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Apr 27, 2011

Should I Share My Health Struggles in a Public Blog?

This topic is about someone who started a public blog to share their journey with anal cancer and living with an ostomy. They are unsure whether to continue because of the personal and graphic nature of their experiences. Here are some thoughts and advice on the matter:

- The person feels a mix of emotions, including anger and embarrassment about having an ostomy, but also gratitude for surviving cancer. These feelings are completely normal, and many people in similar situations experience them.

- They have vivid memories of the harsh treatments they went through, such as pre-operative radiation and post-surgical pain, which make them hesitant to share too much detail publicly.

- There is a concern that sharing such personal and graphic details might turn readers away or affect future job opportunities. They wonder if people are interested in reading about someone else's suffering and ask others with ostomies if they share their stories publicly or keep them private.

- The person is also dealing with financial pressures and is looking for better-paying acting work as their unemployment benefits are running out. They are curious about how to balance sharing "too much information" with humor and optimism in their blog.

Additional insights include:

- A potential employer could easily find the blog, but since it is already online, the person feels inclined to continue it. Meeting young cancer survivors has given them renewed hope.

- They describe the severe radiation damage they experienced in detail, which included a fused vagina-rectum-spine, a ruptured vaginal wall, and a long recovery period.

Advice and insights from others:

1. It's normal to feel strong emotions, and many people with ostomies experience both self-pity and joy for surviving. Sharing these feelings can be therapeutic.

2. This forum is a supportive space where most readers understand the ups and downs of living with an ostomy. If posts are too graphic, readers can choose not to engage.

3. Blogging can be practical for keeping family and friends updated and can also be a form of personal catharsis.

4. Authenticity is more important than tone. A blunt blog title can resonate with readers and bring attention to a topic that is often not discussed.

5. Sharing personal stories can help break the stigma around anal and rectal cancers, which are becoming more common. Real experiences can educate others and encourage early treatment.

6. Ultimately, if writing the blog helps the person and might help others, they should go ahead and continue. Those who are not interested in the details can simply choose not to read.
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