Healing with Words. Review

I was lucky enough to be selected to review the book Healing with Words: A writer's Cancer Journey by Diana M. Raab

This book actually came at a very difficult time for me. I received the book a day after my grandmother was told she would need to have a biopsy done because her mammogram came back with suspicious results. I began reading the book with a very open mind and unbiased view and under the assumption that my grandmothers biopsy would come back negative. I was about halfway through book when my grandmother had her biopsy and the result was cancer. She was under anesthesia from the biopsy and remained that way as they preformed a single mastectomy. She woke up from her procedure unaware that she was missing a breast until my mother informed her of the results and subsequent operation. So this book ended up hitting much closer to home then I ever would have anticipated.

I had to wait until the shock of my grandmother losing her breast settled in a bit more before finishing the book and I think ultimately the experience with my grandmother changed my perception of the book.

The book is a very personal journey of Diana,from the moment cancer is suspected through her diagnosis, treatments, mastectomy and recovery (both emotional and physical). She pulls no punches as she chronicles her feelings for her breast and the relationship she has with them. It's an extremely personal book and she doesn't hold back. She was self pittying and morbid. She has not qualms with telling readers about her emotional state and encourages them to delve into their feeling and experiences with their own cancer journey. The book even provides spaces for the readers own journaling and note taking.

The book itself is well written and an easy read. The quotes used as well as the authors own personal poems give you a very thorough insight into her mental and emotional state. As far as the writers own journey it's hard for me to fully understand. I have not had to deal with cancer myself but I know that there is a good chance that if and/or when I do I will not have the resources available that Diana had. She had friends in the medical field and financial resources that I think many women don't have. She was able to seek out premier doctors and specialists and stay in hotels out of state for treatment. Many women in her situation are at the mercy of their insurance and financial situations.

Also, having watched my grandmother loose a breast almost unexpectedly and stay strong and positive made reading through Diane's emotional breaks difficult at times. She is young and smart and successful and is such an emotional wreck. I wasn't sure if her circumstances should have made her disposition better or if it gave her emotional state validation. Either way you felt what she felt and even if you couldn't empathize you could sympathize.

And though through the book I felt as though she was weak and a victim of her circumstances it was at the end where I could really feel for her and the change in her outlook. It seems as though another tragedy is what had her put things in perspective and take control of her life and truly become a heroine in her own life story.

By the end of the book you feel like you know Diana M. Raab and you want to keep that relationship going because you become emotionally vested in her life and that is due to her indisputable honesty in her writing. Healing with Words isn't just a Writers Cancer Journey it's also a readers Journey and she takes you along and encourages you to become the writer of your own story and to use writing to facilitate mental and emotional health in spite of your physical health.

While the book seems meant for those who have experienced Cancer I think any women can appreciate it and if a man wants insight into a females prospective on breast cancer this book will accomplish that feat.

If you want to learn more about the author Diana M. Raab you can visit her website http://www.dianaraab.com/  or hear an interview with Diana Raab here or like her on Facebook page Healing with Words and of course you can purchase your own copy of this book from Amazon by clicking here.

And I am proud to announce that a copy Healing with Words: A writer's Cancer Journey by Diana M. Raab will be given away to a lucky member of Tampa Bay Moms Group so to enter click here.

This Ribbons for You

The timing was pretty ironic. I was selected to do a review on a book about a women's journey through breast cancer and then found out my grandmother was going in for a biopsy.

She went in for the biopsy today and they warned her that they may need to do a lumpectomy or mastectomy. After the biopsy the immediately checked and found it was cancerous. So they did the mastectomy.

I cried. That may sound like the "duh" statement of the day but since I refused to even worry about this until I knew there was something to worry about I just hadn't cried at all because why cry over what could be completely benign. But they worked fast.

They got her in, did the biopsy and found the mass was malignant so immediately removed the breast. I guess I had to cry fast because there was no real time to build up to it. It's like.. there may be a problem, yes it's a problem, all better.

That's a good thing though. At least that's what I told my mom who called my sobbing to update me. I didn't cry on the phone with her because Lord knows my mom doesn't need any encouragement when it comes to tears but once I hung up I let it go.

I know grandma's ok. The caught the cancer and took it out and now it's a matter or some treatment but I worry. I get so upset when my boobs look uneven. How would I feel if one was gone? Are they going to replace it? Does she even care?

The worst part was that the staff didn't tell her they went ahead and did the mastectomy. My mom had to tell her when she went up to the room and it was then my grandmother felt her chest and said oh. Apparently she seems to be taking it very well but who knows how she'll fair once she's alone and doesn't feel like she has to be strong for anyone else.

I think about my own boobs. My ta'tas, love lumps, whatever you want to call them. Sure they aren't perky and firm like they were a few pregnancies ago but I still love them and I know my husband does. I watched them grow all my life cheering them on and celebrating with each increasing cup. Cursing them when they wouldn't fit in a blouse, touching them when I was teasing my husband, using them to feed my children. It's a life long relationship. And ultimately I love them. They could honestly be the death of me but I love them and I don't know how I would feel if I had to lose one or both.

I'd like to think I'd be strong but who can bare to lose a piece of themselves... especially a peice that in many ways defines you as a woman.

So for all the women who have fought breast cancer and won or loss today you are all in my thoughts. This ribbon is for you.

Last of the 20s

Tonight is officially the last night of my 20s. I have mixed feelings about my passage into my 30s.


There's a part of me that can't believe I'm going to be 30. This is the same part of me that sucks in my stomach and visualizes my boobs being perky and firm like they were 10 years ago. This part of me looks in the mirror and thinks "I don't look 30" as I search for gray hairs to pluck. Sure there's only been 5 but that's 5 I ripped out on sight!

The other part of me thinks "Who cares?" I have a husband who loves me, beautiful kids, the ability to stay home with my family while working towards my goals or taking the time to make goals. Who cares if I can't say I'm in my 20s anymore?

James makes jokes saying I'm becoming an old lady and I guess I am day by day. But since he's already and old man who cares. He's been going gray since I met him so maybe we'll have just one more thing in common. He's probably more upset about not being able to say he has a wife in her twenties then I am to have to say I'm the bid three-zero.

So let's see how tomorrow goes. I can't do anything about turning thirty but I can enjoy my thirties so much I will mourn the loss of my 30s even more then I did the loss of my 20s.

Another Amazing Year at The Junior League of Tampas Holiday Gift Market

The Junior League invited me again this year to come out to the Holiday Market Place and fill my readers in on what is their largest fundraiser of the year.

The JLT once again packed the Florida State Fairgrounds full of vendors selling everything from Slushy Cups to Handbags. The variety of vendors was inspiring and you would be hard pressed to not be lured into a purchase.

Row after row of business owners both large and small were there to share their wares with the thousands of visitors that poured through the doors.

The 8th Holiday Market must have been the biggest success so far. The JLT has prided itself in being committed to building a healthier, more educated, and safer community for Tampa Bay's children and families for 86 years. Their 1700 members currently provide the community with over 60,000 hours of service each year. And with the Holiday Market being their largest and most profitable fundraiser of the year we can expect that to continue.

The market itself is a much anticipated event not just to the locals here in the Tampa Bay area but to cities all around. The event draws guest from all around Central Florida and it's easy to see why. I myself was able to know off several items from my Holiday Shopping list.

If you can I highly recommend you get out there before it's gone. The event is over Sunday November 6th and won't be back until next year. And if you do miss out this year... I would mark your calendar for next and keep checking the Junior Leagues Site for info because this is not just a fantastic event but it's for a fantastic group of ladies that do fantastic work for our community.

Here are the Winners of the Holiday Market Ticket Giveaway from www.tampabaymomsgroup.com.