This month we had the opportunity to sit down with
author Gayle Bittinger and her husband John. With the
help of Gayle's daughter Katie, we learned a great deal
about this incredibly positive woman whose journaling
during breast cancer treatment led to her writing of,
Leading a Charmed Life.
What inspired you to write,
Leading a Charmed Life?
I was starting a year of
Herceptin infusions after
twelve weeks of dose
dense chemotherapy and
a bilateral mastectomy. I
felt like I had already run
a marathon, and I still had
a year of treatments to go.
So, I began brainstorming
ways to count down the
next 52 weeks. Since
being diagnosed, I had
been writing a "Kick Some
Cancer Butt Gazette" and
sending it to family and
friends, and I discovered
that turning my thoughts
and experiences into writing was a great way for me to
process what was happening. But what to write about
for 52 weeks? That was when I came up with the idea
of starting a necklace and adding a new charm each
week. I would write journal entries, letting the charms
chosen by myself and the people involved in my care
inspire my writing. It was strictly a journal for me, a
way for me to vent, process, celebrate, and learn how
to live as a person going through a life-altering illness.
I never intended to share my journal with anyone, but
as I was nearing the end of my yearlong treatments, I
thought a nice thank you gift for my CBHO providers
would be for me to polish up the journal entries about
the charms they had chosen and turn it into a little
booklet. So I did, and it was a hit. Somehow, in the time
it took for me to receive my final Herceptin infusion,
almost everyone in the clinic had read my entries and
loved them. That was when my husband and children
started nudging, "Honey,
your writing could inspire
others." Or, "Mom, you
could really help some
other people with what you
wrote." Or, "Mom, have you
started your book yet?" So I
did and here it is.
How did you pick the
charms?
I would keep a plastic baggie
of assorted charms with my
journal. Every Tuesday, a
new charm was chosen by
me or by someone who was
walking with me on this
journey. I loved asking others to pick out charms and
tell me why they chose them.
What is your favorite charm?
I would be completely honest telling you that every
charm is my favorite charm, all for different reasons.
It may be a quote or experience the charm reminded
me of, the person who chose the charm, the reason
someone chose the charm, or where I was when the
charm was chosen. But I know that's not the answer you
"Leading A Charmed Life"
Book Reading With Author, Gayle Bittinger
Monday, February 10th from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Join us as local author, Gayle Bittinger, reads excerpts from her book, "Leading a Charmed Life," which chronicles her
journey through cancer treatment over the course of a year. Critics have called her writing: inspiring, hopeful, beautiful,
uplifting and honest. Gayle will have copies of her book for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated to our
Foundation. Lunch provided with RSVP.
Please RSVP at: (509) 737-3427 or online at www.tccancer.org
An interview with Gayle Bittinger
Leading a Charmed Life
My Journey Through Cancer Treatment
Gayle & John in our library with her new book and charm necklace.