October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, a woman is sharing her personal story in a self-published book.
"Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda," written by Kenna Marriott of Spring Hill, hit online book retailers three months ago and shares the real-life story of Marriott's daughter, Jeannine Mongelli, whose breast cancer that spread to her backbone.
Mongelli died in 2008 after cancer took over her body.
"Shock and denial are strong emotions for a family to live through," Marriott said as she shared her story.
Mongelli was 40 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Treatment led to remission, but the cancer returned and spread to her bones.
Mongelli and her family were forced to deal with the hard reality of cancer for more than seven years, and the new book written by her mother shares the family's storyin the hope of making things easier on others who are hit with cancer.
"I didn't want other people to make the same mistakes that I think I made, and that I know Jeannine thinks she made," Marriott said.
The journey cancer brings begins at Moffitt Cancer Centers Screening and Prevention clinic in Tampa for hundreds of people every year.
Dr. Catherine Lee specializes in breast cancer and says patient treatment and family support has changed dramatically over the past five years.
"For patients who have active families, it's trying to help them make the treatment decision that is going to fit best into their life," she said.
Moffitt Cancer Center offers support groups to families of cancer patients, with an emphasis on helping children of women suffering from breast cancer.
Marriott's book is now available on amazon.com as well as other online book stores, and she also blogs daily at livewithcancer.info.