The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery: Lessons Learned Along the Path to Healing

www.tammyspeaks.com

What people are saying about The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery and the Author…..

My mom rocks!

--Tiffany D. Earnest, Nashville, TN

Yeah, that’s my Mom, the author, and I am very proud!!!

-- Lacey Earnest, Altoona, PA

When I need inspiration I call Tammy. She is truly the light of my life, and my favorite daughter – and her brothers know it! My favorite quote is, Life is uncertain - eat dessert first. In the pages of this book, Tammy exemplifies embracing each day, in fact, each moment and I am very proud to be her M.O.M.

-- Mom On a Mission. -- Ruth G. Miller, MOM

Tammy is one of the most caring people that I know. One of my favorite quotes is People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This quote is the very nature of Tammy - something you will readily see for yourself after reading this book. Even through her own personal journey with breast cancer, she was reaching out to others. This book is a tribute to how she opens her heart and is constantly giving to those around her. Walking down this path with Tammy, and watching how she handled the situation, has taught me more about caring for others. Through this journey, Tammy has helped me more than I could have possibly helped her - she is a very special person!

-- Mary Rogers, aka the Pinkie Swear friend

What a blessing The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery is to people dealing with life challenges. I have given several copies of her books to people in my life facing a variety of difficulties, and each has learned more about the value of humor in the healing process. You can’t help but be blessed by the book you now hold in your hands.

-- Anita Thies

Warm, inspiring, and informative. Tammy shares valuable lessons from her cancer recovery that will help anyone facing this difficult journey, or any other medical crisis or challenge.

-- Bruce Einfalt

Tammy Miller has the unique ability to find sunshine in a galaxy of black holes. Actually, Tammy IS the sunshine. With so much pain and anxiety in this world, how refreshing to know she has the allure to make us laugh (even guffaw) at life’s twists and turns. Tammy’s version of finding the lighter side of breast cancer proves that life is worth living, loving and laughing.

-- Sharon A. Hill, President,

Sharon Hill International, www.sharonhillinternational.com

THANK YOU for a great presentation. I thought it was a great day and was so glad to have finally met you!!!! I am laughing as I write this – thanks for the reminder.

-- Pat McGettigan, MS, The Wellness Community

I really feel that Tammy is a true Angel placed on earth for the purpose of helping people. One way Tammy shows this is in her book, which I recommend highly to anyone. In her book you will see the way Tammy looks at the world and her way of dealing with a difficult situation, that being with a smile on her face and the joy of laughter. She showed me that you can’t change what’s happening you can only change the way you handle the situation. She was there for me in every way from recommending her doctor (she even contacted him about me), answering any questions I had, supplying me with a clown noses for my visits, surprising me prior to my surgery with clown noses and kazoo’s in hand and the list goes on. Wonderful book, story and person!

-- Linda Scerbo

After reading Tammy’s book, I came away with a different view on going through breast cancer (I wish I could have read it before going through my breast cancer treatment). Tammy is a wonderful author, a hilarious clown, and a friend. She has inspired me in more ways than one.

-- Phyllis Shehan

This book is a must have for anyone who encounters any type of cancer (or other disease). It not only gives you a peek into the heart and mind of a patient, but it is also an awesome resource. It offers pertinent medical questions for you to use when your mind is too overloaded to even think past your diagnosis and it is like having your homework done for you.

--Toni Parker, Radiation Therapist, CMD, Mount Nittany Medical

I never tire of Tammy's unique perspective on life and her boundless enthusiasm. She leaves smiles on the faces of all who encounter her! Also, I lent your Lighter Side book to my mom, and I thought you might like to hear what she said: By the way, I did read Tammy's book. So enjoyed her humor. Was a fast/page turner book. I can tell from the book that she is a real KEEPER as a friend.

-- Kimberly Wilson Fragola

Tammy's beauty is not just on the outside. She is authentic, inspirational and is highly respected where ever she goes. I have been one of the lucky ones to have met this woman!

-- Annette The Shy Buster!

Creator of the Shy Busters! Programs, www.shybusters.com

Tammy is a true champion and a model of using adversity as a steppingstone (rather than a stumbling block). You are a champion & a model for others. May you continue to be an inspiration to all of the folks who really need the encouragement and a great example.

-- Rick Capozzi, Founder & President, CapozziGroup,

www.CapozziGroup.com

Tammy speaks from the heart and engages the audience. Her messages are powerful, and they are presented in such a way that they are easy to remember and implement. I heard her Just JUMP speech, where Tammy talks about getting jazzed, being positive, and just jumping into life. Tammy has inspired me to be unique and to love who I am. If you are thinking about booking her as a speaker, don't think about it...just do it! You will not be disappointed, and neither will your audience.

-- Karin Kusumakar

What a wonderful, uplifting, informative piece of writing. It is not that Tammy gives you earth-shattering information that you could not think of or find yourself. She GUIDES you; she makes you get there faster! It is the TONE in which she gives you the valuable information. It is her ATTITUDE with which she shares her stress, fears and frustrations. Her solutions might not be for everyone, but they OPEN eyes and minds to other options" of dealing with an illness that still brings about the fear of death despite the many wonderful cures that are out there in ever growing numbers. The clown and the patient blend beautifully without laughing away the essentials, without putting down the scary parts we have to face and live through as breast cancer patients.

Tammy manages to clear the woods in which you can get lost while you are looking for the best road to your own recovery, and she does it in a wonderful and caring manner. She draws you into her personality and guides you with a smile and a tear. Her hiring of the H-Team, was just brilliant! I wish I had had access to The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery while I was looking for the right oncologist, the right radiologist and the right form of treatment for my case."

-- Heske L. Zelermyer, CLL, Columbus, Ohio

The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery is much more than one woman’s journey through breast cancer. This book is a resource for anyone facing a diagnosis of cancer who wishes to incorporate humor, practical solutions and healing messages into their or their loved one’s treatment. Tammy Miller is a one woman comet - her energy and joy for life inspire.

-- Aileen Schulman Galley, ACSW, LSW Administrative Director,

Penn State Cancer Institute at Mount Nittany Medical Center

This book was so timely for our family. My brother-in-law had just been diagnosed with cancer, and the encouragement to surround yourself with positive thinkers’ was key to his successful treatment. I know that he did not have breast cancer, but your book is universal, Tammy - I only wish that my mom had been so lucky!

--Linda Young

I wish I would have had your book to read before I had any treatment. I never educated myself and left everything up to my doctor. It just would have been nice to know that I had options. Also, I would have felt that there really was hope, which is what your book is about.

--Renee Schick, Renee’s Survivor Shop, Toledo, OH

www.rsurvivorshop.com

I met you at the Penn State Hershey Women's Leadership Summit. I wanted to take the time to tell you what an inspiration you were for me and, I am sure, the other women in attendance. Your enthusiasm and imbedded humor is wonderful. I am so grateful that I was able to attend.

-- Lori Ricard

Tammy Miller has a wonderful way of talking about a sensitive issue like breast cancer and making it light. She has a unique and delightful style of sharing this part of her life with her readers. This was a very informative and helpful book and was very difficult to put down. Thank you for taking us along your journey, and for a wonderful resource of information!

-- Faithann Karge

I liked that you did your research and talked to the doctors about your options. All women should do the same. It does not make any difference if it is breast surgery or childbirth. Lesson 11 was great-your remark to the person that called you a freak was priceless. Lesson 15. Standing up for what you believe and finding another answer for what the doctors say you have to have done and convincing them that there is another option. Of course, all of us who have waited for 30 minutes to 2 hours for a doctor will appreciate not having to wear a gown while we are waiting. I liked the way you talked about your faith while on your journey. Laughing is truly healing!

--Dolores Miller RN, BSN,LCCE, FACCE, CD (Dona)

What a wonderful idea to bring some humor to the reality of breast cancer. Tammy has done a great service to those who suffer from the sadness of breast cancer.

-- Vivian Stallfus

Tammy is right on when she talks about humor during breast cancer treatment. As an eight year survivor of the disease, I encourage my family to look for things to laugh whenever possible.

-- Trish Williams

Tammy Miller is a fighter, a cancer survivor, and a writer who sees humor in situations where the rest of us, in similar circumstances, could not. Her book is a tribute to her determination to help other cancer patients by sharing experiences which are of interest to everyone who has ever attended a doctors surgery with this complaint.

-- Ted Corcoran, Past International President,

Toastmasters International, Dublin, Ireland, www.theleadershipbus.com

"Tammy is an amazingly inspiring and uplifting person who has written just such a book. I’ve given a copy to everyone I know who is fighting this horrible disease.

-- Jennie L. Symonds

"I just want to thank-you for the opportunity to read and to have this book. I enjoyed the book so much. Your writing skills made me feel like I was going through each step with you. This book is a wonderful book to have, if anyone I meet gets diagnosed with breast cancer this is a must read. Your honesty and humor throughout your entire ordeal had a great impact on me, as well as anyone I would have read this.

Your sense of humor, your approach to keep smiling and laughing will undoubtedly have a great impact on many, many people.

Major Congrats on putting something out there that is not just facts and medical info, but also a refreshing way of taking an awful situation and keeping such a wonderful sense of what is important and a remarkable sense a self. I feel many people in my lifetime will benefit from this! Not even people diagnosed with cancer but any disease. Your message was loud and clear. You are a remarkable person. Thank you, so much for this!!"

-- Laurie L. Aquilino RN, General Clinical Research Center,

Pennsylvania State University

WOW!! The presentation was fabulous! Everyone is raving about it!

-- Edie Binkley, Region Manager, Lia Sophia Jewelry

What a morning Saturday was! I saw nothing but smiling faces as people left the program. Thank you for sharing your talents and helping us all how to lighten up a little (or a lot in some cases). I am so glad that I finally met you and I enjoyed every moment!

-- Deb Ross

Tammy Miller is blessed with many talents. When faced with adversity here motto is, When life gives you pink clown noses, wear them proudly, because some people have no clown noses at all. She inspires masses with her wit.

-- John Poorman, Author,

www.no-urnotalone.com

"Tammy knows how to live! She creates her own G force that blew me away. Fun, bubbly, exciting, charismatic, a real can do lady. Whatever it was that was needed Tammy accommodated and hey, she has leopard print seats in her sports car! Tammy you rock.

-- Olivia Schofield, Top Woman Speaker, World Championship of

Public Speaking 2011. www.oliviaschofield.com

Acknowledgments

There are so many people who worked to make this book happen and it is a blessing that you now hold in your hand the third edition of this publication.

This book has my name on the front cover, but it is truly God’s project. Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessings that have accompanied this book, and the fantastic people I have met along the path. Always keep me mindful of Proverbs 3: 5-6 on this great adventure of life!

To my beautiful daughters, Lacey and Tiffany. You are two of the most incredible young women. Trust in the Lord and believe in yourself on your own great adventures! We have been through a lot together, but God has provided us with so many blessings, and always brings us through to the sunshine. I love you more than you could possibly know!

To my mother, Ruth, or should I say M.O.M. (Mom on a Mission). You are my biggest cheerleader and I love you! You are one fantastic woman - thank you!

To my father, Jim, my brothers, Jim and Mike, Angie, Art Wismer, and other family members who were there to support me along the way. There is really no way that words on a page could express how much gratitude I have for all of you for everything you have done for me. From love when I needed it most, to understanding and support on the great days, and less than great days, to your financial assistance to make this book happen. Each day I thank God for giving me your loving presence. You are the greatest - I thank you all and love you!

To my dear, pinky swear friend, Mary. Mary, we both know your Mom and God worked out quite a plan to bring us together in this crazy world of clowning! I thank God each day for you and the blessings you have brought to my life. You truly are an Angel. I love it when a plan comes together!

Each day I am thankful for all of my wonderful friends. You were there when I needed you most with support, love, food, and even snow shoveling when I was unable to do it! Thank you for looking for the brightest side of everything as we walked along the path together! To all of you - I thank you.

To Aaron Bleznak for saving my life. You went above and beyond your job to show compassion and concern for me as your patient, and now, my friend. In the words of one of your favorite philosophers, Peter Parker, With power comes great responsibility. I thank you for taking on the responsibility to help breast cancer patients, and for being there when I needed you the most along my path to healing.

To all the people who prayed for me as I traveled on this journey. Thank you for keeping me lifted in prayer through the big concerns as well as the teeny-tiny concerns! Our God truly is an AWESOME God – thank you for your love!

To all of the wonderful healthcare providers that God placed on my path. This may be your job, but the love and compassion that you showed went far beyond the job and was so greatly appreciated. Thank you for making this journey more bearable!

To Sandie Biddle (Flying Pig Creative Services) and Linda Young (EagleEye Editors) for their wonderful editing efforts. If there are any errors in this book, they are clearly from the sections I did – you two are awesome!!!

To Ryan and Bo and the great staff at EBookit !! These guys are GREAT! Check them out for printing, publishing, electronic formats, conversion, distribution, etc. www.ebookit.com

Foreword

I felt honored when Tammy Miller asked me to compose a forward to the newest edition of her book, The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery. After all, I have