When I first wanted to be a writer (back when I was eight, I think), I knew nothing about the publishing industry. I didn’t understand how agents worked or what it took to get a book to readers.
A few years ago a young man told me he wanted to write a book so that he could make money. I didn’t know whether to laugh or pat him on the head.
Learning about cancer treatments has been much the same way. I had no idea about the medical industry. I didn’t understand how surgeons worked or what it took to get a mastectomy. I didn’t know about post-op shirts, drains, expanders, or being estrogen positive. I didn’t know terms like her2/neu, sentinel nodes, or lymphedema.
Well, live and learn.
I’m going to have a novel published soon. I’ll get this through this too.
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 
“That’s the reason they’re called lessons,” the Gryphon remarked: “because they lessen from day to day.” ~Lewis Carroll (from Through the Looking Glass)
Here’s to a lessening of the yucky stuff, and a bit of basking in the warmth of your artistic achievements.
Thank you, Vaughn. And gold star to you for the Carroll quote!
Nothing in life is easy, but I’ve learned the hard stuff is what makes the little stuff that much more important. Hang in there and keep fighting. 🙂
Thank you. My road is easier than many, many others, and the little stuff brings me plenty of joy!
You have a gift for taking, making, and/or selecting the artwork you use for your posts here. I really like the way you seem to have grown into, well, I guess it’s Photoshop?
As for the content of this entry: ignorance, bliss, and all that, hmm? That naivete is actually a good thing (although many of the experiences which test it are NOT good, or mixed at best) — without it, nobody would ever dare to grow beyond what they already know. Speaking for myself, although I’m not at all happy about your having to go through all of this, I’m trying to stay focused on what comes next: namely, how it will change your art (stories and images both). Not that you’ll necessarily write (etc.) ABOUT cancer, treatments, illness in general — but that just having gone through it can’t help but tinge your work.
Unless, of course, you’re as heavily invested in denial as you are in naivete. 🙂
I’m curious as to how this will influence my work. I don’t see me writing directly about it, true, but now I have so much more insight into hospitals and bodies. That’s all bound to be somewhere.
I always laugh when people assume I make decent money from writing. The reality is that I barely make enough to buy groceries, which is why I work a bunch of other jobs.
Oh, I know. I’ve had several people think I’m going to be rich because of my book. I can just sigh and shake my head.
Yep.
You most certainly are going to have a novel published soon. It is a gripping story, compelling and quirky! You will get through this.
Thank you, Niamh.
I like your attitude!!
😉