Sometimes You Have to Laugh

When Marilyn Stacy discovered she had aggressive breast cancer three years ago, her first question to the doctor was, “What do we need to do?” Then she thought of her family, and knew she didn’t want them to worry—at least more than necessary. She knew, from what the doctors said, there would be a rough road ahead.

During two years of treatment, Marilyn promised herself she would use the experience to help others. She wasn’t certain how, but she believes that whatever occurs in life, it’s not as bad if it can used for good in some way. As a counselor, she felt now she would be better able to understand the feelings of others going through similar illnesses.

After surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, she had eleven months of herceptin infusion therapy. It seemed “like a cakewalk after everything else,” Marilyn said, “with minimal side effects.” She started exercising, and even found a basketball team of “old gals like me” to play with.  

As a writer, she hoped to share some of what she learned along the way. “I was surprised at how many things I didn’t know about cancer, its treatment and side effects.” She made quite a few discoveries during that time, not all of them bad, some even funny.

In her book, “Sometimes You Have to Laugh…a poet’s look at cancer,” Marilyn put together poems she wrote about that time, and included suggestions and information she hopes will help others who find themselves “on the cancer train.”

To preview the book, go to www.lulu.com/content/7248951 or look on Marilyn’s website, www.marilynstacy.com. If you or anyone you know is undergoing serious illness, you need to read this uplifting, encouraging book.