Smiling Thru the Tears: A Breast Cancer Survivor Odyssey

Pamela deLeon-Lewis
Publish America (2005)
ISBN 1413770703
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (3/06)

Pamela deLeon-Lewis is a breast cancer survivor, and “Smiling Thru the Tears” is her story of survival written through poetry. In January of 2003, Pamela had a dream that told her she had cancer, and in October of 2003, Pamela had a modified mastectomy of the right breast. Through her uplifting and often humorous poems, Pamela takes us through her grueling six months of chemotherapy and the six weeks of radiation afterward. She tells of the great care she received from all the health care workers, the doctors, and the entire radiology department at the Brooklyn Hospital Center. Pamela shares her feelings of fear, pain, and frustration, but she also shares that God was with her through it all, never letting her down. Enduring the cancer was a daily battle of horrendous proportion that challenged her spiritual beliefs, but the outcome left Pamela motivated to live life to its fullest.

Poetry was the emotional outlet Pamela chose to help her in her battle over Breast Cancer, or as she calls it, the villain called DeMon. She always trusted God for spiritual sustenance, as He strengthened and inspired her, and He still does today. It was God that ultimately told Pamela that it was time to write a book. Her choice of a poetic journal can encourage and hearten others who are fighting a similar battle. Her continuous optimism through so much pain can be a motivator to anyone.

Most females who know the seriousness of breast cancer will find “Smiling Thru the Tears” to be an uplifting and often times sad undertaking. But, Pamela has a sense of humor that keeps us smiling through the difficult times she shares. Chemotherapy can be an extremely difficult time, and Pamela shares her experiences. If you have known someone with breast cancer, “Smiling Thru the Tears” can help you to understand the obstacles faced by one on the difficult journey of fighting breast cancer.

I was touched by the poems Pamela writes to her daughters and how she wants the best for them, regardless of what happens to her. She writes from the heart and is so sincere and honest. Isn’t that just like a Mother? She writes of the love she feels for those so important to her and how she desires to leave a legacy of health and wealth, not an inheritance of cancer. She also writes poems to her Daddy, who has now passed on, but who she thinks of often. A special poem is included written by Pamela’s twelve year old grandson Jahlani, who was hurt to find out his grandmother could leave him at any time at the hand of Breast Cancer.

“Smiling Thru the Tears” is an emotional journey for the reader, but ultimately an uplifting one. It is encouraging to know that God is our Best Friend if we will let Him be and that we are loved unconditionally. While fighting her battle with cancer, Pamela says she was inspired to keep her will to live by God, Oprah and her love for writing poetry. Through her successful battle with Breast Cancer, Pamela deLeon-Lewis hopes to spread God’s words internationally, because with God, Pamela says she is the richest black lady alive!

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