Written by Marci Greenberg Cox

In November of 2018, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. After coming to terms with the disease with my husband, immediate family, and close friends, I was left with the daunting task of informing my daughters, who were, at the time 5 and 1 years old, of what would lie ahead for me. My stepdaughter was 15 at the time so I had the task of telling her and to begin explaining how to check her breasts.

While undergoing an aggressive course of treatment, which included a double mastectomy without reconstruction surgery, chemotherapy which resulted in complete hair loss, and everything else related to the cancer, I spoke to my daughters openly and in a way that they could understand my disease and not feel threatened about possibly losing me.  My experiences and the way I fought through the difficult days of treatment led me to write the book, “Mommy Has a Boo-Boo”, about communicating a diagnosis of cancer to my daughters and how others with the same condition can convey the ultimate message being “Mommy may look different, and it will take time for Mommy to heal – but in the end, she will get better!”

From there my oldest daughter (age 5) still had questions and didn’t like the way I looked with no hair. I decided to then write a journal to go along with the book. “Mommy Has a Boo-Boo Now What?” was created to start discussions with your child. Children are so intuitive and have so many questions. They are just as scared as you are. This journal is a coloring/discussion/answer book which can be used alongside the children’s book or on its own.

When I was first diagnosed I had so many questions and was at a loss. My next book: “The Breast Cancer GPS” takes the fear of the unknown and puts it out there. From medical history to questions to ask doctors and tips and tricks to get through treatments this is a great book for the newly diagnosed.

Follow me at www.florpublishing.com and check out my books on Amazon.

Thank you, Solis Mammography for being My Hope Bag’s newest annual sponsor. Because of you, My Hope Bag can now supply 25 women who have little or no health insurance with a life-saving breast screening mammogram.  Early detection can save your life.

Solis Mammography Phoenix offers breast screening and diagnostic 3D mammography, computer-aided detection, breast ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound-guided biopsy, and bone density scanning – all in an environment uniquely designed to promote patient peace of mind.

Their dedicated breast health experts, combined with state-of-the-art technology, deliver the exceptionally accurate results you deserve and the highest levels of accuracy within the industry.

Your screening results are an important part of your experience with Solis Mammography, which is why they make sure you receive them as quickly as possible, typically within one to two business days after your exam.

Please be diligent in regularly scheduling your annual mammogram.  If you are without health insurance or don’t have enough to schedule your mammogram, please contact My Hope Bag. Our free mammogram program can help.