Author Interview: Jennifer Manghisi (A Sarcastic Guide To Beating Breast Cancer)

A Sarcastic Guide To Beating Breast Cancer

by Jennifer Manghisi

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description:

"Author Jennifer Manghisi was diagnosed with breast cancer at the very early age of twenty-four. Sitting in the doctor’s office listening to the diagnosis, Jennifer and her parents were shocked. Jennifer’s life had only just begun. A recent college graduate, she had only just launched her career in the fashion industry. Now, before her life had truly begun, Jennifer was faced with the prospect of losing a breast.

But she was strong. Though the diagnosis was bleak, Jennifer found the strength to be grateful that the prospects were not worse. Death as a result of breast cancer is on the decline, and she was thankful for that. Even so, there is more to deal with when facing breast cancer than mortality, as Jennifer has since learned. In her motivational memoir, A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Breast Cancer, Jennifer Manghisi shares what she learned on her journey to survival. From coping with the diagnosis to managing chemotherapy to managing the depression and becoming healthy again, Jennifer shares important and insightful advice on becoming a breast cancer survivor that only experience can teach.

In this inspiring true story of will, determination, and perseverance, Jennifer shares the highs and lows of her intense battle for her life. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Jennifer’s story can be a source of inspiration to you."

Author Info:

Jennifer Manghisi was born on June 1, 1984. She is a native New Yorker. Jennifer grew up on Long Island and graduated from Bentley University with a Bachelor of Science degree from Bentley University in Business Management. Her hobbies include; traveling, cooking, fashion, and writing. She currently resides and works in New York City.

Author Interview

Welcome to my name is: Sage. Thanks so much for participating in an interview. How long did it take you to write your memoir, A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Breast Cancer? 

That is a great question.  This actually version of the memoir took me a week and a half from start to finish however, this book has been in the making for several years.  I’ve started and not finished many many times before so this time I’m over the moon that I actually finished it.

Can you tell us about your memoir? 

I would love to.  This book is a memoir of my four year experience with battling breast cancer from the time of diagnosis to being cancer free.  I dedicated this book to the faculty and staff of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center which is where I was treated and where I currently am a patient.  In my acknowledgements page at the beginning of the book I wanted to thank a small group of people that were very supportive along the way.  I wanted my experience to speak to others who have been impacted by this disease whether it has effected them directly or a loved one.  I chose to tell my story in a sarcastic manner because i wanted my story to appeal to men and women and a little humor can help when discussing a serious topic.

 

I could only imagine the mixture of emotions you experienced while writing about your battle with breast cancer. What did you learn most about yourself during the writing process? 

What I really learned was that I had been keeping so many emotions to myself all this time.  I thought that by not crying or by being emotionless that I was being strong.  But, in actuality I think I chose to deal with having breast cancer in that way because I was almost in denial of the fact I had been through it.  Writing this book allowed me to come to terms with a lot of feelings that I had cast aside, and for that I am grateful.

What kind of feedback have you received from readers? 

In general, I have received excellent feedback.  People have told me that it helped them get through a difficult time which made me feel really good because that was the point of me putting my story out there for others to relate to.  I’ve also heard that readers have thought it was just the right amount of funny and sad which was also something I struggled with when writing the book.

Do you have any other writing projects in the works? 

I do! I am currently working on a cookbook of recipes that have been in my family for ages.  The cookbook will highlight my Italian Polish heritage and many of the recipes will be things my mom, grandmother, and aunt have cooked for my family for different occasions.