A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Amazon UK and Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

October 21, 2010

I was telling my mom on the way to dance today about how I find it so “funny” that people I don’t even know are buying my book. I realize that that is what is supposed to happen, but it’s still a mind-boggling concept. I received a beautiful message today on my Facebook page from a lovely woman who is fighting her battle with cancer right now. She told me that her brother bought my book for her. It was evident from her note that she is a wonderful writer. It’s hard for me to put into words how I feel about what she told me. All I can say is that her words made me grateful for every single drop of blood, sweat, tears, and chemo that it took to create my book. I am humbled by how God can use utterly horrid events and turn them into something that can help others.

Only God.

I would like to share the very first review for Grace on Amazon.UK:

A truly engaging and uplifting book eloquently and powerfully written with complete honesty and humour by a most courageous young lady. A book of words which do not hide the struggles cancer brought into her life but also words of hope, joy and absolute love. A book whose words left an imprint on my heart, whose words made me both laugh out loud and cry but above all reminded me what it is like to live life with my heart. It is more than a book, it is a gift of lessons to us all.

Made my mom cry happy tears:):):)

One more thing I just have to share… I keep telling you what a caring and kind person Jeff Foxworthy is. Here is proof:)

 Thanks Ellen!

http://su.pr/1x117l

Giggle! So funny Ellen, and way to go on the whole patience thing Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!!

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BookPageXTRA Ad for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

October 19, 2010

Happy Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to share with you this BookPageXTRA ad for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery.

BookPageXTRA Ad:

http://bit.ly/b3rcbm

I am looking forward to sharing at an expressive writing class tomorrow afternoon for cancer survivors called Lifeline. Susan, the lovely woman who teaches this class, extended this invitation a couple of months ago. It seemed like it was so far off when she invited me, but lo and behold, time flies once again! This will be great fun to not only be with survivors (I call these folks “My People”,) but also to be able to share the process of writing and creating Grace.

I had asked Bryan at Greenleaf a few months ago if I could keep the first page proofs. For some reason, they had to keep them for awhile, but last week, I received them. I will love adding these to my collection of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery  building blocks. I plan to bring my spiral notebooks with all of the scribbles that my mom deciphered and typed into book form. I plan on bringing the very first proof copy of my first edition of  Grace.  And then, I have to bring an ARC…. oh, and also I should bring the eight different cover designs Greenleaf designed for me to choose from.

I think I better get out a big box and start piling these things in it!

Grace has Arrived!

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Amy Grant and Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

October 17, 2010

Hi everybody:) Do you like my new WordPress “look?”

I am feeling very colorful these days!!!!!!!!

Last night, a new-found friend whose name is Karen handed Amy Grant a copy of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery  at a “Meet-and-Greet” backstage after her concert. Karen’s son is fighting cancer for the third time, and she– like me– is on a mission to get help for children with cancer. Every drop of awareness and every drop of our efforts will gather together in a river that will lead to an ocean of hope. It makes me think of a quote from my book:

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.

– Chinese Proverb

And so…

We will keep on stepping.

And stepping

And stepping

With people like Dr. Joshua Schiffman receiving new grants for research, and with dedicated people like Karen who “step” daily, we will reach our goal of eradicating childhood cancer (and all cancer) from the face of this planet.

I believe.

 

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Max Nunn

Can you imagine needing a medicine for your child that is the last resort? Imagine that everything possible has been done for your child, but there is this one drug that just might offer hope? Would you do everything possible to get that medicine for your child?

Max Nunn is that child and his family and his friends are doing everthing possible to help him.

http://maxnunn.wordpress.com/

Please read this story and do whatever you can to help Max.

Guess what?

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery is #45 on the:

Amazon Bestseller in Living with Cancer & Other Illnesses:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/759250/ref=pd_ts_pg_3?ie=UTF8&pg=3

What I pray is that my story will help children like Max. Why does there have to be so much “red tape” and rules and regulations when we are talking about the life of a child?

Cut the tape. Get Max what he needs. If his parents and doctors want this, no one and no thing should stand in the way.

On your team, Max.

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Oprah Please Do A Show on Childhood Cancer FB Page Hits 35,328

October 14, 2010

Will you be the one who makes the page show 35,329 “Likes”?

http://bit.ly/br6Mrg

There are rumblings… the media is beginning to take notice. I wonder how many local  news stories will have to air before national stories air and then, finally, I wonder when Oprah will hear about our plea. I wonder what her response will be when she hears it. Please help all of us who are passionate about helping children with cancer to grow this Facebook page.

My time speaking with a cancer support group today at Hearst Cancer Resource Center was uplifting for me. When I meet survivors, I am always struck by their enthusisam for life. It never fails. What we all share with each other goes far beyond chit chat to a whole new level of awareness. Survivors are seriously amazing people. If you know a survivor, have they inspired you to “go for the gusto” in life? Have they taught you that each day is a gift we are given and taught you how we can choose to share our daily gift?

Can you see God’s light shining straight from their spirit?

I can. Thank you God.

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Hearst Cancer Resource Center

October 13, 2010

San Luis Obispo has a wonderful cancer resource center located right next to French Hospital. I have been told that before the Hearst Cancer Resource Center was established, there was no place in the area for support groups to meet. Tomorrow, I’m scheduled to share with a Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma Group. Each time I have the opportunity to speak with cancer survivors, I am blessed by what they have to share with me. Funny how that works.

I visited the Hearst Cancer Resource Center once before (I dropped off a copy of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery:)) Those who have created this special place for survivors have put a lot of thought, care, time and money into it. How touching it is that there are people and organizations that care… and they do something to show they care!

Talking with Mom on the way to dance today, the subject of meeting with the support group tomorrow came up. Our conversation came around to how there is no such thing as follow-up support groups for children who are cancer survivors. No such thing. At least not anywhere near where I live. I would imagine the follow-up support needs for children are much different from those of an adult.

I heard something the other day that broke my heart in two. A nine-year old girl named Abbey, who is growing her hair back that she lost due to chemo treatments, is mercilessly teased at school about her hair. Wish I could have just a few words with her tormenters. Children recovering from cancer treatments need support too. Lots and lots of support.

One more reason why I need to keep raising awareness…

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Snowy and Oreo

October 12, 2010

On my tenth birthday, my parents had my brothers and I pile into the car and we headed north. I remember wondering where we were going, and when we passed by the beach and kept going toward San Luis Obispo, they really threw me for a loop. I had no idea what was happening.

Even when we pulled up in front of Woods Humane Society, I couldn’t imagine where we were or what we were doing there. It wasn’t until we walked into the building that I realized I was going to get to pick out two kittens to take home with me! There were quite a few kittens to choose from and one immediately caught my attention. She was mostly black with white paws and a white belly. I call her Oreo because she has a belly that looks like it is creme filling:)

I looked around more and found a pure white kitty. I named this kitty Snowy– for obvious reasons! At first, these two “sisters” slept curled up together, but as they have grown older, they have each developed their own unique personalities and they don’t do any more cuddling. Oreo is calm, cool, quite suave, and loves staying out all night. Snowy is loud (her meows at the door are deafening,) crabby, and cute– what a combo, huh?! She guards the food bowl and chases Oreo off. If she sees that Oreo has come inside, she becomes crazy jealous and bites Oreo’s tail when she comes back outside.

One thing that Oreo and Snowy both have in common is that they both love our dog, Larry. Snowy, when she sees Larry, will gurgle some wild, drawn-out sound, run to Larry and jam her head next to his. Oreo purrs when she sees him, licks his head and rubs her head against his. Pets can be so entertaining. I could watch Snowy’s antics all day long. She certainly has issues!

One more thing: Amazon.com now has a Look Inside Feature and all of the endorsements listed for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery:)

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Intimate-Journey-Through-Recovery/dp/0984271201/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275713324&sr=8-2

Love this!

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Mel Majors and EmpowerRadio Interview

October 9, 2010

How are you doing this lovely day– at least here on the Central Coast of California!

I am grateful to be living in paradise today:) Mel Majors has posted the podcast of the interview we did together this past Wednesday. I enjoyed talking with Mel; there is something very cool about answering questions that are formulated by a survivor. She has a great sense of humor, and it makes me wonder if she has always been witty or if it is chemo-induced! Just kidding Mel. I will be looking forward to that book you are going to write:):):)

 http://www.empoweradio.com/home/shows/cancer-warrior/367-The-Cancer-Warrior.html

Chemistry test today went well, danced at school today, dancing tonight… life is great, isn’t it?!

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Yesterday and Children for LIVESTRONG

October 4, 2010

What a great day yesterday! Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by– I loved seeing you and you will be happy to know that we raised lots of money to fight cancer:):):) Awesome!

Becca, I want to thank you for your amazing Emcee job. And Emily, you stepped in out of nowhere and gathered lots of folks to enter the drawing! Cindy, your guitar and harp and beautiful voice added everything. Meghan, Hannah and Teagan, you did a great job with the bake sale; thanks so much for all your time and effort. Becca, your Teddy Bear cupcakes were absolutely adorable!

Sheila from the House of Bread, those cinnamon rolls were delicious; we appreciate your donation for our bake sale very, very much:)

Thank you to the Dutton family and Let’s Party! for the huge bouquet of  yellow balloons! As we cleaned up and began snipping them from their spots throughout the area, we gave them to children passing by and their faces– oh my gosh– you made some children very happy and you made me happy too!

Thank you to Layla from Dolphin Bay Resort for donating Brunch for Two at the Award-Winning Lido Restaurant for our drawing and to Bud Johnson (Hi Poppy– love you!) and Monarch Dunes Golf Resort for donating a Golf Package for 4 with cart. Thank you to Ms. Metchik and Nipomo High School Drama Department for donating 8 tickets to “Nunsense,” Mr. Rodrigues for the adorable Mini BBQ that I wanted to win–but didn’t– to John and Linda Thunen for the wine, to Mr. Claverie for the donation of original pottery pieces, to Peggi Carlock & Ron’s Nursery for the figurine,  to Lyn Moreno for the handmade quilt and table runner, to Gwyn Kelly for the candle centerpiece, and to Yoga Centre for donating lessons to three winners.

Finally, thank you to Mr. Hubbell, Mrs. Furakawa, and the NHS Key Club for your enthusiastic support and dedication to make this event a successful fundraiser. Mr. Hubbell, somehow I know that Lance would be so, so pleased if he knew how you came along beside me in this project and truly lent a helping hand. I am grateful. I am really, really grateful to all of you.

I just realized that I didn’t ride one of the Blender Bikes that Jamba Juice had set up… seemed like lots of fun.

I told Mom on the way home yesterday that Children for LIVESTRONG is going to be so big next year, we’re going to need Mission Plaza!

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Publication Day for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

October 2, 2010

Today is not just like any other day. Sprinkled throughout my normal activities of the day were spurts. You know what I’m talking about! I went to school today like any other weekday, and I went to dance today, like every day of the week, but one– but there were moments when Grace popped into my mind and the spurts gushed forth. They were quite robust I might add:)

I think back to those scribbles in my spiral notebooks that I began just to be able to write. I have always loved writing. Writing was healing to me at that time, and I began filling those notebooks. 

As I was asked to speak and share my story more and more, I realized my story could help people. My mom, God bless her, began typing the 90,000 words that filled those spiral notebooks. I love you Mom… this day would not be without you.

And Matt… there really aren’t any words, so I will say, “Thank you. I will pass it on.”

And Greenleaf Book Group… Hobbs, and Bryan, and Sheila, and Linda, and Jenn, and Kristen, and Katelynn… and Clint:)…  you guys are the best. It has been an honor and a true blessing to work with you.

 And God…  thank you for this blessing of my life. Thank you for this opportunity to share the firsthand voice of what a child with cancer experiences. Thank you for the blessings for your dearly loved children that I know You have planned.

 I love you!

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