Book Summary
Welcome to my story, NOT BROKEN: The Unfiltered Daily Truth in Fighting Cancer.
This is a raw and realistic memoir documenting my battle with an aggressive cancer diagnosis, Stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to my lung, I had a devastatingly low 14% chance of survival.
When my world began spinning, I started a public CaringBridge journal to keep family and friends updated on my condition. Those journal entries laid the foundation for this book, offering readers a real-time, unpolished look at the physical and mental realities of my fight to survive.
“What I Did Say” are the thoughts I felt comfortable sharing with the world. I paired that with the terrifying, embarrassing full story of “What I Didn’t Say”
This book tracks my brutal physical battle through infusion and oral chemo, radiation, and surgeries that removed a huge piece of my colon and half of my left lung. I hold nothing back about the debilitating fatigue, the painful neuropathy that made my feet feel like they were wrapped in cellophane, and the frustrating reality of chemo brain.
But physical trauma is only part of it. I also dive into the unspoken, ugly side of cancer that people rarely talk about. I’m talking about the crushing financial fear and the deep shame of needing a GoFundMe account just to pay my bills. I share the devastating workplace reality of losing my job. You’ll read about the paralyzing “scanxiety”, the deep depression, and my coping mechanisms, like naming a fake plastic cactus, putting it on my desk, and flipping it off every time I started to feel down.
Scattered throughout the chapters, I’ve included “Practical Notes”. These are actionable, emotion-free tips covering everything from the importance of getting a second opinion to handling isolation.
Core Themes
The Reality of the “Daily Grind”: Rather than focusing solely on the medical treatments, the book highlights what it actually takes to get through a single day when facing terminal statistics. It sheds light on the exhaustion, the endless updates to loved ones, and the daily mental hurdles.
Permission to Grieve and Be Angry: A central message of the book is rejecting the pressure of “toxic positivity.” The book explicitly validates the darker emotions of the cancer journey, championing the idea that: “You are allowed to be terrified. You are allowed to be exhausted and angry.”
Resilience in the Face of Bad Odds: Despite the fear and the 14% survival prognosis, the overarching message is one of unyielding resilience. It is a testament to the idea that fighting for your life might leave you battered, but it does not mean you are fundamentally broken.
Who It Is For
Patients: Those navigating a late-stage or metastatic diagnosis, who want an unfiltered, relatable voice rather than a sugarcoated survivor story.
Caregivers and Family: Loved ones who want to genuinely understand the internal and emotional turmoil of what a cancer patient goes through on a daily basis.
Those Seeking Inspiration: Anyone looking for a story of defying the odds and maintaining a core sense of self when faced with this worst-case scenario.
I dedicated this book to you, the fighters, the survivors, and your friends and family. I want to help you find emotional strength when you feel completely broken, to remind you that your terrifying thoughts are real and normal.
Ultimately, NOT BROKEN is my resume as a cancer warrior. I have been cut, bruised, irradiated, and poisoned, but I am still standing and still fighting. If you or someone you love is stuck on this terrifying rollercoaster, I hope my story guides you from confusion and fear to clarity and strength. Take this walk with me so you know you are seen, safe, and absolutely not crazy.
Join in… Here is where I share reflections, insights, and perspectives on navigating cancer and recovery.
You’ll receive:
• Selected resources and updates in cancer care• Perspectives from lived experiences
• Reflections on treatment, recovery, and survivorship