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While I realize in Internet World a million views is not that much, certainly not considered viral, it's a bit different when it's a blog as opposed to a video. When it is a blog, especially one about an unpleasant subject such as cancer; when it is nearly all writing instead of dancing Korean men or women in bikinis, you realize a million page views is an accomplishment.
I have to stay away from viruses anyway.
Incredibly, many of the people who find me weren't searching for "breasts, boobs, big ones," (although there are a few of those). Most of them were looking for true stories of living with breast cancer and I have found that many find me and start from the beginning, like a book. So in the pie chart of page views, my repeat readers are a big slice.
I feel like I should be giving an academy award speech or something. "I'd like to thank my computer for never crapping out on me while I'm in the middle of a thought, I'd like to thank my desk with the view of the yard that gives me something to look at while thinking...."
But the real thanks should go to my readers. All of you: the ones who sit with a cup of coffee and read every new post quietly but with dedication, as well as those of you who comment on the things I say; both types of readers are valuable to me and have made me what I am now: an unemployed blogger with terminal cancer. So thank you.
Truly, so many of you provide support and encouragement that I honestly don't know how I would have managed this disease the way I have without you. I'm very grateful.
I didn't want to let this number pass by without an acknowledgment. Let's hope I make it to 2 million yeah?
Yay for one.million!!! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd, thanks to you Diane!
Delete2 million, here we come!!
ReplyDeleteIt's an award well won Ann. Here's to the next million! :)
ReplyDeleteIf only it came with money, lol. Well, it probably could if I wanted to turn my blog into an advertising machine. You never know......
DeleteCongratulations! I really appreciate and enjoy reading your blog. It has helped me cope with my own breast cancer experience. I agree -- Here's to the next million page views!
ReplyDeleteKathy :)
Hearing that it helped somebody else coped is why I continue to do it. Thank you!
DeleteWell done Ann. It's easy to see why your blog is well-read; you're articulate, funny and intelligent and at the same time your writing hits the spot. It's like having a best friend with whom you're on the same wave-length - even though we've never met. By the way I had no idea that it was possible to see how people view your blog or what they search for. Wishing you lots more blog years ahead. Ann in England. x
ReplyDeleteThe statistics show little details, like where the reader is located, what browser they use, and what search terms they used to get here. Some of funny, I should do a post o that some day. :) Many of them have to do with the color pink, of course.
DeleteThank you for the nice words.
Well done! And a question. I love how you are staring reality down. Does it bother you when people say you can beat this? (I'm sure they mean it), or does it help your mental/physical reinforcements? I am as broke as a joke, but I live in Novato, and would LOVE to treat you to a steroid fulled lunch and a town car driver for the day. I've lived in NoCal my entire life and have never been close to Sacramento. We could do the town! Thoughts?
ReplyDeletePurrs from Diana
Diana, good question! I have to say that personally, I am not upset at much people say to me; the only thing that bothers me is when I don't understand what they want or expect in an answer. I'm used to giving advice so if they are just dumping on me, I'll probably tell them something useful, and a few get mad because they were just complaining, which confuses me.
DeleteHowever, in general, if you have told somebody you have a life-ending illness and they tell you they can beat it, I don't feel that is helpful. It sounds like they aren't listening or acknowledging reality. So instead of giving that kind of encouragement, I suggest they say stuff like "I'm really sorry, I'm here for you to talk to any time you want" or "I know that you are in for a rough time but I would love to bring you a meal if you are up to it" or even an "I'll be thinking about you/praying for you" is fine. The "you can beat it" - well, we hear it a lot and it is a denial of what we are facing. Essentially, it means I don't want to/can't bear to hear the truth. Usually they have no real medical statistics to back up their belief with and so are just ignoring what has been said.
All those "yous" and "theys" - I hope I was clear!
Novato - no wonder you want to come to Sacramento, the Big City. LOL. :) I appreciate the offer but if you are broke I don't want to take up more of your dollars and also I'm finding my days are so full right now (all that sleeping) that it would be difficult. When you don't get up until afternoon (way after lunch, having to pick up your kid and then want to finish a chore, then need a nap, by the time that's done it's night. It is hard to imagine going out although a town car sounds absolutely wonderful and I used to know every place in this town to go - it's a foodie paradise which most people don't know!. It's so kind of you to offer, thank you so much, and if you mean it, offer again when school is out because my son will be doing a summer program across the country and I'll be lost! And I can't let myself sleep all day and all night.
Thank you, Diana, that was so kind. *hugs*
Way to go, Ann! I always look forward to reading whatever you have to say. I find your honesty, candor and willingness to tackle just about any topic quite refreshing. So yes, on to 2 million!
ReplyDeleteno it is YOU who should be thanked for getting me through many a dark night of the soul
ReplyDeleteah.....so sorry about your dark nights. They are there, yes. But I am thrilled I could help. *hugs*
Deletenot surprising at all ann...I look forward to your blog posts as do the other 999,999 readers! even in the midst of this awful disease/treatments you manage to always inject such wonderful humor in your writing - thank you for continually updating us, it must be so hard when you are feeling so unwell-
ReplyDeletepraying for better days ahead
roz from her2support.org
Thank you Roz, wonderful to see you!
DeleteDitto to all of the above. Love your attitude, love your candor, love your style. I'll be reading your posts and wishing you well. - Jill
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Jill.
DeleteWell done !nn
ReplyDeleteI am in Iceland and I have been following your blog. I have Limphona Hodkins
B. cells and I am okey :)
Gerður in Iceland :)
Wow, a reader in Iceland! That is awesome. I am hoping the best for you as you deal with lymphoma and I hope that you are okay for a long, long time. *hugs*
DeleteCongrats and looking forward to 2 million views! My mother had breast cancer and is remission now. I'm the host of Functional Fitness on PBS TV and designed Cancer Therapy, a physical therapy program to help people improve their energy, release stress and improve body functions.
ReplyDeleteIts available for instant download if you're interested.
http://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Therapy/dp/B00C0DZ1KO
Healthiest blessings,
Suzanne Andrews
Now, ladies and gents, I normally delete this type of post as I believe that people should ask me before promoting their own thing on my blog. However, I am going to let this slide (once) because I do think fitness post-breast cancer is very important. My shoulders have not, and clearly won't, recover after my mastectomy and that was about 4 years ago. If I had known it was a potential side effect and gotten right on it maybe I'd have an easier time.
DeleteSo, newly diagnosed, do not ignore this part of your recovery. I think doing a little PT should be part of everybody's cancer treatment. Breasts are not just something hanging around doing nothing, they are a structural part of your body you wouldn't amputate anything else from your body without a program designed to manage what you lost. Why breasts?
I know nothing about this show so not endorsing it but I am absolutely endorsing the idea that women need to focus on their physical health post-mastectomy.
So, it stays. :)