about the author

Stefanie (Gig) Sixsmith grew up in Surrey, graduating with a degree in Graphic Design from Kingston School of Art. She launched her design career with Virgin Atlantic, followed by 30 years of independent commercial design work.Inspired by her daughters, when they were young, she designed a range of children’s educational products, which she uses to run imagination workshops in schools – www.imagineocean.ukStefanie’s talent gave her the vision to create and share this emotional journey following her experience with breast cancer.She lives in Warwickshire with her husband, teenage daughters and their black Labrador, and goes by her childhood nickname Gig.

about the book

Six years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, I revisited my diary and decided to share my experiences.I reveal how losing my hair turned from tragedy to comedy, how a watercress and potato soup sent emotions soaring, and the way in which my two young daughters played such a huge part in my recovery.In my own words and images, this is my story; from diagnosis to life after cancer – the complex emotions, the mood swings and the surprises along the way.This is my recollection of the events and emotions that lined my unique path through breast cancer. I hope that the excerpts, taken from my original diary, are not only enlightening for other cancer sufferers, but that they might throw out a beacon of light to the many families and friends supporting their loved ones through a time of anguish and uncertainty.

news

Facing the Storm

Facing the Storm-My second journey through breast cancer, (told though excerpts from my diary with my accompanying original artworks) to be released in regular blogs throughout 2023.In November 2017 ........

NEW YEAR IS A TIME OF REFLECTION

New year is a time of reflection, nostalgia and change, it isn’t always a happy time as people juggle the demands of life, particularly with so much uncertainty still governing our lives. I’d like ........

blogs

Facing the Storm-10

Keep calm and eat cake Mum’s 85th Birthday fell on the day after I was discharged from hospital and two days before Christmas Day. Despite having to hide the surgery drains in the deep p ........

Facing the Storm-9

Mum & Dad When I went through breast cancer in 2012-2013 I had the love and support of my parents. How much had changed in 5 years. My wonderful Dad had passed away in 2016 and altho ........

Facing the Storm-8

Countdown to Christmas The girls had just broken up from school and it was a wonderful feeling of being together at home just 3 days ahead of Christmas. Beautiful flowers arrived. Beauti ........

contact

Austin Macauley are one of the fastest-growing publishers, striving hard to give authors the best chance of succeeding in an increasingly crowded market. With headquarters in London, New York and Sharjah, Austin Macauley Publishers™ have established themselves as an energetic and innovative independent trade publishers.

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