Isn’t amazing how cancer can bring you together with a number of people that you’d normally never hang with? It seems like the minute you find someone who has gone through this ordeal, you’re buds for life. I’ve got friends on the internet that I’ve never met, yet we’re drawn together by a shared affliction. Who knows … other than cancer, I might have very little in common with a lot of these people. Chances are good that under normal circumstances, I’d never have felt that connection that I do and we’d have each gone our merry way.

However, there is that connection and we share in our trials and tribulations. Who else would understand when you talk your experiences with chemo, have to go in weekly for Herceptin infusions, who even knows what the hell a port is?

And with who else can you tell the vilest cancer joke and get a laugh rather than a horrified look? Believe me … I know cancer isn’t a funny subject, but when you’re a member of this exclusive club, you have to laugh about it once in awhile. It’s a coping method.

So treasure these friends. They are your support group … your buds for life. They will share in your triumphs and your losses. They are the ones who truly understand what you’re going through and can commiserate with you.

Repeat after me … “YOU ARE A CANCER WINNER”

I was going to announce this over at MagicalMusings, but decided to do it here. The print release of my first book, “Forget About Tomorrow” will be in less than a month. This is excitin’ stuff and an incredible milestone for any writer. Yes, “FAT” came out in electronic format over a year ago, but through some delays it isn’t until the end of February that it will actually be in print.

I received my author copies the other day and I cannot tell you the feeling you get when you’re actually holding your baby in your hands. Needless to say, there was Snoopy dancing in the kitchen and I’ve done everything but sleep with a copy.

So my next move is to gear up the promotion wagon. I’ve been working on stuff off and on for the past couple of months, but now that we’re closing in on the print release date, I now have to put together a time line for when I start sending out announcements, etc.

If you think the work is done once your book is released, you’re in for a rude awakening. More work is necessary … just a totally different type from the actual creation of the book.

Plus, this is a different sort of fun. I love this stuff.

Okay, this blog is in response to Zoe tagging me over at her blog (The Road to Magical Happy Greatness) to name 7 facts about myself. Let me just say that sooner or later, I’ll get revenge, Zoe.

1. Fact Number One. I’m boring. Trying to think of anything interesting about myself was a practice in futility. So we’re going with seven boring facts.

2. Fact Number Two. I’m a five time breast cancer survivor. Rather proud of that fact. Beats the alternative.

3. Fact Number Three. I wanted to be a flight attendant when I was a kid. Even took three years of French in anticipation of becoming one. I loved the thought of being able to fly anywhere in the world … never mind the backbreaking work. Went to several interviews but for whatever reason, I wasn’t what they were looking for. Go figure. To top it off … I still can’t speak French.

4. Fact Number Four. I lived in Australia for a year. When I was twelve I got a penpal and after years of writing, decided when I was 21 that I was going to meet Helen. And if I was going to go that sort of distance, I was going to stay for awhile. It was one of the best things I could have done at that point in my life. I LOVE Australia.

5. Fact Number Five. When returning home from Australia, I had a three day stopover in Hawaii. While there I entered a bikini contest at the hotel bar. Had a great string bikini, too. However, after listening to the whooping and hollering, I chickened out and left.

6. Fact Number Six. I passionately hate email chains. I can almost guaranty that if you send me one, I’ll be the one to break the chain. Don’t care if I’m going to have seven years of bad luck, something disastrous will happen to me, or if there is some little kid trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. I’ll break that chain. Don’t even get me started on recipe exchanges …

7. Screw 7 facts … you’re getting 6. I’m at work and I don’t have time to think of another.

I also refuse to perpetuate this debacle by naming 7 people to tag. So like most chain emails …

The holidays are past and things have slowed down. I love the holiday season, but sometimes I just want to breathe a sigh of relief when its finished. This year it seemed to take me forever to get everything done. Not sure what’s up with that, but in the end everything was accomplished and we had a lovely Christmas.

That got me thinking about people I haven’t seen in a long time. That, in turn, got me thinking about the reason behind that. Sometimes you lose touch with a person you considered a good friend and sometimes there’s a falling out. Then there’s the “huh?” factor where you have no idea why you lost touch.

I found it interesting how people reacted to my various bouts with cancer. Most of what I consider my good friends stuck by me … was supportive, was there to listen when I wanted to talk, was there when I needed help.

But I did have a really good friend who didn’t, and I never understood why. I’ll call her “T”. T and I went to school together, hung out in the clubs together, I was in her wedding, she in mine. However, when I informed her that I had cancer, all of a sudden she vanished. Going through the treatment, I was understandably distracted and really didn’t notice her absence. After all, she worked full time, had two young children … she had a busy life. But after awhile, I noticed there were no phone calls, no cards saying “thinking of you” … nothing. I tried calling her a couple of times but usually got a machine, and no return call.

I ran into T’s sister a few months after I’d finished my first ‘bout of chemo. I asked how T was and her sister said something about T having gone off the deep end with religion. After some discussion, the sister finally let it slip. Evidently, I must have done something evil to deserve cancer. I admit, I was stunned. No one “deserves” cancer and there is certainly no way that a spiritual act on my part would cause me to contract it. If that were the case, I can think of countless people in this world that would be riddled with it.

It gave me an interesting insight into the workings of a person’s mind. I no longer try to contact T. As far as I’m concerned, T has been crossed off my list of friends. Yes, I was hurt and I was angry, but I’ve learned long ago not the sweat the small stuff. To me, T’s attitude is unreasonable and I’m not going to waste my time trying to change someone’s mind.

You have anyone in your life that reacted to your illness in an odd manner? I’d be interested in hearing.

Repeat after me … “YOU ARE A CANCER WINNER”

When I got into this business, there was an aspect I hadn’t considered. Networking. I figure … write the book, polish the hell outta it, submit it to an agent, who in turn will submit it to an editor and boom! I’ll get published. Reality was an eye-opener … and a bitch.

However, what I consider a significant bonus, is meeting other writers. Getting to know your fellow writers is priceless. These are people you can talk shop with, pick their brains, hang out and speak in a language that family and friends rarely understands. Do you get blank stares? I know I do.

The internet is a lifesaver for a lot of writers. We tend to be an introverted lot, but the internet enables us to keep in touch with other people in this profession. Not only are you able to email your writer friends, but you can gather information with a click of a mouse. Got a question about a legal matter? Post it to one of your loops. Chances are good, someone is an attorney. Or rather than spend hours researching a rare blood disease? Post it. You could probably have an answer within minutes. Someone can always point you in the right direction with your research, provide links, websites or put you in touch with someone who has answers to your questions.

What are some of the ways that you network? Is it via internet, conferences, or regular meetings?