Chemo Cat by Cathy Nilon
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Chemo Cat
" I think I was saddest by far and sometimes would shout
or just sit on the floor and cry my eyes out"
"Nilon, now 46 and a breast cancer survivor, has created Chemo Cat ($9.95, Ravenna Press), a heart-wrenching, but ultimately uplifting story of her family's cancer journey, told in the voice of her son. Luca and Mama cat, a k a Cat-Cat, are a family of cats who take you through their thoughts and emotions - the highs and the deepest lows - of that difficult period. Chemo Cat is poignant for the mere fact that it's so real. When you see cancer's ravages through the eyes of the young - who have to figure out why Mama's hair has fallen out and why she throws up all the time and why she can't play with him like she used to - it becomes all the more unfathomable. Says Luca in the book: "I was saddest by far and sometimes would shout; or just sit on my floor and cry my eyes out. I was tired of kids who had healthier moms..."-South Florida Sun -Sentinel by Kavita Varma-White |
Shirley Mae and me
Chemo Cat is dedicated to her, she was my angel at diagnosis -full of advice and hope; now as she struggles with recurrence -her outlook is even sunnier than ever. I am honored to know her.
"Don't count the days -Make the days count"- Shirley's motto - she walks the walk and talks the talk-
Live to your fullest while you can -and don't let one single minute go by without having acknowledged our blessings. Her biggest fear she told me half joking was that she would outlive her money...she is having such a good time traveling and spending time with her family. She made me laugh until I snorted; forcing me to forget that this disease usually makes people want to cry.
She should take her show on the road- what an incredible attitude. I have definitely learned so much from Shirley I can't even begin to put my gratitude into words. I know I am not alone as she has mentored so many women through this disease.
Blessings and love to Shirley Mae and her family.
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