Mother and author, Sandra Evans has launched her inspiring
book Eight Seasons, with the support of the Leukaemia
Foundation and the International Program of Psycho-Social Health
Research.
Eight Seasons is an intensely personal account of
Sandra's family's journey with childhood leukaemia.
When Sandra's beautiful and exuberant daughter, Tahlia was just
four years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia, a rapidly progressing form of childhood cancer.
Throughout the family's journey from the gut wrenching diagnosis,
treatment and recovery, Sandra kept a journal outlining the
devastating impact of the disease and the incredible strength and
courage required to keep going.
Sandra said, "A diagnosis of leukaemia or blood cancer has
devastating effects on any family. It is an arduous journey and
sometimes it is hard to see light at the end of a very long tunnel.
My hope with this book is that it will be a gift of
security-assisting parents in foreseeing what may be around the
corner, with a child on chemotherapy, and offering an insight into
how we as parents coped."
"During our journey with Tahlia, I was reassured by the journeys
of others who had been down the same road. My hope is that it may
help give air to some of the many emotions, we as parents feel but
often cannot express. Knowledge is comfort, and hopefully this book
will provide some comfort, for parents/carers of children on
chemotherapy, with adjusting to the reality of living with a child
with cancer. My hope is to let parents know that they are not
alone."
The International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research
(IPP-SHR) at Central Queensland University has supported Sandra in
her vision to create a book which would help other families through
the emotional journey of a leukaemia diagnosis.
Dr Pam McGrath, Director, IPP-SHR said, "When I first read the
manuscript I had just completed a five year longitudinal study
documenting the psycho-social impact of childhood leukaemia on
patients and their families."
"Everything Sandra Evans wrote about from her own experience
resonated with the findings from the study. I could see
immediately that the book was going to be an excellent resource
which could help to normalise the experience for other
families."
Director of Support Services at the Leukaemia Foundation of
Queensland, Barbara Hartigan says that Eight Seasons is an
engrossing read and a valuable resource for other families who face
the awful prospect of childhood cancer.
"Sandra Evans, like most mothers never expected to have to deal
with the terrifying journey of childhood leukaemia. Unfortunately,
a child can be diagnosed with a life threatening form of leukaemia
at any age, leaving the whole family shocked and devastated. Sandra
has had the immense courage to document her personal experience of
the tremendous highs and lows associated with the deadly battle to
beat the disease," said Mrs Hartigan.
"Eight Seasons will give some insight, lots of
information and encouragement to other families who are forced to
go on this traumatic journey, and some hope that they will be able
to summon the strength to get through it."
Eight Seasons will
be available at the Central Queensland University online book shop
for $23.95 with the proceeds going to psycho-social research.
Purchase the
book today!