Come join me and some of my fabulous author friends for Georgia Romance Writers Author Book Signing, Meet and Greet which will be held on Saturday October 2, 2021 from 4-5pm. This event is open to the public!

Some people walk around with stories in their head. Maybe you could create a story about my duck friend, a duck I met while on a trip to Walt Disney World. Or, maybe you’ve passed a stranger on the sidewalk and all of the sudden you’ve given him or her a backstory and are working on his goal, motivation and conflict.

If you’ve got a story that needs to be told, consider entering the Taking Flight contest that is currently open for entries through my publisher Winged Publications.

Entries should be clean fiction or inspirational.

Deadline to enter the contest is March 31, 2021.

Take that leap and enter here.

It’s the end of October, which is known for all things Autumn and is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I don’t want to be defined by a past illness, but I couldn’t let this month slip by without reminding everyone to keep up with your current medical checks. Breast Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can attack men, too. Keep up with your physician and take care of yourself.

Here’s my story…

In May of 2018, at the age of 43, I finally gave in to a nagging urge to go to the doctor. I hadn’t been to see a primary care physician in four years. Hey, I wasn’t sick. I felt fine. I stayed busy: working, not cooking at home enough/indulging in fast food. My husband and I juggled everything –  who did what for the children, running them here and there – I didn’t have time to go to the doctor for just a general check-up.

Well, by May, I had been ignoring a lump in my left breast for quite some time. I believe a woman’s intuition is a real thing. I believe that God gives us nudges sometimes. He doesn’t stop until we take action. I made an appointment with a brand new PCP, vowing to return every year for general check-ups. I was still patting myself on the shoulder when I arrived for my mammogram appointment the following week. Since my concerns involved my breast, my doctor ordered a mammogram and an ultrasound. She assured me if the mammogram was clear, there would not be a need for the ultrasound.

This mammogram was my first. It’s awkward. It doesn’t really hurt, but it’s just something you have to do. Believe me, you should have your mammogram, as recommended by your doctor. You need to do this because you don’t have to have a history of breast cancer to have it.

For me, my mammogram was followed by an ultrasound. When the ultrasound was complete, the technician asked that I wait in the room while she went to speak with the radiologist. I waited alone, wrapped in a soft robe, studying the details of the room. There was an image of a cherry blossom tree on the ceiling and the white and red hues from the ceiling light through that image were really the only light in the room. A few minutes later, the radiologist came into the room. He sat down inches from me and told me he was very concerned by the mammogram and ultrasound and I should take action as soon as possible. He advised me he would notify my primary doctor to schedule a breast MRI right away.

The following week, on a Monday, I went for the MRI that morning. Later that afternoon, my primary care doctor called me. The diagnostic report confirmed I had breast cancer.

Please know, aside from the lumps I found in my left breast, I had no other indications there was anything wrong. My blood work was perfect. Other than being overweight, I felt fine. Sometimes, cancer does not hurt. Especially at its onset.

My first surgery was in July to insert a chemo port on my upper chest. A few days later, I went for my first chemotherapy. A couple of weeks later, my hair began to fall out and my husband ended up shaving my head. I tried wearing wigs, but those tended to itch my head and felt hot. It was summer, and I live in the south, so we normally do not get a break from the heat until late fall. I ended up investing in soft hats and wore those daily. People look at you funny when you wear those, or they try to appear that they’re not looking at you. Eventually, you get used to it.

By December of 2018, I had a left mastectomy. I’ve learned from other ladies who had one surgery and the physician did everything all at once from removal of the cancerous tissue to reconstruction. I wasn’t well enough to go through all of that at one time. I am thankful that my general surgeon recognized that. At first, I was irritated that I couldn’t have more done at once, but as my journey continued, I realized the doctor had my best interests in mind.

By January 2019 I began taking a pill form of chemo from January to June. Xeloda was a mean form of chemo. Instead of hair loss, I dealt with hand and foot syndrome where my feet and hands were super red and my feet blistered. My oncologist altered my dosage so that I could continue to live comfortably and work.

Yes, work. I was determined to continue working as a claims adjuster during my time of chemotherapy. If I had to do it all over again, I’d take more time to let my body rest.

By August of 2019, I began radiation. The thought of radiation was harder than it actually was. As when I was pregnant, well-meaning people tend to share horror stories. I’m not one of those who feels sharing a bad story is necessary. For me, I had 33 treatments. That breaks down to going to radiation five days a week for a little over six weeks. I used a prescribed cream to help the burning my skin eventually experienced, however the worst part came at the end. I made it. I rang the bell when I was done and I am done.

By November of 2019, along the same time as my first book released, I went in for surgery for the right mastectomy and to insert expanders which was preparing my body for an eventual surgery for implants which happened in March 2020.

It has been a long journey, one I learned a lot, and began to appreciate the care of others even more. I found out the true meaning of a “Get Well” card from people I didn’t know. I was shown grace and love by family and church family in bringing food, by their prayers and by just reaching out to ask how I was doing.

Obviously, I am not a medical professional, and every person’s case is different. I wanted to share my journey to show you what you may be able to avoid, or to share my journey which could be different than another person’s path. The bottom line is, if you have an issue, get it checked. I believe God gave us many gifts and intelligence to help one another. Physicians can’t help you unless you reach out. Don’t delay.

I haven’t read this, but I assure you, Mary Connealy never disappoints. She’s the type of writer you want to buy the whole series of books and if you loan them out, your name is in the corner to make sure you get the book back. Definitely a keeper.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Out Of Control Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011) by Mary Connealy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.

The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie’s Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she’s one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Julia Gilliland has always been interested in the natural world around her. She particularly enjoys her outings to the cavern near her father’s homestead, where she explores for fossils and formations, and plans to write a book about her discoveries. The cave seems plenty safe–until the day a mysterious intruder steals the rope she uses to find her way out.

Rafe Kincaid has spent years keeping his family’s cattle ranch going, all without help from his two younger brothers, who fled the ranch–and Rafe’s controlling ways–as soon as they were able. He’s haunted by one terrible day at the cave on a far-flung corner of the Kincaid property, a day that changed his life forever. Ready to put the past behind him, he plans to visit the cave one final time. He sure doesn’t expect to find a young woman trapped in one of the tunnels–or to be forced to kiss her!

Rafe is more intrigued by Julia than any woman he’s ever known, but how can he overlook her fascination with the cave he despises? And when his developing relationship with Julia threatens his chance at reconciliation with his brothers, will he be forced to choose between the family bonds that could restore his trust and the love that could heal his heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Out Of Control, go HERE.

Watch the book trailer: