Margaret Phalor Barnhart, Author Your first question will likely be, "If you had breast cancer in 1987, why would I want to read something that occurred 30 years ago?" The simple answer is that both you and I hear about the breast cancer diagnoses frequently and women are still being treated with mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. In fact, many women are choosing to have both breasts removed. When I was diagnosed at the age of 46, I was quite ignorant about the whole thing. I depended on my internist for information and got a second opinion regarding the mastectomy. When I started chemo I sent my husband to the library (no internet at that time) and he brought home three books. Two were thick tomes about the chemistry involved in chemotherapy. The third was about a woman who died from breast cancer and her husband had her diary published. No help there. I was not raised in a family where we talked about feelings, nor did we have much to say about our bodies. That is why the poetry in "Breast Cancer, an Emotional Journey," covers such intense feelings that I never shared. Most obvious was depression. The anger that comes out in the poetry was never displayed. I think trust in God was evident in both writing and art; but once again, never talked about. Much of the poetry was written in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep. The art came during the day when I had trouble focusing my attention on writing. Most of this poetry, art and prose was included in a book called, "Journey Unknown, Focusing on the Emotional Aspects of Cancer, Mastectomy and Chemotherapy." This book is now out of print. I believe you will be interested in the middle section of "Breast Cancer, an Emotional Journey," that includes letters from my family and friends, at my request, that define their feelings and reactions to my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. You will notice that I use an easy to read font. That is intentional. People going through chemotherapy have limited concentration. Many of the pages stand alone. Of course, I don't expect everyone to have the same experiences and feelings that I did. Whether the book is purchased for you or someone you know, it will have meaning. www.margaretbarnhart.com
About the Author: Born in 1940 in Columbus, Ohio, I shared my home with my parents and a sister older than me. As I worked my way through the education stream I completed high school and graduated from Capital University with a degree in Elementary Education. Within the next year I began teaching, got married, and then pregnant. My husband and I, along with our two sons, moved frequently within the state of Ohio, to wherever he was working. In the process I graduated from Miami University with a degree in Guidance and Counseling and spent a total of 16 years as a teacher and elementary school counselor. Life changed dramatically in 1987 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was the chemotherapy for six months that essentially ended my career. My legs ended up weak, my mind having a hard time concentrating, and my energy greatly reduced. I went on disability retirement and am eternally thankful to State Teacher's of Ohio Retirement System. Following divorce, I dated and then married my masseur in 1998. Together we moved to southern Arizona where my health is better, thanks to the climate. I love to hear personal stories and am in pursuit of writing a series of books beginning, Personal Encounters. This year is the first, "Personal Encounters with Cancer." It is an inspirational read. Cancer changed my life, but not my attitude. Whenever I have an opportunity I talk with individuals and small groups. I have been trained to be a listener and use these skills in many ways.