Chemo Cat

Author and Illustrator Cathy Nilon has created the book that she wished had been available to share with her young son when she was first diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in the fall of 2004. There were no programs available for his age group; the family had no mental health coverage to help deal with the trauma. Cathy decided to write one, and began sketching while still bald. Chemo Cat is the account of the pain-filled journey of her family, told in the voice of her son Luca who was four years old at the time. This book hopes to bridge the gap for families with children as to how to deal with the news of this awful illness. Luca and Mama cat, aka Cat-Cat, personified as a family of cats, take you through the emotions and realities of that most difficult time. It is meant to open a dialog with children without adding to their fears. It explains the changes they can expect when their mother loses her hair and is sick from chemotherapy and can't be with them all the time. The story is real and all too common. It should prove also, to be emotionally helpful for the child and the whole family. The author's net proceeds will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.