In 2011, Lisa Morgan received the life-altering news that she had breast cancer. Diagnosed with stage 2B, the scans revealed two tumors in her left breast and cancer spreading to her lymph nodes. It was a challenging moment for Lisa and her family. Following a double mastectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, she thought the worst was behind her. At 51, Lisa cherished time with her two adult daughters, looking forward to retirement and future grandchildren. However, life had other plans.
When a persistent lesion on her scalp refused to heal, Lisa’s instincts told her to advocate for herself. After consulting with 11 different doctors, she finally received a biopsy, leading to a heartbreaking diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer. The cancer had metastasized to her sternum, hip, clavicle, multiple vertebrae, and under her arm. Faced with this grim reality, Lisa made a pivotal decision that surprised no one in her family.
“I’m quitting my job as a stockbroker to pursue my dream of writing children’s books,” she announced. Her family was thrilled, understanding the importance of chasing dreams, especially in light of her diagnosis. “Life’s too short, and I want to create joy,” she told Home Insemination Kit.
Lisa fondly remembered her early 20s, working in an elementary school and engaging with children. She often read to her daughters’ classes, cherishing the joy and honesty that kids brought into her life. “Once cancer returned, I realized I needed to focus on what truly matters,” she said.
Thus began her journey as a children’s writer. Inspired by her nephew’s experience with a babysitter, she crafted a humorous tale about a little boy whose ingenious plan to avoid a babysitter involves, rather comically, trying to bite her. The story promises laughter for parents who have uttered phrases they never imagined they would.
Initially, Lisa illustrated her book, Don’t Bite the Babysitter, but after reading an early draft to a fourth-grade class and receiving unsolicited help from three enthusiastic girls, she decided to hire Jade Fang as the illustrator. “Her artwork brought my story to life,” Lisa admits, though she felt a twinge of guilt for not employing the young artists.
Before Lisa can share her delightful story with children everywhere, she needs to secure funding. Along with her daughters, she launched a Kickstarter campaign to gather the necessary resources for self-publishing. “I hope my journey inspires others to pursue their dreams, even if they’ve set them aside for family or careers,” she shared.
Reflecting on her day, Lisa recounted an encounter on the beach where she gifted a seashell to a young boy, igniting a radiant smile on his face. “It didn’t cost me a thing to make a child happy, and that’s the essence I want people to take away from my story,” she said.
Lisa hopes her story encourages women to chase their aspirations and trust their instincts—both in their dreams and their health. “You know yourself best. If something feels off, trust that gut feeling.” Excited about her new chapter as a children’s author, she’s already working on 15 additional stories and a character series. Leaving her stockbroker days behind, Lisa is optimistic about her future, determined to pursue her dreams, no matter the challenges posed by her cancer treatments.
If you’re interested in supporting Lisa, you can check out her Kickstarter campaign for Don’t Bite the Babysitter. For just $15, you can receive a softcover version, and for $20, a hardcover copy.
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Inspiration is everywhere, and Lisa’s story is a testament to the idea that dreams can indeed come true—no matter the obstacles.
Summary:
Lisa Morgan, diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, decided to leave her stockbroker job to pursue her dream of writing children’s books. Inspired by her nephew’s funny babysitter story, she created Don’t Bite the Babysitter and is currently seeking funding through Kickstarter. Lisa’s journey encourages others to chase their dreams and trust their instincts in health and happiness.