This is an announcement I never thought I would make, but here I am, alive, and making it! My major cancer surgery was five years ago today. Today I break out my favourite Scotch. Today I raise a glass to my treating physicians. Today I dance a jig. Today I lie face down on the ground in supplication and gratitude. I feel the memory of that time - swinging between love and fear like a novice on a trapeze. Today, it feels like I have swung onto the platform.
I am not technically a five-year survivor until the anniversary of my last treatment (next April), but I am still happy to acknowledge this milestone.
I have another happy announcement to make. The Cancer Olympics has acquired another award! It was a Readers’ Favorite 2015 Award Finalist in the Grief/Hardship category. I did not make the medals in this contest, but I console myself with the calibre of the competition. The Gold Medal winner in the Health category is a lifetime journalist who was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. So I am reasonably chuffed by my outcome. Readers’ Favorite reviewed the book as having “flawless prose” and “deft narration” and describing it as “a must-read for everyone,” so I am content.
My father died last week. He was 90 years of age. I remain raw, wistful, and drained. Grief is so exhausting. But among my feelings of thanks today is gratitude for my Dad himself. I dedicated The Cancer Olympics to him and to my late mother. Poor Dad was never able to read my book, but I know his younger self would have been so proud of what we accomplished – better and safer cancer care.
And now for that Scotch…
The Cancer Olympics is available from Amazon and Indigo. Buying from the FriesenPress Bookstore maximizes the donation to cancer support programs.
I have another happy announcement to make. The Cancer Olympics has acquired another award! It was a Readers’ Favorite 2015 Award Finalist in the Grief/Hardship category. I did not make the medals in this contest, but I console myself with the calibre of the competition. The Gold Medal winner in the Health category is a lifetime journalist who was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. So I am reasonably chuffed by my outcome. Readers’ Favorite reviewed the book as having “flawless prose” and “deft narration” and describing it as “a must-read for everyone,” so I am content.
My father died last week. He was 90 years of age. I remain raw, wistful, and drained. Grief is so exhausting. But among my feelings of thanks today is gratitude for my Dad himself. I dedicated The Cancer Olympics to him and to my late mother. Poor Dad was never able to read my book, but I know his younger self would have been so proud of what we accomplished – better and safer cancer care.
And now for that Scotch…
The Cancer Olympics is available from Amazon and Indigo. Buying from the FriesenPress Bookstore maximizes the donation to cancer support programs.
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