My mom was diagnosed with Stage III nasopharyngeal cancer in July 2011. The doctors told her that unless she underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy everyday for three months, she would die in six months. However, our family found a treatment protocol far better than what the doctors suggested—and that was hope. That hope for mom to get well motivated us so much to care for her together, even in the most difficult stages of her illness.
Five Years: When Someone We Loved Had Cancer is a diary-style book with a lot of layers to it. On the surface, it’s about cancer. A little deeper, it’s about the natural treatments we used for my mom. A little deeper, it shows what my family and I experienced physically, spiritually and emotionally. But at its core, this book is about grief. Everyone has lost a loved one, or will experience losing a loved one. It’s the loneliest feeling in the world, and we as humans try to cover up as much as we can. What I want to share through this book is that people must have the guts to be vulnerable. It’s okay to admit that you’re not okay. It’s okay to miss someone who can never come back. This world teaches us that grief is destructive—we need to teach others to be creative. Make a song, make a book, make a painting, make dinner for your friends—as long as you’re making something. The more you create from your heart, the more you open yourself up to others. To learn more or purchase, click here. Also, check out the Five Years Facebook page.
