K-A's Memoir: It's Probably Nothing

http://itsprobablynothing.org/

"It's Probably Nothing" is my personal story of having ductal carcinoma in  situ, the earliest form of breast cancer. The title refers to what was said to me by many  well meaning doctors, x-ray technicians, nurses, receptionists, surgeons, friends and  family. This webpage was created to bring comfort and support, bringing together some of the  many resources available to you in regards to breast cancer and life decisions that  surround this disease...

The Journey Begins...
Some people think of me as a country girl while others think of me as a city
girl. The truth is I am both. I was born in the bay area and raised in the central
valley. I spent my post adolescent years in Long Beach, California, Hamburg,
Germany, and San Francisco. In many ways I have traveled full circle in my life.
One way I have traveled is through the literal journey of moving from town to
town and another way is documenting my experiences through my journal
writing. I saw this particular journal as a piece of my emotional journey through
ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS. This narrative is still a work in progress for
me, but I like the raw feel to the words because it may help others to know they
are not alone. I felt an urgency to share this experience with others so that they
would be encouraged to have a healthy attitude and to not be afraid to share their
story. My story takes place in October 2001 where I was in my fourth year of
teaching at South San Francisco High School.

Before Reading "It's Probably Nothing" (All Rights Reserved)  please read this... Foreward by Kory O’Rourke Karol-Ann Coleman’s Its Probably Nothing is an important piece of writing.  Chronicling her journey into, through, and beyond DCIS, I am amazed that  Karol-Ann had the presence of mind, body, heart, and spirit to get so much  of what was (and is) happening to her written down.  Of course, that makes this work such a treasure now,  For those of us going through a DCIS journey, those of us who love those going through it,  and even those of us who themselves have been  untouched by DCIS, but who are very much touched by this woman’s story.  This is a testament to how strong a person  Karol-Ann is, as well as a testament to the power of writing,  as Karol-Ann used these writings as catharsis.  (What a great encouragement to other women to chronicle their own journeys!)  The wonderful depth of her work also strikes me.  As you read, you always feel as if you are standing next to her,  holding her hand in a doctor’s office, sitting at a table with her  family. Karol-Ann’s writing draws you in to her experience, at times reassuringly,  and at times holding you within that experience, without a chance to escape.  As I finished reading the piece, I had so many congratulations, and so much  praise for Karol-Ann’s work.  I am still not entirely sure she is aware of what she has accomplished.  However, one of the brightest characteristics of this writing is what makes  it so complex,  and so unique.  As you read the amazing journey of  Karol-Ann (and her husband Michael),  you will notice that she shifts from a present tense, to past, and back again.  There are sections directly transcribed from Karol-Ann’s journals  (the pieces that are in italics and mostly in the present tense),  while Karol-Ann wrote other sections when she had the time to reflect  and accept the events that were occurring around  her, and to her. As she moves through the story,  some of the writing is intensely intimate, while other sections of her  writing are more distant. I truly believe it is this progression that is the greatest  representation of Karol-Ann’s journey.  For as she moved through this time of her life, Karol-Ann  was herself at times unable to engage fully with what was  happening, while other times fully aware of the insights of her life.  My words to Karol-Ann are the same as my words to  the reader – this is an amazing journey, told through a  variety of time frames, and differing closeness to the subject; the  writing is this way because the journey is this way.  And that is what makes this writing truly something wonderful.