I Can Just About Breathe Right Now

Marie Frizzell Anne

Description

I knew during the ultrasound that it was cancer but I could barely breathe...I stayed silent. I knew during the scan that it was cancer but I could barely breathe...I stayed silent.I knew the doctors were going to tell me my child had cancer. And they did, and I screamed inside. Then I took a deep breath and I kept breathing. In this compelling personal narrative, we are invited to view the world of childhood cancer through the eyes of a mother.The author vividly portrays the resilience of children when faced with a life-threatening illness and the power of the human spirit in times of adversity.When your child is diagnosed with cancer, you have no choice but to embark on the journey with them, one small step and one deep breath at a time. Sometimes, just breathing is all you can do, and sometimes, just breathing is all you need to do.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Memoir

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 29 mai 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528904209
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

I Can Just About Breathe Right Now
Childhood Cancer Through the Lens of a Mother
Anne Marie Frizzell
Austin Macauley Publishers
2020-05-29
I Can Just About Breathe Right Now About The Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgement Desiderata Foreword Preface Introduction Memories, Not Memorials Too Drained to Respond Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Wrap and Seal Heebey Jeebeys Tubes and the Milk Shake Brigade Comfort Meerkat Mode Step-by-Step Positivity Dispatched Paying It Forward Celebrity Status Minding What Matters The Backpack Travel Companions Wave Riders Being Between Safety Net Kites in the Wind Gloss Seeking Serenity Afterword Appendix 1 Thoughts During the First Two Weeks It Is Day Eleven The Tree Outside Room 11 Bibliography
About The Author
Anne Marie Frizzell has a background in nursing and has worked for many years in community-based health and social care services in Ireland. She is currently a member of the Academic Team in the Department of Health and Nutritional Science, Institute of Technology, Sligo. She is an accredited health and wellness coach. In 2015 and 2016, she was shortlisted as a finalist in the International Coaching Federation (Ireland Charter), Health and Wellness Coach of the Year Awards. Since 2012, Anne Marie has been actively coaching and promoting wellness and mindfulness with individuals and communities. She published her first book Time to Blossom – Harvesting Wellness and Wisdom on Your Personal Life Journey on November 2015.
On 1st October, 2017, her daughter Erica was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, and in this book, Anne Marie provides some insights to and reflections on the childhood cancer journey—through her eyes.
Dedication
For the Childhood Cancer Warriors, past and present, and those who will face this battle in the future: you display courage beyond comprehension, unrelenting resilience and moment-by-moment mindfulness. You are life ambassadors who represent the incredible power of the human spirit. For that, I honour you.
For my warrior, Erica—what the heck?
Copyright Information ©
Anne Marie Frizzell (2020)
The right of Anne Marie Frizzell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Austin Macauley is committed to publishing works of quality and integrity. In that spirit, we are proud to offer this book to our readers; however, the story, the experiences, and the words are the author’s alone and portrayed to the best of their recollection. In some cases, names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528903950 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528904209 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2020)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LQ
Acknowledgement
When my daughter was diagnosed with cancer, we were inundated with good wishes and offers of help and support. It is humbling to witness the decency and kindness that emerges during difficult times. While it is impossible to list everyone individually, there are some people who deserve special mention for the role they played on this incredibly testing journey.
I want, first of all, to acknowledge with deep appreciation and thankfulness, my immediate and extended family for being there for us every step of the way.
With infinite gratitude, I thank my anchors, Sylvia, Imelda, Audrey, Rose and Michelle and Philip—you kept me afloat and helped me weather these storms. You still do!
It is hard to find the right words to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the incredible care and medical treatment Erica received. To Professor Owen Smith, Dr Aengus O’Marcaigh, Dr Andrea Malone, Dr Neil Barrett, Dr Michael Capra and the entire medical and nursing team in St John’s Ward, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin—I thank you and I hold each of you in the highest esteem.
I wish to acknowledge also the extensive healthcare team who support children with cancer in St John’s Ward and throughout Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. You are remarkable people and I appreciate each and every one of your contributions to Erica’s care and treatment.
It is also important to acknowledge the kindness and compassion shown by the staff from the National Ambulance Service and the Bumbelance team, who we travelled with between Sligo and Our Lady’s Children Hospital on three occasions. Your kindness and good humour made these very difficult journeys much easier.
I want to acknowledge with gratitude, the kindness, care and support shown to us by the staff in the paediatric services at Sligo University Hospital, both during Erica’s treatment and in the follow-up stages. You got to know us quite well and we will never forget how kind you were even on those very difficult days and nights.
A massive thank you to everyone at the Mall Family Practice and Markievicz Pharmacy Sligo for the kindness and support extended to us on an on-going basis.
A special thanks to the Irish Cancer Society, the Childhood Cancer Foundation, the Sligo Cancer Support Centre and SHOUT.
I want to say a very special thanks to Erica’s school friends and her teachers for the lovely video messages, cards and the thoughtful gifts they sent to her while she was in hospital—thank you. It is hard to quantify the impact of the loss of contact with one’s friends on a child undergoing treatment for cancer. These video messages lifted her spirit and were a welcome connection with the world she was temporarily excluded from.
Not forgetting our wonderful neighbours—thank you for all the support and for the lovely welcome each time we came back from our stays in hospital. Special thanks to Eileen for ensuring that there is never a dull moment in the Crescent and for your attempts at tracking down Phil and Neutro!
To Lisa Cooper and all the dance mums and dancers at the Lisa Cooper Dance Academy—an enormous thanks to each and every one of you for being Team Erica. We are so lucky to be part of this amazing dance family.
Special thanks to Brenda and the Cos Cos Sean Nos Dancers for the lovely dance video and all the lovely gifts—keep on dancing!
Thank you to Alan and the World Lyrical Dance Federation team and also the wider lyrical dance community. We were very touched by your generosity and good wishes and it’s great to be back!
Thank you Mary and Seamus, for all your help and kindness; it is deeply appreciated.
To Brian and Catherine and the gang—thank you for the endless surprises including all the celebrity shout-outs. Brian, you are, without doubt, the greatest networker in Yeats Country!
A special thanks to Keelin Cawley and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) for all the cool GAA gear. Massive thanks also to Colm Begley for giving Erica your Championship Bead of Courage.
It is also important to acknowledge the fantastic work undertaken by Barretstown and the Make a Wish Foundation, who offer children with serious illnesses, fantastic experiences. It is important to support these wonderful organisations so that they can carry on creating brilliant living memories for these children.
I want to gratefully acknowledge the support I received from other parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. You inspire me every day and I continue to hold space for you in my heart.
Finally, to everyone who helped or supported us in any way, we will remain forever grateful and will do our best to emulate your example as we enter the lives of others on this, or similar journeys.
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Foreword
Although childhood cancer is fairly rare, it continues to be the leading cause of death by di