Children's cancer book inspired by life of Hoffman woman
I am a third-grade teacher at St. Hubert School in Hoffman Estates.
A few years ago, at a parent-teacher conference, Nancy Scislowski, a mom of one of my students, told me about her battle with breast cancer in 2004. She discussed how difficult it was to find a book to read to her young children to help them understand her cancer diagnosis.
Nancy knew from my beginning of the year newsletter that I was very interested in writing a children's book. She asked me if I would be interested in writing one about cancer. I told her that I would be honored to give it a try if she would be my consultant on the content for accuracy.
It was in the next school year when I had her middle son that Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. This time the cancer was stage four and required a more intensive treatment of chemo and radiation. My heart ached for her and her family. I was determined to complete the book and dedicate it to Nancy.
During a dinner conversation with a new friend Diane Szerszen of Elk Grove Village, I discovered that she had a talent for drawing. After hearing Nancy's story, Diane came aboard without hesitation. We met at the Schaumburg library once a week for several months.
To be honest, we didn't exactly know what we were doing at first, but with perseverance and a lot of research, we outlined, organized, and printed the final book.
I vividly remember the day I presented the book to Nancy. It was December 2009, right before Christmas break after Nancy had completed her treatments. She was moved to tears, as was I. It was through Nancy's urging that I decided to self-publish the book. I published it to honor Nancy's strength and courage and to provide a resource for other women battling cancer.
Nancy died last December. But she lived her life to the fullest. She was an adventurer and loved the challenge of living on the edge. In March 2006, she traveled to a high elevation base camp in Nepal from which people attempt to climb Mount Everest. In August 2008, she visited a shark cage off the Gulf of Mexico to take pictures of the mammals. She had planned to chase storms in the South, but her second cancer diagnosis in 2009 derailed that trip.
Nancy volunteered her time at Reach to Recovery with the American Cancer Society. This program put Nancy in touch with other women just beginning a cancer journey and allowed her to help by sharing her experiences and providing camaraderie for others and herself to face their fears.
In a speech at an American Cancer Society benefit in 2009, Nancy said, “Celebrate life. Celebrate each day. Celebrate when you pour yourself that cup of coffee in the morning. Celebrate when you brush your teeth before you go to bed. Celebrate every little thing you can, because tomorrow is not a guarantee. Then ask yourself if you lived today exactly the way you would like if it were your last.”
My hope is that this story will inspire others to live life to the fullest and that my book, “When Mom Had Cancer,” will provide families with a sense of hope, some laughter, and a lot of love.
“When Mom Had Cancer,” aimed at children kindergarten to 4th grade level, is 28 pages and available for about $12 on Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com.
Ÿ Debra Tutak lives in Schaumburg. Nancy Scislowski's husband Ted and their three young sons, Ryan, Jack and Alec, live in Hoffman Estates.