Story Medicine: Doses of Hope, Healing, and Wisdom from Women with Breast Cancer Edition 1: Lisa's Light

The reality is we are-all of us-walking the high wire with no net. But we prefer the illusion of safety, an illusion that falls away in an instant when we hear the words, "You have cancer."

And this can be our profound point of transformation. Once the bottom drops out, illusions fall away and we find ourselves with an opportunity to deepen into hope, trust, even into grace, knowing that all is well and that we are held in love and light at every moment of our journey.

This desire to stretch and grow doesn't negate the shock and grief inherent after a breast cancer diagnosis. These stories share our own paths, and seek to uplift us all step by step. These doses of hope, healing, and wisdom illuminate our path forward with truth and love to hold our hands along the way.

You are joined on this journey by 40 writers - women experiencing breast cancer and a few friends and loved ones as well, for a global view of caring perspectives on this path of healing. Writers join us from across North America, New Zealand, Europe, Australia, and Mexico and with cultural origins including India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Maori, Native American and more. While our voices are unique and distinct, we share many commonalities in this experience and we join together in a chorus of care along the way. Consider yourself held in the light and song of this Story Medicine to which you can add your own voice, using the prompts at the end of this book. We hope you use this book to weave your own voice into this tapestry.

This fall from the high wire-despite the fear in the pit of your stomach-may be the exact point of transformation your soul has been longing for. Life is finite. And you aren't willing to waste one more single, precious, magnificent drop on playing small. You are ready to open your wings, breathe deeply, and fly.

"This must read book is a powerful source of strength and enlightenment for all individuals on the cancer journey - cancer survivors, families, friends, and health professionals. Thank you!" Kristine Cichowski, MS, CEO & Founder of Power To Be, Founding Director of the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Henry B Betts LIFE Center

"The act of writing about our health challenges heals the writer first, then ripples out like a pebble in a pond to heal the reader. The stories and poetry inside Story Medicine: Doses of Hope, Healing, and Wisdom will become a balm for anyone on a journey to wellness. Story does heal - this book is my prescription for you." Laura Lentz, Author, Freeing the Turkeys & STORYquest, Literati Academy

"I recommend to all my patients the profound scientific benefits that creative arts such as writing stories, poetry and journaling have upon the quality of life of those with cancer as well as any chronic disease. These lifestyle practices are part of healing through improving your epigenetics." Sunil Pai MD, Sanjevani Integrative Medicine Health & Lifestyle Center, Author of An Inflammation Nation

"We have been taught to grieve in private, shutting off the flow of tears for fear of looking weak and vulnerable, for fear of dropping into a bottomless well. But the tribe of writers inside this luminous book is here to sing a different song - one of interconnectedness and kindness, and of the power of community to hold us tenderly during our darkest hours and celebrate with us as we find the gratitude and courage to live each day to its fullest. These poems and stories redefine and elevate the essential role that love and acceptance play in our healing journey." Nancy London, MSW, author of Hot Flashes, Warm Bottles: First-Time Mothers over Forty and one of the original authors of Our Bodies, Ourselves is a Grief Counselor, Writer and Editor