Oysters for Lunch - Writings by women living with secondary breast cancer
More than 2,600 New Zealand women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and about 15% will hear the news that the breast cancer has spread to other parts of their body. At this stage the advanced cancer, also known as metastatic or secondary, is incurable.
The opportunity to read creative work written by women living with secondary breast cancer is a valuable one, a gift not only to those who may follow a similar path but to all of us, offering intimate insights into lives that are challenged by the realities of cancer and lived fully ‘in the moment’, shared passionately with beloved family, friends and places.
This collection of stories and poems written by members of Sweet Louise are penned from the heart. The writers share the highs, lows, joys and sorrows of life with an incurable cancer.
Within this book you will find works of inspiration, insight and value. The title story, Oysters for Lunch by Raewyn Hilliard typifies the spirit and strength of the contributors as they cope with the challenges and rise above them in ways that are at once everyday, but poignant. And there is so much more in this little book, lessons that prompt us to look at our own lives and think, ‘Am I living the best way I can, at this moment?’
“These stories and poems are an inspirational tribute to the extraordinary lives of our authors living with secondary breast cancer and we know that the women who contributed their work did so with a courage and determination to help make a difference for others.”
Sue Brewster, CEO Sweet Louise
The Louise Perkins Foundation would like to thank Roche New Zealand and The Max Foundation for their generous support of the Sweet Louise Creative Writing Project and book.
Oysters for Lunch - Writings by women living with secondary breast cancer
Edited by Jane Bissell (The Louise Perkins Foundation 2011)
ISBN 978-0-473-19936-4
RRP $25.00 (includes postage within NZ when purchased through the Sweet Louise shop)
Available from the Sweet Louise Online Shop at www.sweetlouise.co.nz or contact rachael.storey@sweetlouise.co.nz to order your copy. All proceeds from the sales of Oysters for Lunch go towards the provision of Sweet Louise services and support.
