

    I'm literally about to write my own individual post on this programme, how incredible is it!
    My friend passed away from Cystic Fibrosis 2 years ago and her blog is still live too! It's a lasting memory but I do wish like Lisa's blog people kept posting and keeping it alive to continue to raise awareness.

    I cried like a baby watching this programme! You forget about how big this blogging world is and how somebody can make such a big impact!

    Emmie | http://www.carpediememmie.co.uk/

  • Reply
    Djaniella
    May 5, 2015 at 3:11 am

    Ah. That's so inspirational. I checked out her blog and felt super touched. It hits home and I am looking forward to and afraid (because I might cry) of watching "The C-Word" on BBC!

    Thanks for the post! 🙂

  • Reply
    Samantha M.
    May 12, 2015 at 12:20 am

    I've been wanting to watch that documentary for a while, but found it too painful to, as my grandmother was going through treatments for breast cancer. She passed away this February, and it has been the most difficult, heartbreaking experience I have ever had to live through. I hope that one day I can be more positive about the whole situation, but quite frankly, it hurts and I feel like my family was destroyed emotionally by her cancer just as much as it destroyed her body.
    I'm happy there are people who are able to bravely face this disease, I wish I had their strength and courage.

  • Reply
    Rosie Ladkin
    July 9, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    It can have such a huge impact and provide so much support for people. Really humbling programme.
    R xx

  • Reply
    Rosie Ladkin
    July 9, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    Its beautiful and so brave. I think I need to watch the programme again – it was so powerful.
    Glad you liked the post
    R xx

  • Reply
    Rosie Ladkin
    July 9, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss – It is always so hard to lose a loved one.
    I know that you will find the strength and the courage to get through this and find positivity through it, somehow.
    Keep your chin up and time will heal.
    Thank you for your comment – it must have taken a lot to write and I really appreciate it.
    If you ever need anything, or a friendly stranger to offload to, I'm on girlonajourney1@gmail.com.
    🙂
    R xx

  • Reply
    Natalie Owens
    October 25, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    She was amazing wasn't she. I was first introduced to the blog by someone I work with, whose brother is best friends with Lisa's brother. It was so sad to hear when she died. The courage and strength that people have at those times is amazing.
    Natalie
    http://www.lifesmantelpiece.com

  • Reply
    Rosie Ladkin
    December 8, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    Absolutely phenomenal bravery. I was stunned by the whole thing.
    I'm planning to buy the book asap – I imagine it must be incredibly inspiring!
    R xx

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