The Tribune

BREAST cancer survivor Sharine Symonette, a Bahamian mother of three, will share the story of her fight and triumph over the deadly disease with readers when she officially launches her first book this Thursday.

Ms Symonette will host an official book launch for “Candle in the Wind” at the Centreville Medical Centre, #68 Collins Avenue, from 6pm to 8pm.

In the book, she chronicles her journey through diagnosis, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, relapse and remission.

“The burning candle symbolises the storms and trials in our lives, but it never blows out, meaning that there is hope,” she said.

Ms Symonette also discusses the practical steps that helped her make it through along with the support of her family and friends which encouraged her to keep going.

She said of the book: “This book promises to encourage those going through trials as well as tell of my personal journey with cancer and how I overcame.”

She gives her praise and thanks to the almighty God for life and for delivering her from stage four cancer.

Ms Symonette was diagnosed with breast cancer after undergoing an excision biopsy to remove the lump from her breast for testing in August 2011.

Ten lymph nodes were removed and nine tested positive to be cancerous. “They were like soldiers getting ready to invade my body,” she told Tribune Health.

Ms Symonette’s treatment at the Cancer Centre consisted six chemotherapy treatments, once every three weeks, followed by six weeks of radiation treatment, five days a week.

After two years of being in remission, Ms Symonette underwent an annual mammogram and though the results were good, she felt pain in her body. A PET-CT scan later revealed that the cancer had not only come back but it also spread to her bones.

This time Ms Symonette had to undergo five months of treatments, once per week, for 18 consecutive weeks. This treatment was much stronger than the first but the dosage was smaller so it was more tolerable. “After I completed my treatments I did another PET-CT scan and the results revealed that no cancer was seen anywhere in my body. Not even a spot. I know that it’s only God,” she said.

Thursday’s book signing is free of charge and open to the public. The books will be on sale during the launch for a special reduced price of $15 and after the launch will be sold for $20. Refreshments will be served.

For further information on “Candle in the Wind” or Sharine Symonette, please e-mail oneribpublications@gmail.com or ssymonette67@gmail.com.