Breast cancer survivor shares journey through photo memoirDate: 10/3/2023 SPRINGFIELD — From the breast cancer diagnosis to the five-year cancer-free milestone, Leslie Lawrence captured her journey through photos. Now, those photos are being shared in her memoir, “I’m a Lucky Woman: A Photographic Memoir of a Breast Cancer Survivor.”
For most of her life, Lawrence expected a cancer diagnosis as her mother and two aunts also battled the disease. Her diagnosis came in 2016, at age 66. Five years later, Lawrence reached the cancer-free milestone and chose to celebrate by penning her memoir to give hope to other women experiencing the same diagnosis.
Oftentimes, people hear or read about breast cancer, but when Lawrence was diagnosed, she said she would have liked to have read something similar to her memoir.
Each page of the story is filled with real, raw photos and words that show firsthand what Lawrence experienced throughout her journey.
“It shows the emotional journey, with equal parts positivity that I went through,” Lawrence said, along with a mix of humor.
“It shines a light [and] shows what kinds of things are experienced. … The ups and downs you go through,” Lawrence shared. However, she noted that everyone’s journey is different.
When Lawrence reached her cancer-free milestone, she looked back at the photos over the past five years with hopes of closing that chapter. After sharing the photos with family and friends, they suggested that she share it beyond her circle.
Lawrence never dreamed of being an author, as she said she is not a writer — she is a “shutterbug,” with a passion for taking photos.
On Sept. 19, the memoir was officially released, and Lawrence is now “taking a bow.”
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she believes that the memoir launched at the perfect time.
“My mother was the inspiration for this book,” Lawrence said.
Throughout her mother’s battle with breast cancer, Lawrence recalled the positive attitude she always had, and was even asked by her doctor to talk to other patients with breast cancer.
Lawrence said, “People always ask, ‘Who is this book for?’” The first answer is that it is for women diagnosed with breast cancer, as she does not know many people who do not know someone who had or has breast cancer.
Additionally, she said the book is also for the family and friends of the person with the diagnosis.
Through her own journey, Lawrence was supported in many ways. “This book shows the kindness bestowed on me,” she said.
On Monday, Oct. 16, Lawrence is hosting an event at the Springfield East Forest Park Branch Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., where she will sign copies of her book, share some photos within the memoir and talk about certain stages she went through.
Lawrence said that her goal is to speak at other libraries and reach a wider audience with her story.
The memoir can be purchased at leslielawrenceauthor.com, along with Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Lawrence currently lives in Dartmouth with her husband, Ron Weingartner, and has one son.
Originally from New Bedford, Lawrence moved to Western Massachusetts in 1979 to work as a product manager for Milton Bradley. She later founded and led an ad agency for 20 years in Springfield called TSM Design, that served clients such as Milton Bradley, Friendly’s, Random House and Apple, in its early years, before retiring early to spend time with family and continue her passion for volunteering.
For more information, visit leslielawrenceauthor.com and follow Lawrence on Facebook and Instagram @leslielawrenceauthor.
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