Not much bonds people together like shared experience. And not much feels more supportive through a life challenge than knowing someone else can relate to it. Now friends, there is a tangible way to make that happen for any woman who has to survive through a cancer diagnosis.

I’m excited to share that my story has been published… in an actual book! It’s part of a collection of essays written by 37 cancer survivors. My friend, Terese Gavin, who is also a survivor, let me know back in 2017 that she heard about this project and suggested that I look into it. (Terese, I’ll forever be grateful to you for this.)

The project was started by Marquina Iliev-Piselli, a breast cancer survivor who is known for her approach to treatment through “glam chemo”. She was looking for stories of other women who got through cancer treatment in creative ways, so I submitted to the project to share how I used this Facebook group and blog to connect with people and share my story.

Thankfully, Marquina chose my story to be added to the collection, and worked hard to get it off the ground and onto actual pages.

I’m so excited and proud to be a part of this. I feel like it’s exactly what people need when they are diagnosed, going through treatment, or if they know someone doing those because it’s 37 different perspectives on what that experience is really like. Each of us also included our own “best advice” that is honest and inspiring… even as I read others’ advice long after my own treatment is over.

Listen, we’re all human trying to get through tough stuff. So if you know someone who is diagnosed, or in the middle of treatment, I’d suggest sharing this book with them. Not because my story is in it, but because there’s not much more valuable than realizing you’re sharing your experience with 37 other not-so-strangers-anymore from around the country.

I’ve often said about 2017: Though I was more surrounded and supported than ever, I had never felt so alone. If I had this book at the time, those feelings would likely not had been so strong. These women sharing their stories that include all the messy feelings of fear, hope, anger, confusion, and faith- they all give survivors the invaluable support of shared experience.

Here is the link to the book on Amazon. It’s a best seller since it was released.  It means people are reading it. And knowing that people are reading our stories gives purpose to our own struggles.

TOUGH: Women Who Survived Cancer https://www.amazon.com/dp/173303420X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_CviPDbR37ZJD6