I Had a Tumor, It Wasn’t a Rumor.

Ross Romenesko Eighteen year old pediatric cancer survivor, Ross Romenesko, wrote this poem when he was seven years old. The second grade assignment was to write a poem about “something he knew a lot about”. Unfortunately, he knew a lot about cancer. Since second grade, Ross has been sharing the story of his journey through cancer at Relays for Life and other fund raising events as well as with service groups and schools across the state of Wisconsin. The book contains photos of Ross, his family, caregivers and friends, taken during and after treatment. Ross tells his story with humor and insight, including 30 tips for making “life with cancer easier to swallow”. In the Family Reflections section, his father, mother and older brother candidly share how Ross’s cancer affected their lives. The last section, My Cancer Experience, is a template where patients and their families are encouraged to tell their own healing story. This book/workbook is a wonderful vehicle for initiating conversations about tough issues, like counseling, loss, the side effects of chemotherapy and the importance of a positive attitude. [CCCF review] The entire book (pdf format) as well as tips and other useful information are available on the web site (listed above).