Thursday, September 3, 2015
The life of a 20-something cancer patient: Silent Struggles - Project Guinea Pig
The life of a 20-something cancer patient: Silent Struggles - Project Guinea Pig: I am a fairly vocal person. Anyone with whom I have ever crossed paths with would likely say the same. I am fortunate to be able to chat w...
Silent Struggles - Project Guinea Pig
I am a fairly vocal person. Anyone with whom I have ever crossed paths with would likely say the same. I am fortunate to be able to chat with many different types of people, spanning many topics and genres. I acquire abundant amounts of knowledge from the men, women and children I spend time with each day. Whether our conversation lasts ten minutes, or we have a number of discussions over ten years, I cherish, and devote myself entirely to each interaction. This "talent", if you will, is what led me to an interesting idea. I would like to make my blog more interactive. Instead of me rambling on about my life, I would like to help others find their path out of their own "silent struggles".
I am calling this new endeavor "Project Guinea Pig". The name is not locked in. I am open to suggestions. I'm not too keen on the idea of calling myself a pig, but I can roll with it. Anyway, the premise behind the name is to create an open environment between myself and my readers. I am choosing to put myself in the roll of "guinea pig". This concept is very similar to the popular column titled "Dear Abby". I used to read/buy newspapers solely for the "Dear Abby" column. I have secretly always wanted to be the next "Dear Abby". The original "Dear Abby" passed away a while back and a new "Dear Abby" has since taken over the duties. I don't think there is going to be an opening for a new "Dear Abby" anytime soon, so I am venturing forward and fabricating my own communal outlet for my readers.
Here's how it works:
My blog will become a sounding board for myself, as well as, for each and every reader. I will continue to write about the day-to-day events I face, and I will answer questions, test theories, and become a "guinea pig" of sorts to each of you. You can choose to contact me while maintaining complete anonymity, or share your identity with us all. Readers can connect with me on various forms of social media.
- Through the comment section of my blog. midtwentiescancerpatient.blogspot.com
- Through Facebook. Just add me as a friend
- Through Twitter. Follow mimiLeigh8285
- On both Twitter and Facebook you can choose to message me directly, or post to my wall.
If this experiment is well received I will create separate Facebook and Twitter accounts. If any of you have connections with any forms of publication, i.e. magazines, newspapers, web-azines, blogs, please let me know. I would love to associate myself with current and/or prospective publications. I sure could use the paycheck. Working remotely and being a cancer patient doesn't exactly put me at the top of the stack when it comes to employment, but I digress.
As I mentioned above, I would love to take my blog to the next level. I want to give the readers a voice. It is more than likely that each of you have friends, family members, teachers, therapist, etc that you can bounce ideas off of and voice frustrations with. I am not here to take the place of those relationships. I am here to provide another outlet for the questions, theories, and/or natural wonderment about the things that might not be so pleasant. The things we are too shy, embarrassed, apprehensive, nervous, and/or scared to ask without complete anonymity. I am also willing to test out popular theories surrounding healthcare, cancer, social interactions, etc. This does not open the door to disgusting or disturbing questions/theories. I am suggesting that the topics may be difficult to discuss openly with those closest to you.
Being diagnosed with cancer at age 24, and being forced into my fair share of uncomfortable situations, I am no longer timid or coy around doctors. I am also surrounded by an eclectic group of people each day. Some of them have lived for many years, and others have barely begun their journey through life. In addition to the age range of people I am around each day, I am encompassed by many various types and ever-changing family dynamics. I am a personal witness to many trials and tribulations of family life. My own family structure can be helpful to many of you. Of course, any and all of my findings will be discussed and portrayed with absolute anonymity. Names, dates, specific situations, etc will all be changed to protect the privacy of everyone involved, myself excluded. I am conducting this experiment, and quite frankly, I have no shame. My identity will be the only one revealed.
*Please note that all of the questions asked, theories tested and information shared will be chosen by my own discretion. Please also note that I am battling cancer. Unfortunately unexpected occurrences happen quite frequently. It may take some time before I can respond to questions posted. I will answer each question as soon as possible. I will also post any and all dates that I know I will be away from my blog and social media. I would like to also express that due to my condition, I am given many different types of medication. Some of these medications can cause me to have an altered mindset. I will not answer or post any information when I am taking the afore mentioned medications. That too, may cause a delay in response time. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, but I want to provide the most clear and concise answer to each and everyone who seeks my advice. Lastly, and the most important point of notice is that I am not a doctor, a therapist, a counselor, or an expert of any kind. I am a friend. I am a patient. I am a voice of reason and/or clarity. I am not claiming to be a professional of any kind. I am also not receiving any form of payment for my services at this time. That does not mean that I will not look into making this a career option for myself in the future either by self publication, or working with an established publication.
I am looking forward to embarking upon this new adventure with all of you. I hope you will all join in the experience!!
I am calling this new endeavor "Project Guinea Pig". The name is not locked in. I am open to suggestions. I'm not too keen on the idea of calling myself a pig, but I can roll with it. Anyway, the premise behind the name is to create an open environment between myself and my readers. I am choosing to put myself in the roll of "guinea pig". This concept is very similar to the popular column titled "Dear Abby". I used to read/buy newspapers solely for the "Dear Abby" column. I have secretly always wanted to be the next "Dear Abby". The original "Dear Abby" passed away a while back and a new "Dear Abby" has since taken over the duties. I don't think there is going to be an opening for a new "Dear Abby" anytime soon, so I am venturing forward and fabricating my own communal outlet for my readers.
Here's how it works:
My blog will become a sounding board for myself, as well as, for each and every reader. I will continue to write about the day-to-day events I face, and I will answer questions, test theories, and become a "guinea pig" of sorts to each of you. You can choose to contact me while maintaining complete anonymity, or share your identity with us all. Readers can connect with me on various forms of social media.
- Through the comment section of my blog. midtwentiescancerpatient.blogspot.com
- Through Facebook. Just add me as a friend
- Through Twitter. Follow mimiLeigh8285
- On both Twitter and Facebook you can choose to message me directly, or post to my wall.
If this experiment is well received I will create separate Facebook and Twitter accounts. If any of you have connections with any forms of publication, i.e. magazines, newspapers, web-azines, blogs, please let me know. I would love to associate myself with current and/or prospective publications. I sure could use the paycheck. Working remotely and being a cancer patient doesn't exactly put me at the top of the stack when it comes to employment, but I digress.
As I mentioned above, I would love to take my blog to the next level. I want to give the readers a voice. It is more than likely that each of you have friends, family members, teachers, therapist, etc that you can bounce ideas off of and voice frustrations with. I am not here to take the place of those relationships. I am here to provide another outlet for the questions, theories, and/or natural wonderment about the things that might not be so pleasant. The things we are too shy, embarrassed, apprehensive, nervous, and/or scared to ask without complete anonymity. I am also willing to test out popular theories surrounding healthcare, cancer, social interactions, etc. This does not open the door to disgusting or disturbing questions/theories. I am suggesting that the topics may be difficult to discuss openly with those closest to you.
Being diagnosed with cancer at age 24, and being forced into my fair share of uncomfortable situations, I am no longer timid or coy around doctors. I am also surrounded by an eclectic group of people each day. Some of them have lived for many years, and others have barely begun their journey through life. In addition to the age range of people I am around each day, I am encompassed by many various types and ever-changing family dynamics. I am a personal witness to many trials and tribulations of family life. My own family structure can be helpful to many of you. Of course, any and all of my findings will be discussed and portrayed with absolute anonymity. Names, dates, specific situations, etc will all be changed to protect the privacy of everyone involved, myself excluded. I am conducting this experiment, and quite frankly, I have no shame. My identity will be the only one revealed.
*Please note that all of the questions asked, theories tested and information shared will be chosen by my own discretion. Please also note that I am battling cancer. Unfortunately unexpected occurrences happen quite frequently. It may take some time before I can respond to questions posted. I will answer each question as soon as possible. I will also post any and all dates that I know I will be away from my blog and social media. I would like to also express that due to my condition, I am given many different types of medication. Some of these medications can cause me to have an altered mindset. I will not answer or post any information when I am taking the afore mentioned medications. That too, may cause a delay in response time. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, but I want to provide the most clear and concise answer to each and everyone who seeks my advice. Lastly, and the most important point of notice is that I am not a doctor, a therapist, a counselor, or an expert of any kind. I am a friend. I am a patient. I am a voice of reason and/or clarity. I am not claiming to be a professional of any kind. I am also not receiving any form of payment for my services at this time. That does not mean that I will not look into making this a career option for myself in the future either by self publication, or working with an established publication.
I am looking forward to embarking upon this new adventure with all of you. I hope you will all join in the experience!!
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