Me and the Big C is a book about one woman's journey of heartache, hope, and healing through cancer treatment and the difficult and often rocky road to survivorship. Sue Burris, the author, has experienced cancer from the unique perspective as a parent, child, and patient, and has endured the heartache of losing a sibling to this dreaded disease. Through telling her family's story and her own, the author gives a Christian perspective of navigating trials and questioning one's faith when walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Me and the Big C explores common questions that all Christians have when faced with trials, and shares the heartbreaking experience of prayers that are perceived to be unanswered. It tells of the joys of survivorship, and the terrible pain of losing a loved one to cancer. Me and the Big C is not just a book about cancer, but a book about love, strong families, and overcoming the odds with the help of God. Through writing the book, the author expresses common feelings and also gives insights to truths she learned in dealing with the disease of cancer for over 10 years. She also explores the difficult questions that arise when it seems our fervent prayers go unanswered. Through using the Bible, and insights gained from a degree from the "School of hard knocks", Sue looks at common fears, feelings, and anger associated not only with cancer, but also with many chronic and/or life threatening diseases. Me and the Big C is not just a book about cancer, but also about fear, heartache, and God's great love for us. Readers are encouraged to share this book with family, friends, and especially anyone they know that may be struggling with cancer. Hope is in the reading.
About the Author: Sue Burris is a self- proclaimed Tennessee farm girl who has experienced cancer from the unique perspective of being a patient, parent, child, and sibling, all within a ten year time frame. Sue and her husband Mark, live and work on a small farm in East Tennessee and raise beef cattle and hay in addition to working jobs outside the farm. A physical therapist for over 30 years, Sue has been a caregiver for people of all ages, and has worked in a multitude of different healthcare settings during her career, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, school systems, home health, and most recently, skilled nursing facilities. As a member of her local medical community, she has experienced health care from both a provider and patient perspective, and has used her cancer experience to mentor her patients, family, and friends with insights from her own cancer experiences. When not actively working, Sue enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, parents, children, and grandchildren. Mark and Sue have 2 grown children and 2 wonderful in-laws. Their son Chris, and his wife Pam have just presented them with their third grandchild, Myla Kate, and a daughter Beki, and her husband Ivy, have two children, Ali Grace and Cooper. When not working outside the home or farm, Sue enjoys gardening, singing, camping, hiking, and water sports. She also dabbles in quilting, and, recently painting. Me and the Big C represents 10 years of spiritual growth and learning from a disease that is dreaded by patients and family members alike. It is the fulfillment of Sue's dream to become an author, and, by doing so, being able to help other cancer patients and family members to navigate the difficult path to survivorship. Her family story includes tragedy, healing and hope, and gives a Christian perspective for dealing with hardship and adversity. Me and the Big C shares a journey of spiritual testing, turmoil, and finally, growth in Christian faith for the author, and will guide other cancer patients and their families in their own quests for survival and faith.