When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer last year, I decided that I was going to be in control as much as possible this time. The day after my diagnosis I started a blog and when I told my friends and family about my health, I also told them they could track it on my blog.

I created my blog because I didn't want to have 1000 phone conversations every day like this "Hi, how are you? How are you feeling?" "When do you go back to the doctor?" "When is your next surgery/treatment/test/procedure?" "Did you get the results of your test?" "When do you expect them?"

I wanted to have conversations about life, fun, gardening, adventures, hiking, gossip. Anything but awkward pauses about my health. My blog is my way of managing the information flow on my health. I update it every day and encourage people to read it. That way when I see people I talk about life.

Also, it allows me to control the information I give out (my marketing background). After every surgery/test/procedure, I was told 5-7 days for the results but have since learned that the information is usually available in about 48 hours and they will call you if its bad. I can post that I will find out the results on this date. Then if I get bad news before, I can think it over before writing about it AND I don't have to start calling everyone to tell them. I only have to write it once.

All of this does make me feel more in control and connected. My friends and family around the world read my blog and can stay in touch. The only people who ever hear from me directly on my health are my husband (who usually is there at every appointment) and my parents, because I don't think they should have to read it on line.

I have actually heard that blogging (think keeping a diary or journal 50 or more years ago) is very common for people being treated for medical conditions and is actually very healthy - as a release for the patient. 

If you are thinking about blogging go to wordpress.com or blogspot.com to start for free. My blog is at http://carolinemfr.blogspot.com if you want.