Cathy Nilon

Breast Cancer Survivor Creates Children's Book to Help Families Cope with Illness
By: Abbey McGee
The Journal-Newspapers

10/02/2007

"As her son played quietly in the other room, Cathy Nilon received the phone call that would change her life.

When the words breast cancer reached her ears, Nilon's mind went blank. "I didn't know what to do with the information," she explained. "I was so scared. I couldn't imagine my son growing up without a mom."

After the initial shock subsided, Nilon began searching for a way to explain to her four-year-old son, Luca, what was happening. "I looked everywhere to try and find something that would explain why mommy was sick and losing her hair, but there was nothing appropriate," she said.

Nilon, of Edmonds, authored and illustrated a meaningful story that will help children understand the cancer experience. The sketches that granted her reprieve during her chemotherapy treatments blossomed into a story that will benefit other suffering families.

In Chemo Cat, Nilon chronicles the painful journey of her family, told in the voice of her son. Using thoughtful words and illustrations, Nilon shares the story of Luca, Mama and Daddy Cat, taking readers through their emotions and the realities of breast cancer.

"When you receive a cancer diagnosis, it disrupts your entire life," Nilon said. "Cancer is truly a family disease. My book is a way to reach out to children who are affected and have no outlet to express their feelings."

Nilon's Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis in the fall of 2004, was completely unexpected. Although she had an almond-sized lump on her left breast for seven years, it was tested regularly and never appeared to be any cause for concern. As a healthy, active 43-year-old woman with no family history of breast cancer, the diagnosis turned her world upside down.

Nilon had a single mastectomy in November 2004, hoping that surgery would remove all of the cancerous tissue so she could avoid subsequent treatments. "I wanted to get it over with and move on with my life," said Nilon. Following surgery, she met with her physician, Dr. Julie Gralow, a UW Medicine medical oncologist, to discuss the pathology report. She was expecting good news, but instead received more devastating information. During surgery, they removed a lymph node that tested positive for cancer. Nilon needed chemotherapy.

"Chemotherapy scared me more than anything," commented Nilon. "Chemo was worse than surgery, worse than having cancer-it's toxic, it's poison entering your body."

Nilon had a second mastectomy surgery and lymph node removal in December 2005 and began chemotherapy treatments shortly after the New Year.

Chemo was incredibly taxing. "I stayed in bed for four months," said Nilon. "I tried to be there for my son, but I was so sick. I felt like I was dying."

Nilon hit her physical and emotional low during her aggressive chemotherapy treatments. "It was hard to have a positive attitude," she recalled. "I was depressed and upset, but I wanted to feel what I was feeling and get through it on my own."

Luca was also having anger and sadness issues. The cancer was taking a toll on the entire family.

Nilon credits her faith and the unconditional love of her partner, Bill Volpentesta, for pulling her through those dark months. Friends, family, neighbors and other survivors also supported her. "So many people left meals and cards, arranged childcare for Luca and prayed for me," commented Nilon.

Towards the end of chemotherapy, Nilon began sketching her experiences. She shared the sketches with Gralow who encouraged her to continue. Because she's had a lifelong passion for the arts, sketching was a natural way to express herself.

Throughout her recovery, Nilon continued sketching, and at the urging of her breast cancer support group at Northwest Hospital and Medical Center, she decided to turn her sketches into a children's book.

Luca assisted by sharing his experience. "I had my son tell me, in his words, what bothered him and what scared him."

The rhythmic prose and vivid pictures are geared specifically towards young children. Using cats to tell the story makes the serious issues not seem so frightening. "The book is meant to open a dialogue with children, not scare them," Nilon noted.

All of the pieces of the book fell into place. "The only thing I knew how to do was draw," said Nilon. "Amazingly, all of the other things just happened." Ravenna Press, a Spokane-based publisher, rallied around the project.

As a survivor, Nilon took the lessons she learned during her darkest days and turned them into a ray of hope for other afflicted families. "If I can take all of my experiences and help others, I'll be happy," she said.

Nilon would like to continue illustrating children's books, but her primary mission is to help others. "My goals are not lofty and large," she said. "I just want to give back every single day." " by Abbey McGee