PATRY FRANCIS and LIAR'S DIARY BLOG DAY

Okay,

Several hundred authors and publishing industry professionals have deemed this Patry Francis and Liar's Diary Blog Day.

Why?

Patry is a former waitress-turned-author who was recently diagnosed with an agressive form of cancer....


To hear it from Patry's own words as pasted here from one of her blog entries will show you not only what she's facing, but her realness and courage in the face of a devastating diagnoses:

"Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Then the news got worse: a cat scan revealed spots on my liver, a possible metastasis.

So how does a lifelong neurotic and avowed hypochondriac deal with that kind of news? Initially, not too well. The day I got the scan results I went home, drank too much wine, cried, yelled at the wonderful husband who was as anxious as I was, and avoided calls from friends and family members. I preferred to sit in the dark and drink my misery to the last drop; thank you very much.

But the next morning I woke up in a different frame of mind. It was a bright November morning; I had work I love to do; and after only twelve hours, I was already tired of my own despair and fear. I couldn't change the fact that I was ill; I couldn't make the road ahead pain or anxiety free, but I could get out of bed and take the dogs to the beach. I could pick up a common, translucent shell and hold it up to the light until it revealed just how uncommon it was. Then I could put it in my pocket and take it home to remind me--just in case I forgot.

Fortunately, last week an MRI revealed no sign of metastasis; and I'm optimistic about my surgery next Thursday. Still, it's been a difficult time. The other night I was watching a British movie called Greenfingers. In it, a character says, "You have to learn to make adversity your ally." I knew exactly what he was talking about. I may not be ready to call adversity my ally yet, but it is certainly my teacher.

One thing I learned was that for every ounce of trouble I was forced to drink, I would counter it with two ounces of bliss. Not the cheap bliss I attempted to find in a wine bottle, but the real thing. The kind I saw in that thin shell when I held it up to the light. The kind we all have inside us if we choose to draw on it.

I really think this is where we so often go wrong . When bad things happen--whether it's disease, rejection, mistreatment, percieved or otherwise--we allow it to control us. In other words, we pour ourselves another glass of poison when what we really need is the antidote--a double shot of BLISS!

My grandfather, who I called John, said it more succinctly: "No kick." (Translation: No complaints.) I've written about his two word exhortation here and elsewhere, but it has never meant more to me than it does right now. When asked to expand on his philosophy, he said, "Once you give in to complaining, you're all done."

Well, John, I'm not done yet.

Peace and love to all--"




So if you find it in your heart and your checkbook to help, I have a feeling God will pay you back.

The Liar's Diary can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/Liars-Diary-Patry-Francis/dp/0452289157/ref=reader_req_dp

Just so you know, the book is a bit sultry. But if you're opposed to that you can always flip past the pages if it looks like steam's wafting off them. GGG.

Also, Patry's publisher (Penquin) is offering the book at a 15% discount. http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780452289154,00.html?
(After adding the book to your cart, enter the word PATRY in the coupon code field and click ‘update cart’ to activate the discount).

If the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into your browser.

Also, if you'd like to participate in Patry Francis Day, feel free to post this, including purchase links, your blog or blogs today.

Visit her web site for more information:
http://www.patryfrancis.com/

Wouldn't it be grand to get Patry to number 1 on the bestsellers while she's battling so valiantly?

Patry, you're in my prayers. Praying for God to continue to infuse you with the necessary strength, courage and humor needed to get through this.

Cheryl Wyatt