Overcoming Writing Challenges Amid Cancer Treatments
For DD Sterner, writing became a steady source of peace and purpose. Her story invites us to see creativity as a way to keep moving forward, even through life’s hardest seasons.
Writing has always been my passion. Throughout my nursing career I wrote numerous articles for nursing and fitness magazines. I also wrote two novels that I never completed. Between raising kids, then helping with the grandkids, working as a nurse, fitness instructor, and personal trainer, I never found the time. But my real passion was to write a mystery series similar to Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. After retiring from nursing, I dusted off those old manuscripts and started rewriting – then I was diagnosed with cancer. Stage four Pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver – three to six months to live was the prognosis. This clinical analysis did not fit into my retirement plans! At stage four, treatment was slim and mostly experimental. How could I write with such a grave diagnosis. Would I be capable? Would I find the time in the mist of my illness? As a nurse, I knew what lied ahead, the sickness I would experience, the numerous challenges, and the ongoing treatments. But I wasn’t ready to give up. Besides my faith, there were several strategies I implemented that helped me persevere and allowed me to write.
My cancer tumors caused tremendous GI symptoms and I was losing weight. The first three months of chemotherapy made the weight loss more significant, and my tumors continued to grow. However, there was an experimental radiation in Houston TX. At the first opening, my husband and I jumped at the chance. Besides the cancer, I had to deal with new onset Diabetes, Cushing Syndrome, hypertension, Zollinger Ellison Syndrome, and migraines – all triggered by the tumors. The cancer was slowly chipping away at my body, but not my optimism or desire to write – and that was important.
Support from family or friends.
Having and allowing the support of family and friends was crucial. It sounds easy, but I have a hyper-independent personality, so sometimes accepting help from others is difficult. But I needed to let go. This allowed me to write whenever I could, and sometimes that was three a.m. in the morning. During my first round of radiation, the Cushing’s caused insomnia and sleep was a rarity. If I was able to catch a few hours, it was in a reclining chair with my laptop beside me. Because I was in and out of the hospital, I carried a notebook and pen to write down ideas, inspirations, rewriting story lines, even reviewing grammar and punctuation.
When I allowed others to take over meals and household chores (which wasn’t easy for me) it cleared my mind of clutter, and I felt more organized, which gave me greater creativity. I also found corresponding with other writers and cancer patients offered a sense of support. I did this through on-line support sites.
Believing in yourself and setting goals.
During a hospital stay, a nurse asked me if I was writing about my cancer journey. I told her no; I was writing to become a published author. She furrowed her brows and quietly chuckled. During every emergency room visit they’d offer palliative care, (end of life care). I would smile and politely decline. Stubborn? Probably – but I pressed on. I initially made short term goals. I had three stories published with Chicken Soup for the Soul. It was an important achievement during a difficult time, and gave me the confidences to make long term goals. As a nurse I knew that statistics and prognosis were just that, information on a piece of paper, and that everyone was unique, and my attitude was important.
Taking breaks for needed relaxation. There were times when I needed to relax and take a break from writing, so I read. Finding a favorite author gave me inspiration, and would often refresh my own creativity. Even watching my favorite sitcom reduced my stress level and anxiety, which allowed me to write smoother. Listening to Classical music was another activity that helped me relax and refresh, especially Beethoven’s fifth. No matter how many times I listened to that striking symphony it left me inspired.
Stepping away, and resting when I had a bad day.
There were days when I was extremely nauseated, unable to eat, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Taking a day or two off from writing, even reading, was important especially for my mental health. When I felt like writing again, I took it slowly often restarting with my research. Research for me wasn’t as mind pressing. I knew what I needed to research, and what notes needed organized especially if I was working on an outline. Being organized made me feel better, and more prepared to write.
Editing, when I had a good day.
Day’s when I didn’t feel sick or have pain, I edited, then reedited whatever manuscript I was working on. I always disliked being critiqued. But I found myself evaluating my own work and realized, I needed help. – another situation where I needed to let go. I sent chapters out for evaluation and reaped the benefits. A bad critique didn’t mean my work wasn’t good, instead it offered insight, and improved my writing.
Exercise if I had a fabulous day.
If I woke up without nausea or pain, and was able to eat, I’d take a short walk with my husband. He never allowed me to over exert myself – that’s important. Days when I was able to go for a walk were definite mental health day. If it was raining, too cold or too hot, and I felt good, I used hand weights – easy and accessible. I also found numerous fitness workouts on YouTube that were low impact and easy. Just moving around cleared my mind. I had less stress and anxiety, and my writing flowed much easier.
Healthy eating habits.
My mother taught us good eating habits growing up, so I’ve always been conscious about my diet. But with cancer it was even more critical. Fruits and vegetables, lean meats (chicken and salmon), were already at the top of my list. I needed to increase my water intake, eliminate fast foods and sugar, and make as much homemade as possible. Being mindful of what I ate helped lessen my GI symptoms – making it much easier to write. I added Vitamin C, and D, and also added turmeric which is a natural anti-inflammatory.
Since then, I’ve had four embolization’s to my liver, another round of experimental radiation, and receive a chemotherapy injection monthly. Although the cancer has left me with a few health issues, I’m still writing – and well past the original prognosis. Writing in the mist of cancer at my age! Yes, it’s possible! Being optimistic, perseverance, family and friends support, making short and long-term goals, taking care of your mental health, eating healthy and exercising are key aspects. You don’t need to give up writing in the mist of cancer treatments – at any age. The experience allowed me to create brave, strong characters, to make memories, have adventures, and solve that next mystery!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After reading every Nancy Drew book in the fourth grade, DD Sterner wanted to be a mystery writer – but it took her awhile. She spent 25 years working as a Registered Nurse and writing articles for nursing and fitness magazines. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with cancer that she wrote her debut book, “Sabotage at Casa Grande Springs,” the first book in the PI squad mysteries. It’s filled with clever and fearless characters who are experts at solving mysteries!
CONNECT WITH DD STERNER!
Website: https://www.danasterner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DDSterner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danadsterner/
Publisher Website: https://crimsondragonpublishing.com/dd-sterner/
Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/danasterner.com
The Mystery of the Lost Confederate Treasure (PI Squad Mysteries Book 2)
Trouble is stirring at the new Casa Grande Springs care center. With the discovery of a confederate gold coin on the property, treasure hunters swarm the grounds armed with metal detectors and shovels. Amidst the chaos, Willow Powell, the newest member of the team, reveals an old treasure map passed down from her Seminole ancestor. As the PI squad catches treasure fever, Mr. Opa, Brice and Brianna’s grandfather, must decipher the map’s strange markings and symbols. Can Weaver, the trusty canine companion, sniff out gold coins? With a race against time, the four friends must decode the map, solve a riddle, and outsmart a gang of goons hot on their tail. But with the care center’s fate in the balance, will they unearth the treasure before it’s too late?
For fans of adventure and mystery, the second book in The PI Squad Mysteries series, “The Mystery of the Lost Confederate Treasure” is a thrilling ride filled with twists and turns.
