T hree and a half years ago I was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Ten years ago my husband, Carlo was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Eight years ago we lost ten family members within a one year time period.

For all of the above reasons I decided to write this book because as my mother has always said there is a flip side to every situation. For me the flipside of all the pain has been an awareness and desire to be present in my “treasured moments”.”When I was diagnosed with cancer it was a complete and unexpected shock. Unexpected because everyone who knows me knows the great lengths I go to, to eat healthy, buy healthy, and be healthy. When my Doctor delivered the bad news I was speechless and without words, only tears. As the news started to sink in, like many others who have gotten the same news I started to think about my “bucket list”. What were the most important things that I simply had to do if my time had run out.
For me it was not a hot air balloon ride, or sky diving, or traveling the world. For me, it was recognizing and savoring the special moments both by myself and with others. Not the big extravaganza moments (although those are wonderful) but more the quiet simple moments that too often are missed because of the busyness of life and frantic pace everyone’s’ world seems to operate in. I will say quite honestly the saddest moment for me was the realization I would not see my grandchildren get married or grow into adulthood. I would not see my son walk his daughters down the aisle, or watch my daughter dance with her sons at their weddings. These are the thoughts that made me weep uncontrollably. Now 3 and a half years since the diagnosis and the surgery, I am feeling pretty good. Optimism has been born again within me, and I am hopeful I will see each of them grow into adulthood. The realization that one must stop to appreciate “ treasured moments” grows ever stronger in my life. Just like choosing the right foods on a daily basis, one must stop and choose to be present to catch the “good stuff”, not just wait “for the big stuff”.
I love catching a treasured moment because the more I catch the more I find. So through the pain has come a wonderful new awareness and in writing this book I hope to share it with you and may it also be a catalyst for you to recognize and appreciate your own treasured moments. With love and appreciation for everyday and every moment
Susie Palmieri

After cancer the first time you realize there is no Pain in your body