Every year in October I am reminded that it is Breast Cancer
Awareness month. As a survivor of
twenty-six years, I still remember that sense of absolute fear when I was told
the news of my diagnosis at 39.
Especially as a mother of two young children, worried that I might not
see them grow up.
And when I was diagnosed 15 years later it was even more of
a shock, because I’d conveniently forgotten that once you are a member of the
Cancer Club, your membership never expires.
In 2005 mine was reactivated.
That fear never really leaves you and it bubbles to the
surface with every check up. But at least today, there are more resources
to support women (and men) who have been diagnosed.
I know that for sure because through my newly formed
publishing company, I have three books on breast cancer coming to
fruition. Each is very different, but in
its own way, will hopefully provide
information, inspiration and support to families impacted by this disease.
The first is One Loop
at a Time – A story of rug-hooking, healing and creativity by Meryl
Cook. Hailing from Nova Scotia, Meryl
used her rug hooking to demonstrate her emotions as she went through her cancer
treatments. Each rug is beautifully
photographed in the book, with her poems and descriptions of how she felt every
step of the way. It’s a feel good book.
Next came Debbie Kerr’s book – When Cancer Takes Flight! in which she takes the reader on her cancer
journey, providing useful information and resources so that fellow passengers
on this trip, can know in some way what to expect and how humour – and Debbie
has it in spades – can make all the difference.
Last but no means least, we have Riding Shotgun, written by Don Kerr from the male perspective of
what it was like being the caregiver when his wife was diagnosed with and
treated for breast cancer, especially with two young sons. Not much is written or available for men in
the caregiver situation and Don’s book eloquently describes his struggles and
gratitude that they all survived.
All three books will be coming out in late November/early
December. I applaud them all for their
courage to tell their stories, and the wisdom they are willing to share with
others.
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