2020 Blog Hop Challenge Questions

Well I used to participate in these ‘Blog Hops’ with my last blog, but haven’t done so with this one until now. The idea from Nancy at Nancy’s Point (a blog about breast cancer and loss) is to answer the following questions then she will list all those participating - it is a good way to connect with some other similar blogs. 

I’m looking forward to seeing who participates and will add a link here when they are published. I haven’t followed many other blogs but have enjoyed Nancy’s as she takes care to cover issues like Black Lives Matter, cancer reoccurrence and more in a sensitive warm and informative way - but don't agree with all that is written!

The questions

1. Who are you? Tell us whatever you want about you and your blog?

I’m Philip Booth, I live with my partner in Stroud, Gloucestershire. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2017 and have taken an integrative approach to healing; conventional, lifestyle and complimentary. I started a blog to explore approaches and issues around cancer; it includes some of my films of events and people - plus some of my cousins cartoons. Topics have included climate change and cancer, transurethral hyperthermia, cancer retreats, fear, biopsies, recipes, improving outcomes for radiotherapy and so much more. I don’t give advice and do try to be non-judgemental; everyone has to find their way so in the blogs I try to look at all sides of an argument. 

2. What has been your biggest blogging challenge during this pandemic, and how have you been tackling it (or trying to)?

I work for a charity that is working to build more welcoming communities for all and have recently started a few hours helping the integrative cancer charity, Yes to Life, to set up online support groups. All of that is online so the biggest challenge has been going online yet more to write a blog. I’m hugely grateful to have a job but certainly feel ‘zoomed’ out a lot of the time!

If you are interested in our free online Wigwam Cancer Support Groups or our fortnightly free online Forums with expert speakers then find out more at: https://www.wigwam.org.uk/

3. What is something you've accomplished with your blog that you're most proud of? 

One of the accomplishments is getting exercise more on the agenda locally; the blog has helped with this in terms of sharing my story and connecting with others locally. I’ve been working with another guy living with cancer, two local charities and local councils to see if we can get more ‘cancer exercise’ classes. We know the research showing huge benefits to many people with cancer; if it was a tablet they’d be throwing it at us! Yet few health professionals seem to mention it to cancer patients and many exercise instructors won’t take people who have had surgery or chemo because you need to have more knowledge about the impacts of exercise. We now have some online classes and are hoping to develop a network across our county of classes and raise awareness amongst our health service.

4. Share two of your best blogging tips.

- Find good original films, photos or cartoons to help bring a blog alive.

Rebounding

- Enjoy the writing - if not don’t do it!

5. What is one of your blogging goals this year?

I am passionate about seeing integrative cancer care readily available so that people have the best chance of reclaiming their health. However no big goals as the blog is more about exploring issues for myself; but I do have got a whole range of issues that I want to explore more.

6. When things get hard, what keeps you blogging, even if not regularly?

I guess as the blog is more for me I don’t write if it is too hard but an easy way to get writing is to share a recipe or something more simple to write about.

7. What is a dream you have for your blog? 

No big dreams as it is more about exploring issues for myself but if it helps others then great.

Trew Fields Ice Bath

8. Share a link to a favorite post you've written that you want more people to read.

I guess some of the more popular blogs include some of my films, so here’s one of the quite extraordinary Trew Fields cancer festival: https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2019/09/trew-fields-festival-my-long-film.html Another blog is about the danger of a single story around cancer: https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2019/01/dangers-of-single-story.html

Blogs participating