Mummy Is Sick, but I Love You

About the Book

“In this debut picture book, a mother reassures her child about her own illness… She tells him that “Mummy” must visit many doctors… But in each case, the narrator assures her child that she loves him …. One nice feature is how the boy’s stuffed bunny appears in every scene and often echoes his moods…. The book’s affectionate tone is evident, and Slade echoes professional advice about expressing hope and soothing fears…. Warmhearted and sensitive.” (Kirkus Reviews). When you’re a child, it seems like nothing bad can happen to your parents. But sometimes it does, and you find your life turned upside down. It can be a very scary time. Mummy Is Sick, but I Love You, by author Cheryl Slade, is a conversation and a promise from Mummy to her child. Now that she’s ill, Mummy can’t always do everything she used to. She promises that once she is better, she’ll be capable of doing it all again. Mummy explains to her sweetheart all the things that might happen whilst she’s sick but assures her child of her never-ending love and that things will be better when she’s well again. Mummy Is Sick, but I Love You comes from Slade’s experiences after her diagnosis with breast cancer. When she couldn’t find a suitable book to explain what was happening to her young son, she decided to write her own. The result can help others who are facing similar situations. When you are at the start of treatment, you have no idea how to reassure your child. Mummy is sick, But I love you, is that reassurance for the little children that do not understand the concept of cancer or other major illnesses. Beautifully colourful illustrations highlight the positivity and hope from Mother to Child in the hard times and the promise of what’s to come. “My son loved books, but the only books I could find were story books written for 5-year-olds. He wasn’t going to sit still for one of those. I wished for a picture book that I could share with him.” Cheryl despairs. “This children’s book is directed at children whose mother may have a serious illness. The text is designed to help young readers understand that even though their mother may be sick, she still loves them and cares for them. Carefully and hopefully phrased, the book lists some of the activities the child’s mother can do now and others that they’ll do together when she’s better.” (Xlibris). Cheryl Slade wrote it to help other families in the hardest times of their life. “I started writing this book whilst I was stuck in isolation in hospital for the second time. I missed my son so much, and felt like I had just thrown his whole life upside down.” Cheryl, 33 years old, was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, an extremely aggressive and deadly Breast Cancer with no known cause, in December 2017. She went through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation all whilst trying her best to look after her two-year-old son. Amazingly, over 45 friends and family members felt as strongly about this book as did Cheryl, and had fundraised over Three Thousand, Five hundred Dollars’ worth.

About the Author

Cheryl Slade, 33 years old, living in Romsey Victoria, is married to James Slade and mother to Carson Slade (2 years old) with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cheryl Slade is a Secondary School teacher by career and devout mother by heart. Cheryl has taught at various very low socio-economic and alternative schools such as Roxburgh College and Candlebark School in Victoria and Shepardson College and Nyangatjatjara College in Remote Northern Territory. Cheryl was diagnosed in December 2017 with Stage 2, Grade 3, Triple Negative Breast Cancer at 32 years old after Carson found the lump in her breast whilst breastfeeding. Cheryl completed 12 intravenous chemotherapy rounds, lumpectomy surgery, 30 rounds of radiation and 3 months of twice daily oral chemotherapy tablets. Cheryl was given the all clear and the words ‘no evidence of disease’ in January 2019. In between weekly appointments for her son and herself, she loves going to church, playing on the trampoline with Carson, studying various subjects such as lactation consultancy and writing. Cheryl has found a new lease on life and loves spreading positivity where ever she goes. Contact the Author Via: https://www.facebook.com/mummyissick/