Cancer patients thrive through writing and sharing experiences
Marike RamirezJulie Davey talks to participants in a writing workshop.
Now, she and her students have found a way to do just that. A collection of her students’ writings appear in the book “Writing for Wellness: A Prescription for Healing,” published by Seattle-based Idyll Arbor Inc.
The tome contains inspiring poems and stories from more than 60 participants in Davey’s class, also known as “Writing for Wellness.” The book’s foreword is cowritten by City of Hope’s Michael A. Friedman,M.D., president and chief executive officer,and Lucille A. Leong, M.D., associate director of clinical affairs in the Division of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research.
Davey noted that the “seed of publishing a book was always there”when she started the biweekly classes in collaboration with the Department of Patient, Family & Community Education.The idea gradually grew as Davey noticed the improvement in her students’ pieces and when local media published some of the writing.
“Their stories were so compelling, and they communicated a shared experience we all have,” Davey said. “We want to let others going through a difficult time know that they are not alone, and reading these inspirational stories and writing their own can help get them through.”
In addition to students’ stories, Davey also wrote for the book. She included details about her own cancer journey, along with tips and advice for effective writing. She also left blank space in the book for readers to write their own tales of courage and healing.
Since the book’s publication, Davey’s concept of guided group writing is being adopted at other cancer care facilities around the country.
“It’s wonderful that Julie got this together,” said patient and class participant Anna Escobosa. “People can read this and know how we feel, and it will do a lot of good for them.”