Laura Parisi King
DEAR CANCER is a book of inspiration and comfort that will make the reader laugh, cry, and see adversity in a new light.
The author shares her true story of living with stage IV breast cancer from the shock of diagnosis to the rigors of chemotherapy and other treatments.
Written with honesty, sensitivity and humor, DEAR CANCER will support and encourage anyone who is confronted by cancer, or any life-changing illness, or event.
DEAR CANCER touches EVERY emotion from extreme sadness and rage, to joy and gratitude.
It is a gift you must give to your body, mind and soul.
Laura Parisi King is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She is the author of GRANDA, a young adult novel about stereotypes and self-discovery. Her short stories have appeared in LISTEN Magazine. Laura has been a contributor to COPING Magazine, a creative writing instructor, and a columnist for the newsletter TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF CANCER. She has been interviewed on radio and television, and she has been the guest speaker in schools in New York and Florida.
In October 2002, Laura was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. Her positive attitude and inspirational writings have helped support and encourage people with cancer and other life-changing events.
That night I finally cried.
I sat on the couch with my husbands arms around me, and my arms around a box of tissues. I cried out all of the unfairness, all of the fear, and all of the uncertainty. I cried until I had no tears left. I felt exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I was tired of hurting. I was tired of talking about this stupid disease. And I was tired of saying prayers that I wasn't sure anyone was hearing.
One of the most painful aspects of dealing with this disease was seeing how my bad news affected other people. I knew it wasn't my fault that I had cancer. I knew that no one saw it as my fault. Yet I couldn't help but feel guilty for the pain that I imagined I was causing. I thought about my husband, my parents, my friends, my siblings and my nieces and nephews. I didn't want to bring sadness into their lives, yet there was nothing I could do to stop it. When I shared these thoughts with my husband, he would remind me that I wasn't a villain in this, I was a victim. Still, it was difficult to relate the news of my cancer to others, hear the pain in their voices, and feel that I was the cause of their pain.
The most tearful moments were those spent reading letters and e-mails from friends expressing their love for me. I was overwhelmed by their compassion and tenderness. It made me realize that even though cancer was taking so much from me, it was giving me something in return. My experience with cancer was giving me a stronger connection to the very life it was threatening to take away.
DEAR CANCER,
YOU HAVE TRIED TO BREAK MY SPIRIT.
YET BECAUSE OF YOU I AM MORE SPIRITUAL THAN EVER BEFORE.
YOU HAVE TRIED TO SHAKE MY FAITH.
YET MY FAITH IS STRONGER THAN EVER.
YOU HAVE TRIED TO UPSET MY RELATIONSHIPS.
YET THEY CONTINUE TO FLOURISH IN SPITE OF YOU.
YOU HAVE TRIED TO TURN MY LIFE UPSIDE DOWN.
ok, you got me on that one.
