This little blog started in August of 2010 because a friend told me if I wanted to get my (still unfinished first book) published, I better start writing online and see if anyone wanted to read anything I had to say. I didn’t want to blog about cancer; instead I opted to write about the struggles and adventures AFTER cancer. So, with a little luck and some help from my friends, A Fresh Chapter was born.
Funny how life works, isn’t it? As Steve Jobs says in his Stanford Commencement Address, sometimes in life we can “only connect the dots backwards”. My first book is now on hold (I STILL have not heard a word from Oprah in response to the letter below) but writing A Fresh Chapter has inspired me to take huge leaps of faith and travel the world so I can continue to tell you stories about interesting places, people, and ideas. Click HERE to read some of the posts I have most enjoyed writing since I began blogging in August 2010.
One of the biggest challenges in my life involved picking up the pieces after cancer and figuring out how to move forward with my life. Searching for inspiration, I set off in the spring of 2011 on a six-week volunteer program in Cape Town with Cross-Cultural Solutions and my experience working with 1-3 year old children at an underfunded daycare in the Township of Langa changed me forever. As soon as I arrived, I Crashed Into Love and in all of my interactions, I had constant reminders that We Can Only Be Human Together
So what happened next? Well, I came back to Vancouver and packed up my belongings, gave up of my apartment, and hit the open road. I warmed up with a trip around North America to talk about a Big Hairy Audacious Dream of creating a foundation to help other cancer survivors volunteer internationally as a way of moving forward after cancer. I met with the CEOs/Directors of some of the biggest cancer support organizations in North America and they all agreed that we need to do more to help survivors. So, I took an even bigger leap of faith and am now on an Adventure of Hope. This six-month, five-continent trip will lay the groundwork for the future Fresh Chapter Foundation by giving me the chance to fully review seven different international volunteer organizations and form long-term partnerships with only those companies who have ethical volunteer practices, extensive in-country support, and excellent safety records.
Do you love to travel and want to catch up on what you’ve missed since I left Canada on January 10th. Here are links to my posts while on the road:
- GeoVisions in Vietnam
- Cross-Cultural Solutions in India
- GVN in Rwanda
- Independent Volunteering in Tanzania
- Pueblos Ingles in Spain
Want to come join me on the road? You can literally pack your bags and join me if you want to click HERE to check out the itinerary and the volunteer partners involved OR you can become part of the Fresh Chapter Tribe on Facebook, Twitter, or sign up on the right hand side of the site’s home page to get each post delivered directly to your inbox.
My brush with cancer taught me that life is short and we all deserve a chance to write a new story. If you believe in challenging yourself to take risks and walking through your fears, you are in the RIGHT PLACE my friend. Whether you have survived cancer, a heart wrenching break-up, or the death of a loved one, I hope we can continue to inspire each other to stay open to the possibilities that come with starting over.
If you want to see how is all began, here is the letter that I wrote to Oprah in June of 2010…
Dear Oprah,
You don’t know me yet, but I hope that one day you will. I am 31, single, and live in Vancouver, Canada. On October 27, 2009, life as I knew it ended. Perhaps the universe was trying to send me a message to slow down and question whether the stresses of my life were serving me. It worked. My diagnosis of breast cancer brought my career, my quest to meet the perfect man, and my obsession with slimming my hips to an abrupt halt.
The last six months have included a lumpectomy, lymph node dissection, four rounds of chemotherapy, and a bi-lateral mastectomy and those are just the bright, shiny clinical words. I have also contemplated issues surrounding my future fertility, stared at my bald head in the mirror, and experienced what feels like worst PMS of my life as well as the inability to remember even my own name (courtesy of the chemo drugs). The next six months involve procedures to transform my now flat chest back into a perkier version of its old self.
My story may not be unique, but I believe my journey could inspire many. My dream is to write a book. I believe that impacting people in a positive way is what I was put on this earth to do. I believe that the recent events in my life are opening a door to who I was always meant to become.
This isn’t just a book about cancer. This is a book about surviving hardship, but not identifying yourself as the victim…a book about using humour to laugh your way through terror…a book about the search for God or a deeper meaning to life, but not a religious book …a book about finding love in the strangest of places, but learning that someone else’s love can’t save you…a book about realizing that underneath all of the fear and shame we cloak ourselves in, we (even with all of our imperfections) really are enough.
I thought it might be fitting to ask the universe (and you) to help me. I am not an English major and have never written anything except emails and the odd high school essay. I would be grateful if by telling my story I might meet people that can help me navigate this new chapter in my life.
Terri
I read your piece in network news and then wandered over here. I have been a writer in one form or another for my whole life, starting when I was about 10 years old and the teacher picked my story to read to the class as an example (a good example, not bad!). Since then, I’ve done a lot of different writing — journalism, speeches, creative non-fiction, fiction etc. etc. Even though my career has moved beyond strictly writing, it remains a central theme of my life, one of my greatest joys, and a core skill that I apply to everything I do. I get pretty self-conscious when I attempt to assert myself as a good writer — much too Canadian to make such a claim — but I don’t feel nearly as inhibited about my skills in recognizing good writing. I’m not too modest to say that I’m very good at that. All this is to say that I quite like your writing, and am actually surprised that it is not something you have actively studied and practiced. At the heart, all good writing is about tempo, and you seem to get that beautifully. Your writing is warm, personal and engaging, with a little side order of whimsy. It should find a broad audience. In fact, I’m surprised someone from the O empire didn’t write back. Oh well, never mind them! Best of luck with it, and have fun.
Leslie,
Thank you so much for your comments. They mean the world to me. I am in the midst of recovering from surgery right now, but when my energy comes back, I would love to connect with you further and hear more about your writing career/read some of your work. Thanks again!
Terri
Good luck with your recovery. Most of my writing has blown away on the wind. We live in an age of impermanence. Even the best writing goes out of print quickly, or never even gets into print. I have a box full of yellowing articles at home from my days as a reporter, and bits and pieces of my writing can be found here and there on the Internet I suppose. I won a short story competition a couple of years ago here: http://carletonnow.carleton.ca/april-2009/truing-kate/ and I maintain a journal on http://www.livejournal.com. If you aren’t part of the livejournal family, you should consider it (gives you lots of opportunity for distraction when you should be doing more productive things, like writing something!). But seriously, livejournal is full of exceptional writers, many of whom do not realize they are writers. People who don’t have writing in their hearts and minds don’t usually last long on LJ — you see their abandoned journals all over the place. And then you get the die-hards who stay forever. I tell them they are writers, and they just say, bah, what, me a writer? Nah. I think you would be right at home there — and I am sure they have a substantial community of interest in breast cancer.
Hi Terri. I saw your link on yTravel Blog’s facebook page and wandered over. Your story is inspirational and you obviously are a great writer. Boo to Oprah for not writing you back, maybe she was busy starting her own tv network or something (not that that’s any excuse). Ha! Anyway, I’ll be following along on your journey, just wanted to say hello.
Kim,
Thank you so much for saying hello. I had the chance to check out your blog as well and it sounds like the two of you have amazing adventures planned. I look forward to keeping in touch and trading stories. Take care, Terri
Hi Terri,
I was really happy to reconnect with you on facebook after all these years. I am so sorry that you are going through breast cancer. But you are remaining positive which is the most important thing!
My mom has also gone through breast cancer as well as a malignant brain tumor, both time dealing with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. She is a survivor.
You taking the time to write this blog is an inspiration to so many people! Stay positive:) It is truly amazing what a positive attitude does for us!
Keep trying to reach Oprah…try Dr.Phil….get your story out there. It is therapeutic not only for yourself, but for countless others as well.
I remember you as being a very nice person, even though we only knew eachother in grades 3+4. You were always so nice to me. You are truly a great person. I have a lot of happy memories of elementary school with you, and that is thanks to you. You were assinged to “show me the ropes” so to speak, since I was new to the school. You did a great job, made me feel welcome, and comfortable at school. Thanks for that:)
Take care,
-Tricia
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Terri,
I spoke with you once, about two & half years ago. A common contact between us (Tracy Drew) referred me to you. I was trying to locate a job in Vancouver and move from Saskatchewan. You took the time to go over my resume, ask questions and give me samples to make it better. I was new to the concept of making a killing resume. It was because of the time you spent and the samples you provided that I was able to put things together in a fashion that will be eye-catching. I ended up working with a colleague of yours (Mirra) later and after 6 to 8 months landed a contract in Vancouver. You were always on my mind as the first person who took that time to help (most recruiters don’t bother). I moved to Vancouver finally about 1.5 year ago and landed a great contract and now continue to work here. I saw your profile on Linkedin and it directed me to your blog. It is inspiring to see where you are and what you have chosen to do. Just wanted to say that I will always remember you as that nice recruiter who cared enough to help rather than tossing me aside. You definitely made an impact on me.
Best of Luck,
Sogol
Sogol,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am so happy to hear from you and to know that you made it to Vancouver and are loving your contract. I appreciate your support and I hope we stay connected. All the best. Terri
Hi Terri,
I was generally blog crawling and happened to chance upon your blog. There are two things you have written that stand out for me:
1. “I believe that impacting people in a positive way is what I was put on this earth to do. ” – This is exactly what I believe and what I tell my friends and what I write for in my blog.
2. “I believe we all have a story to tell and I would love to hear yours.” – I recently read somewhere that In life you either have an excuse or a story. So you have already eliminated the excuse, bravo!
All the best for your book and may the forces be with you
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing a bit of your story. All the best for you too!
Greetings, Terri!
I absolutely LOVE your blog, the corresponding Facebook page, and your incredibly inspiring spirit and presence! I, too, have experienced a life-changing journey: as an otherwise healthy wife and mother of three, I suddenly experienced kidney “dis-ease” (possibly brought on by lupus) and did dialysis for nearly four years before receiving my successful kidney transplant in November (28th, 2011 to be exact!) I also decided to finally write a book to encourage, inspire, and empower anyone who happened to be shifting through an unexpected and challenging experience! I am now in the process of editing so that I can publish it very soon!
I have come to know that all things are indeed possible, and that we have an endless reservoir of Possibility and Power that lies within awaiting our decision to ignite it. It is this belief that I see in your incredible (and on-going) journey and experience! You are an inspiration simply by being. In fact, I know that I was guided to your site! I was actually “liking” another page, and your blog happened to be on her FB page. My intention when I opened my laptop this morning was to start A BLOG that would share the same purpose as my forthcoming book and my Facebook Page, and here you are as a wonderful example!
Please respond when you can. I would love to stay in contact.
Divine and Unending Peace, Blessings, and Prosperity be yours, my new friend,
Candice
Candice,
It is so fantastic to meet you and I am so happy to hear about your journey and your recovery. Each of us have a story and we never know how powerful it can be for others for us to share that store. I could not agree more. with your statement. “We all have an endless reservoir of possibility and power that lies within awaiting our decision to ignite it”. Thank you so much for your kind words about my journey. I appreciate the support and encouragement – especially on the tougher days. I’m excited for you to set up your blog and fulfill all of your personal dreams. I can’t wait to hear more about your book and to have the chance to read it, once it’s published. I’m working on a book or two of my own and I know what a MASSIVE undertaking it is. Thank you so much for reaching out and I wish you so much LOVE and LIGHT.
All the best on your continued journey.
Terri
Hi Terri. I am new to the world of ‘breast cancer blogging’ (though I hope that my blog will come to be about much more than that – as yours most certainly is!). After eight months of treatment that took me away from my (brand new) home in the tropical zone of Australia, I am now back and trying to figure out where things go from here. I’m happy to say that after Step 1 (setting up of blog to help form connections) will come Stage 2 – a family adventure in Bali! I stumbled upon your blog and have been very inspired by what I’ve read so far. I’ll go now to ‘like’ you on FB (!) and will be back to follow your journey.
Cheering you on from Darwin…
Liz
Liz,
Thank you so much for the comment. It is wonderful to meet you and I can absolutely relate to the challenge of figuring out “where to go from here” when treatment ends. I look forward to keeping in touch and checking out your blog, once I have faster and more reliable access to Internet. Enjoy your family adventure to Bali and chat with you soon!
Terri