New Mexican Press Women

I'm in Santa Fe, New Mexico, reflecting on my speaking venue this past weekend to the New Mexican Press Women at the Mission Cafe on DeVargas Street.  R. Thomas Berner, President of the New Mexican Press Women, extended an invitation to attend their bimonthly meeting and present my book "Caring For Cynthia."  There was a very powerful, entrepreneurial presence in the audience.  The twelve members present were either published authors themselves, owned and edited monthly publications/newsletters and broadcast media, and, some present had won recent awards for their work in journalism.  

The Santa Fe winter sun pierced through lace curtains into the "Community Room" of the Mission Cafe.  At the table, we were surrounded by an eclectic decor that incorporated dried hydrangeas and the silver and gold lame´of artwork from local to religious.  After items on the agenda were discussed and the hostess' traditional frito pies were served, I was introduced.  I spoke for twenty minutes and, while I'm still honing my skills as a guest speaker, I'm grateful for not only having met this organization but to have had the privilege of listening to caregiving experiences shared that day. 

I'm noticing this:  it requires deep courage to publicly share caregiving experiences that are seemingly privately held and I notice the "catchiness" of the sharing - one person's share leads to another person sharing and soon, many share.   Imagine what all of those in the "Community Room" of the Mission Cafe learned that day - simply through our sharing!  I encourage caregivers to share their experiences of their caregiving journey on this blog - sharing imparts knowledge and little morsels of knowledge can make a tremendous difference in the lives of other caregivers and ultimately change the course of the journey for the loved one diagnosed. 

Visit www.newmexicopresswomen.org

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I've been cultivating my experiences of marketing and exposing "Caring For Cynthia" over the past months.  Through my travels to book events and my discussions with other caregivers, I know "Caring For Cynthia" is an expression of a conversation about cancer that is either never or rarely considered - the expression of the caregiver's helplessness, uncertainty, guilt, shame, concern, frustration or fears (to mention a few) that surface when a loved one is diagnosed.  

My intention, through this blog, is to give caregivers the space in which to share their feelings all the while honoring their loved one and finding empowerment through shared stories - underscoring the we are all affected when a diagnosis is confirmed.  

In the upcoming weeks, I'll be connecting with oncology centers across the nation to create the possibility that Caring For Cynthia has a presence inside each center.  I'll be reaching out to nurses, oncology nurse educators and other oncology staff that will, in turn, introduce "Caring For Cynthia" to their patients - as this is an educational tool that serves as a platform for dialogue among patients and their loved ones/friends/family and their practitioners.  

"Caring For Cynthia" is a book that gives new courage to look at breast cancer.  It's a book that acknowledges and validates caregivers in the support they are for the patient's well being during a journey with breast cancer.  

"Caring For Cynthia" supports the existence of the complex emotional components inside a journey with cancer that can lead the reader to a thoroughly enriching experience despite the darkness of cancer that otherwise initially obstructs the beauty in vulnerability from our view. Develop a new courage to "be" with breast cancer.  Be a part of a community that honors the vulnerability of those diagnosed with breast cancer and step forward to support the well being of those diagnosed.   

Please email a link to this blog to others of whom you know have been touched by breast cancer.