Table 6.

Did blogging change how one deals with the challenges of chronic illness or pain?

Themes identified	Quotes
Theme 4.1: Reframing/ability to gain broader perspective on illness	“Mostly the writing helps me see possibilities open to me. I am more active as a patient in the direction of my own care.” “It has helped me to process information and be more objective, which is often helpful.” “It helps me get perspective on my own situation in a way I didn’t expect.”
Theme 4.2: Identifying patterns of illness	“It has made me more aware of issues I had not considered. By keeping a log, I can pick up patterns I may have missed.” “I find it easier to identify triggers and patterns.”
Theme 4.3: Expressive outlet	“It has become an online journal where I have an outlet to discuss what I am feeling, emotionally and physically and it has helped my friends and family be kept up to date on things.”
	“Starting my blog has given me an outlet to express myself, and since I have started my blog I feel better about myself.”
	“Much needed infusion of positive energy.”
Theme 4.4: Support and feedback	“It has helped me enormously—processing and rationalizing, sharing and having feedback and support.” “It made me feel more connected to people, especially when I met people on Twitter and Tumblr that I could talk to about my chronic illness.” “I have met others with my condition or a similar one, learned about both ideas for coping with and the potential progression of my conditions, and developed great networks to connect people with common conditions.” “It’s helped me realize that I’m not alone.”
Theme 4.5: Accountability	“I felt it made me more accountable to follow up on things with my doctors because I knew people would ask about them.”
	“I am a much more informed patient and I’m also much more comfortable talking to others about diabetes. I no longer feel so isolated.”
	“Writing a blog has made me more aware of my habits and also more accountable. Additionally, I have been able to look at the positive aspects of dealing with illness largely because of my blogging and the opportunities it has created for me.”
Theme 4.6: Ability to cope with illness	“Helped me cope with the anxiety.” “It makes a positive impact on my ability to deal with my care.” “It’s actually made me realize that my illness is impacting my life less than I had imagined.”