News and Reviews

The Writer's Life

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Is it spring yet?

I was laughing with Mom the other day over a story from my childhood that has become a family memoir. We were driving through California during a very hot summer. I was probably about six years old and quite the whiney-hiney. Hard to imagine really.

The picture here is of my sister and I (I am the little one) posing in our Easter get-ups roundabout the same time as the California saga. It's not very good quality but you can get the general idea of what a Little Miss I was.

Anyway, here's the story. I'd been told we were heading for a place called Pismo Beach so every two seconds, I'd whine in my high-pitched, long-suffering, blue-eyed blonde-haired little voice, "Are we at Pismo Beach yet. Are we there yet?" This is the same trip where my sister and I scanned the freeway for movie stars and rock and roll singers, our little cheeks pressed up against the car windows as we drove through Los Angeles (we were certain we spotted Chubby Checker who sang our favourite song of the time, The Twist ... c'mon baby, let's do the twist ... etc).

So now I keep asking, "Is it spring yet? Is it?" and everyone's getting sick of my whining. But I'm sick of winter and this wet damp horror that is my front lawn and my slimy green decks that even the cats slide on and the metre man took a big sixer on the other day. Ooops.

But I am happy to say there are signs of the coming season everywhere. The blooms are out on the cherry trees and my valiant peach tree is boasting its little pink blossoms.

I was sustained through the worst of the winter by some very jolly events, not the least of which was my birthday in July. I enjoyed a wonderful bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne in the company of a very dear friend and a flying pig on an afternoon which was clement enough to sit outside. We hung out there for hours and it was a really delightful way to spend my birthday afternoon.

Work has also been exceptionally busy but with some lovely events as well. I had the good fortune to attend the launch (and write about it!) of the new Sweet Louise fundraiser Sweet Exchange at the Rock Cafe in Mt Roskill. A splendid evening of champagne and canapes prepared by resident chef extraordinaire Peter Chaplin ( he used to cook for Chrissy Hinde of The Pretenders and Madonna .. of course!) to inspire the guests to host their own Sweet Exchange occasion - it's a cool idea where you invite your mates along to an Exchange of consumables ... food, clothes, DVDs ... have a great time and exchange your products for donations. It's all on the Sweet Louise website - go have a look-see.

So alot of writing has been going on - plus plenty of really fun stuff! Tonight I am off to cover the Writer's Room event with NZ Film maker Gaylene Preston - she's talking about her latest film Home for Christmas .I finished a swag of articles for the

upcoming issue of Pink magazine plus a cascade of funding applications ... so have been taking a little time to catch up on my own writing (my Journal and of course The Book About Mom) and some reading too. Eh luxury!

 

Reviews

(Jane's books are available for purchase in the Store on this site or email Jane for more information)

The Pink Party

The Pink Party

RRP $20
Klarer Lasserre Books 2007

Review of The Pink Party by Jenni Scarlett

In The Pink Party, Jane writes a very descriptive account of her journey with breast cancer. Interwoven with her own personal experiences are the journey stories of two friends, Colleen and Manon. Colleen has advanced breast cancer and Manon has a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer, a cancer which has a poorer long term prognosis.

Jane writes a poignant story with openness and sensitivity about what it is like to be diagnosed with and to live with cancer. She writes of the vulnerabilities associated with loss of health, of coping with side effects of treatments and of the fears of cancer returning. Jane outlines the importance of hope, humour, living life in the moment and counting our blessings. Medical treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are without a doubt vital in the fight against cancer but Jane highlights other key factors in "treatment" - music, fun, laughter and friendship to name a few.

Colleen faces her progressing cancer with courage and dignity. She has difficult choices to make as hope is fading. It is hard to imagine how each of us would cope if we knew of our impending death. Would we have such courage? Jane captures frank and intimate discussions with both Colleen and Manon about death and dying and life and living. Jane shows how humour can be used to raise and cope with the serious issues of life after a cancer diagnosis - she lists the "Ten things to do before I cark it!"

The Pink Party is about the power of "sisterhood" and the empathy that breast cancer survivors have for each other. Pink is known as the colour of breast cancer, but Jane also calls it the colour of life and suggests "a really great party goes well with that." And to give what she terms "fear of recurrence" (FOR) a good kick in the bum, Jane writes, "Throw a party or have a vineyard lunch with the girls. You don't need a reason. There is much to be happy about these days so no shortage of excuses to kick up the heels. It drowns out that ill-mannered FOR troublemaker, raises the spirits and restores the courage."

This is a moving story and a beneficial read for women diagnosed with breast cancer or in fact any person diagnosed with cancer. It is an insightful book for caregivers and for those health professionals that are enlisted with the care of cancer patients. I would also recommend The Pink Party to "healthy" people, as it reminds us not to take our health or our lives for granted and to live each day as fully as we can. Perhaps we should all think about organising a Pink Party!

The Pink Party is endorsed by Sweet Louise and the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) and a donation from sales will be made to these organisations. To obtain a copy of The Pink Party, please visit the Store on this site.

Jenni Scarlet is a breast cancer research nurse at the Waikato Breast Care Centre, Hamilton. She is also a member of the ANZ Breast Cancer Trials Group and the secretary of The Waikato Breast Cancer Trust.


Welcome to the Amazon Club

Welcome to the Amazon Club

RRP $10
Longacre Press 2004

Excerpts from Reviews

Nelson Mail 2005
A cancer survivor's inspiring story

' As a member of the Amazon Club myself, I could relate readily to this account, and can assure readers - especially new members of the club, their supporters and health professionals - that it could well help them cope with this all too common condition.'

Wairarapa Times-Age 2004
Coping with cancer

'This could be a terribly depressing book. Cancer is, after all, such a big, scary subject. Instead, Bissell offers hope and inspiration to other people facing the same monster. And, like many other cancer survivors, she emerges stronger and more appreciative of life.

'A true Amazon.'

'Required reading for anybody facing a diagnosis of cancer, or supporting somebody in that situation.'

Marlborough Express 2004
Graphic story of breast cancer

'Everyone knows someone who has suffered from breast cancer - it's an insidious disease that affects far too many New Zealand women.

'Written in diary form, this book captures a year in Jane's life, from the time she discovers the lump until a year later when she gets the all clear. It's a devastatingly sad, yet uplifting book.

'A wonderful book for anyone going through a similar experience of for those who have friends with breast cancer.

'While incredibly sad, the Amazon Club is also a wonderful tale of bravery and strength and of a hard fought battle won. Highly recommended.'

The Beacon Issue 30 April 2005

'The main message I took from the book was that cancer can, paradoxically, create a window of opportunity to 'stop and smell the roses.' Jane's touching and candid account of her diagnosis, treatment and recovery left me wit a sense of hope and renewed appreciation of the 'here and now' for what it is.'

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