Breast cancer is no joy ride that’s for sure, but to find that out of your trauma can help others – well it softens the blow and rounds the pointy edges just a bit.
So, Show US Your tits – Baring All and Beating Breast Cancer, is out there now – doing what I hoped it would do – helping people. I am so happy that this dream of mine has finally become a reality and I am getting messages, photos and feedback that is both making me elated, and emotional.
I have loved every minute of getting copies out there into hands that need them. Sending my first bunch of postal orders off was very exciting! I even talked to the box of books before posting them – ‘Now tits, get out there and do your thing!’
Of course, the first people we think of that will be helped by this memoir are breast cancer warriors – those who have been through it, those currently in it, as well as those just diagnosed.
This book was written for every single one of them!
With 57 Australians diagnosed every day, this book could have a longevity that I never really considered.
So far, the feedback from breast cancer survivors has been nothing short of amazing. Lots of ladies at various stages of treatment or survivorship, have contacted me with descriptions of how this memoir has helped them.
Out of this whole book writing process thing, THIS is THE absolute highlight for me.
Many survivors are describing how my story was so much like theirs; and reading this book has validated their own experiences and feelings through their breast cancer shitfest.
Sharing my story is providing an important connection and support. Knowing that others have gone through the same hardships, felt the same fears, laughed at similar cancer absurdities and cried similar tears, makes it all a little easier to endure. We don’t feel so alone with that scary beast called cancer.
Let me share a couple of these feedback stories with you.
In the first week of sales, Lisa sent me a message about reading my book whilst receiving active treatment. Lisa took Show Us Your Tits along to her 7th chemo treatment! She found inspiration, connection and lots of giggles as she read along.
Wow! Just wow!
Having this come through as one of the first pieces of feedback – I was an emotional mess. I couldn’t have asked for a better story to come in. My heart is full!
I then received some important words from both Christine and Carolyn. Christine sent me a Facebook message that said…‘Crying and pissing myself laughing at the same time’.
Brilliant! This is exactly what I hoped for. Breast cancer is a confronting thing to read about - especially with my no nonsense and frank approach, so I wanted to ensure there was a consistent humour thread all the way through. Humour was a BIG part in getting me through some very tough cancer-beating times.
Carolyn shared her review, just this week:
‘Thank you Jo Joyce for your bravery in baring it all to share your story.
Reading this book enabled me to acknowledge my own trauma and gave me the courage to do the next step in my reconstruction. After finishing this book I was able to process my feelings and I'm now able to acknowledge the shit show that it is and was.’
Brilliant! I am so glad that my story can help someone else continue to process what went down for them and take further steps towards emotional healing.
Yet, there is another perspective to take here.
This book is not just for breast cancer survivors. It’s for everyone. Life throws us punches all the time, and no one can completely escape trauma. Reading about how someone else dealt with a traumatic and frightening experience, can provide you with a bit of a map to navigate your own, when it turns up on your doorstep.
Everyone can glean something useful from this book. Perhaps a deeper understanding of the disease, its treatments and the impact it has on the life. Or people might connect with a funny titbit (sorry – couldn’t help myself) – there are many contained in the glossy pages of Show Us Your Tits!
Everyone will come away with a greater awareness of Australian breast cancer statistics and the importance of regular breast checks! There is a lot to learn about breast cancer and I hope that these pages can educate the community about some of the important facts, and raise a few eyebrows over things people would never have guessed are part of the whole shitfest.
So how are sales going?
Going well – seems to be a good description.
In the 4 weeks since the launch, I have sold almost 400 books. This brings a BIG smile to my dial as I think about all the people reading this book RIGHT NOW, or tomorrow, or next week. It also conjures up a grin on my face because the benefit is two-fold. The obvious benefits to people from actually reading the book AND the potential that is there to raise over 20K for Breast Cancer Care WA.
I printed 1000 copies – so yes – there are still 600 left!
600 more people to inform or 600 more survivors to help.
I am working hard to get these copies out there (amidst working, mothering and daily life – I certainly wish I had an extra pair of hands and legs at the moment) and if you have any ideas to help distribute these across the country – I am all ears!
Thank you for supporting this venture –so far it seems that others consider it to be a damn worthwhile one!
Much love,
Jo
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