A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Childhood Cancer Survivor’

Greenleaf Book Group and Grace

I am a researcher. Before launching myself into this book-creating process, I learned as much as I could about many aspects of publishing. There are so many options that it can be overwhelming trying to sort everything out in order to make good decisions. I am extremely fortunate to have had a mentor named Matt who placed many options in front of me that I could investigate. He never told me what he thought would be best for me and my book, but instead he described the options with the pros and cons. I cannot say how much I appreciate what he has done.

It’s funny that many people think that they have to tell someone what to do in order to be helpful. Actually, I prefer the “Matt Method,” because everyone is different. What I want for my book will be different from what you want (okay, we all want “best-sellers”!!!!!!!) 

As I hold one of the very first books of mine– hot off the press– I can’t help feeling gratitude. I am grateful to God for my life! I am grateful to my mom for typing over 90,000 words that compose my book. I am grateful to Matt for lighting the Greenleaf Option. I am grateful to Greenleaf Book  Group for allowing me to work alongside their incredibly talented, caring, and fun folks to make Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery just how I wanted it. I am grateful to Gramma and Poppy for their love and support for my project that was born straight from my heart. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my heart with readers.

Grace is in my hands right now, but it feels like “she” will always remain in my heart.

Category:

1, About the Author, Excerpts

Tagged with:

Dr. Maya Angelou and PULSE on Tour

What does Melinda have to say today about Dr. Maya Angelou?

Yes, I have posted before about Dr. Angelou. I have great admiration for her writing, and even more admiration for the person she is. I love to hear her recite her own work. For these reasons, and more, I used one of her quotes in my book. (Not going to tell you which one– hee hee!) 

Since I used one of her quotes, I felt that the very least I could do would be to send her a copy of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery.

Guess what? Dr. Maya Angelou sent me a beautiful thank you note. I am so happy to know that she received it, and this kind expression of gratitude makes me think even more of her. Isn’t it inspiring to communicate with people who have integrity and class?! I imagine that Dr. Angelou receives many gifts, but she takes the time to show her gratitude.

Sadly, writing thank you cards is becoming a lost art. Speaking of arts…

Do you ever watch “So You Think You Can Dance?” I’m sure this will come as a big surprise– I love the show! This weekend, I will travel to Los Angeles to dance my little feet and heart out for three days at PULSE on Tour. There is an incredible organization called Children’s Cancer Recovery that has given me a scholarship to attend and I am so excited, I feel that I just may pop!  Mia Michaels is one of the choreographers I will be learning from. Oh my gosh!

Remembering all of those days where I was too sick to dance makes me grateful on top of grateful that I can attend PULSE–and most of all– grateful that my body will let me dance!

DANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Category:

1, About the Author, Excerpts

Tagged with:

International Charter of Rights

Are you familiar with Matthew Zachary? How about “I’m Too Young for This?” I have to tell you that they are doing one amazing job of giving everything they have to help young people (15-40) with cancer. Now, they are working together with other organizations, like LIVESTRONG, to create an International Charter of Rights for young people with cancer. Young people face many different challenges when confronted with cancer than those who are older.

For one… it takes much longer for young people to get a diagnosis and many times, we are misdiagnosed. Very unfortunately, as most everyone knows, this means that their cancer spreads further. I can personally connect with this. It took nearly four months of going to the doctor every week (and having her look at my mom and I like we were out of our ever-loving minds!) and my mom had to stand her ground and demand tests before I finally received my diagnosis. Four months. Four months!

Imagine how much cancer can spread in four months!

In the meantime, I was slowly suffocating. I realize this is not my doctor’s fault.

And I am not the only one. I care about the others.

Here comes the easy part…  this will only take a moment to show your care.

Please sign the charter. You may save someone’s life. 

Thank you i2y Stupid Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust, CanTeen, LIVESTRONG,  and SeventyK.!

I love my life!

 www.cancercharter.org

Category:

1, About the Author, Excerpts

Tagged with:

New LIVESTRONG Spot

Oh my gosh… this makes me think of all of the survivors… and everyone who did not survive. It makes me think of how, even when we are alone, we are strengthened by the love and care we share.

It makes me grateful for everyone who is giving it their all to leave this world a better place. Yes– a world without cancer is absolutely a much better place.

Where’s my bike?????????????????

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FcmxG2q&h=0e710EDxtzh6_5kDszLd_xKuYdA

Category:

1, About the Author, Excerpts

Tagged with:

Memoir Writing Class

I had the pleasure of speaking with a group of people today who are taking a memoir writing class. It strikes me that the more opportunities that I have to connect with authors, the more I realize how important it is for us to do this. Writing is such a solitary existence– the human-ness in us needs the bonds.

Not only do we benefit from the “love bonds” between us, but there is always, always something new that we can learn from one another. There is no such thing as “smarter” or “better,’ but only our willingness to share the uniqueness of our lives and ourselves with each other. Seriously, when we learn something of value, we need to pass it on. I guess that the challenge is to look within ourselves to find exactly what that is that we have to share.

I realize, being only sixteen years old, that I do not have the wisdom and insights that others who have been on this Earth a long time have. The more I learn, the more I learn that I have bunches to learn. Maybe, because I am only sixteen, I just might have an insight to some things in life that my older counterparts would not recognize. Maybe, just maybe, I have something to share of value.

Actually, everyone has something of value to share. Our job is to find it– and give it away.

Category:

1, About the Author, Excerpts

Tagged with:

Artist Nat Fast

I met a warm, sparkly-eyed man when I was four. I met him at PCPA Theaterfest when my brother, Dean, was a young performer in the play “The King & I.” He would sit backstage, or in the voms, and he would create amazing drawings from what he observed. And every time I would see him, his eyes lit up with love, and his calm and gentle voice would ask me how I was.

Well, twelve years have passed, and I am still friends with Nat Fast. My brothers and I are beyond those Young Performer days at PCPA, but I have this incredible treasure of friendship with Nat that will live on forever. I am always touched by the gift he has to be able to draw and paint with seriously amazing talent.  

Guess what I get to do after dance tonight? I am going to see a show of Nat’s work.

What a blessing to have Nat’s friendship (and art) in my life!  Go hug an artist!

Category:

1, About the Author, Posts from the Author

Tagged with:

Revealing the Identity of Someone #2

It seems like many moons have passed since I quizzed you on who you think might be Someone #1… and then I compounded the puzzle by adding Someone #2.

Don’t you love guessing games?

Here come the clues:

Someone #2 is a best-selling author, television host extraordinaire, founder of Cassidy’s Place, Cody’s House and Association to Benefit Children, and someone who cares deeply about children. I am deeply honored, and more grateful than my words can say, to tell you that I received a beautiful endorsement from Kathie Lee Gifford for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery.

I imagine that Ms. Gifford has a schedule that keeps her flying swiftly about her life.  Then, someone like me comes along who requests her time and attention. Just knowing that she took the time to look at my book makes me so happy. It lets me know that there are people who truly care about changing lives for the better… even people who are very successful.

It seems to me that being successful means greater responsibility. Success is a blessing. We then have the responsibility to use what we have to help others. Yes, we need to be excellent stewards.  Life is short. We have so much we can give, and nothing feels better than giving.

Thank you Someone #2!  Miss Kathie Lee Gifford, you touch my heart with your gift to me and other cancer survivors. You motivate me to be generous, and you have given me a master lesson in stewardship.

Category:

1, About the Author, Posts from the Author

Tagged with:

Relay yesterday, Johnny Tan Interview Tomorrow

Relay for Life this past weekend was awesome! Our team, Team Trilogy, raised over $17,000 for the American Cancer Society, and all of the Arroyo Grande teams together raised $93,000! It is remarkable to see what all of these dedicated people do– it is truly God’s work. The feeling of love that surrounds this whole event is something I wish for all of you to experience. Consider joining a team next year. You will truly make a difference and what you receive in your heart will be so much more than what you give from your time and your wallet. Trust me. I speak the truth.

Tomorrow morning, at 8am PST, I will be talking with Johnny Tan:

http://www.frommymamaskitchentalkradio.com/blog/2010/06/25/melinda-marchiano-author-of-%e2%80%9cgrace-a-child%e2%80%99s-intimate-journey-though-cancer-and-recovery-%e2%80%9d/

I would love to have you call in with questions at 347-327-9995. Life is always more fun and more rewarding when we do it together. Please join me!

Category:

1, About the Author, Posts from the Author

Tagged with:

Foreign Publication Rights

Part of the thrill of creating and marketing my book is the joy I have from meeting many people I never would have met. Another unexpected part of the thrill is that I get to learn something new every day about publishing. I am not sure where, but I have heard of the term “foreign rights” before and never thought too much about it.

Today, I am thinking much more about it than ever. We received news today that there is interest in foreign publication rights for Grace. I am imagining Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery translated into German and Korean. I am imagining Grace in bookstores on the other side of the world, and this tickles me to giggles. In my most hopeful dreams, my written words would be able to help people who are suffering here in our country. I never, ever imagined that my words might travel to other countries to help people there. But, isn’t this exactly how God works? He loves us so much that He finds a way to help us– even when we are utterly clueless. Wow.

Tomorrow is Relay for Life day in Arroyo Grande, California… hometown of Zac Efron, and also home of highly dedicated and loving people working their tails off to make cancer to take a long walk off a short pier. Thank you to everyone who has given their time in their own hometowns to Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back! Tomorrow is going to be awesome!

Category:

1, About the Author, Posts from the Author

Tagged with:

LIVESTRONG Dedication Pages

Did you know that LIVESTRONG is creating the World’s Largest Dedication Book?

LIVESTRONG Action will present the book to world leaders to impress upon them the immediate attention we need to place toward finding a cure for the global epidemic, cancer. My mom and I are both dedicated to helping others with cancer and to doing all that we can to help find a cure. I am grateful for all that Lance Armstrong and the people at LIVESTRONG are doing to move toward this goal.

Gosh, I feel so loved. My mom wrote a dedication page for me:

http://www.livestrongaction.org/dedication/melinda-marchiano

It just takes a moment to sign my page, and each dedication and each signature will tell our world leaders how vitally important it is that we act now.

Can you guess who Signer #16 is?!!!!!!!  Giggle. Giggle.

Each week, someone I did not know before contacts me to tell me that they are battling cancer. I believe that nearly everyone who will read this post has been touched by cancer in some way. (Some of us have been “hammered” rather than “touched”!)  Let’s all do what we can… working together creates amazing results.

Imagine the result being the cure for cancer. Yes… I will not give up until this happens!

P.S. Please click this link– take a moment to make a difference!  Even better yet, create a page for someone you love.

Category:

1, About the Author, Posts from the Author

Tagged with: