I Fight Cancer with Twitter

For more information on my journey with cancer please follow me on twitter or if you're interested in the larger story see my new Boobs on Ice blog.

Debra Hamel says Twitter is . . "thousands of interconnected, opt-in communities in which people are tweeting their whereabouts and current reading and lunch plans and health updates to the members of their virtual communities--which may include people in their real-life communities too, like family members and work mates."

She's right. If you don't tweet , aren't one of my children or their friend, my spouse or someone he works with, OR a friend of someone in my twitter community you don't know that I have been diagnosed with invasive cancer and on Friday, I will have surgery to remove a breast.

I found a thickening on December 5th, saw my doctor and spent the afternoon with a diagnostic radiologist on the 6th. I have been sharing the story in 140 character format on twitter ever since.

People who I am connected to through twitter have given me referrals, done research for me, baked for me, cheered for me, knitted for me, prayed for me, shared their stories with me,  rallied around me, and started a fundraising campaign for the American Cancer Society in my name.

They know when my surgery is and have "met" my doctors before my busy suburban neighbors know that there is anything wrong  at all.

There are lots of twitter detractors out there. They say it is pointless and self absorbed.  In Ian Hockin'g blog This Writing Life he writes about twitter "I'm sorry, but if you don't think this is simply awesome as a piece of global, human expression, then I can't help you. . .  Twitter is a conversation. It's a communicative technology, and attacking it is as pointless as attacking two cups and piece of string."

And I'll add that it's as heartless as attacking the human need to connect.

Comments

[Karen Putz aka Deaf Mom]

Hi Susan,
I'm new to Twitter and your story. I remember reading something about peas and boobs from someone but had no idea it was you and your story. I'm off to read more! :)

[Pattie]

God bless, Susan. I'll keep you in my prayers and be thinking of you Friday as you go through your surgery.

People like you, and my mom (a breast cancer survivor herself) are why I walk in the ACS's Relay for Life every year. This year I'll light a Luminaria in your honor. :)

[Shelly Brisbin]

Hi Susan,
I've been following your journey via blogs and Twitter, as I know many people have. I would like to interview you for Blogger & Podcaster Magazine. If you have time, and are feeling up to a 20-25 minute phone conversation, I'm sure our readers would gain a lot from reading and hearing (we podcast interview audio) your story. I'm particularly interested in the ways and means of mobilizing the social media community that your cancer, and your openness in discussing it, have shown us. If you are available, please get in touch.
Thank you, and take care,
-shelly Brisbin
Editor-in-chief
Blogger & Podcaster Magazine

[Marti]

You know I adore Twitter, and I've been so impressed with the way people got behind your fight! I hope you're doing much better now - tweet you soon!

[jonny goldstein]

Always a few haters out there. Social media can really help during tough times. Thanks for being so brave and sharing this process with us. We're all the better for it.

[Matt Searles]

God bless.

I lost my mom a week ago last Sunday, twitted about it, and found I was a lot less alone then I thought. I've been so moved by this kinda thing.. It's amazing to me how much the little things can help, and how suffering can put so many things into perspective.

Anyway, you're in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you and your loved ones.

matt

[Jeff]

Praying for a speedy recovery. It's been touching to see the peas take over twitter.

Peace,
Jeff