At age fifty, I was diagnosed with Breast cancer- invasive ductal carcinoma- out of the blue. I was desperate at the beginning to pinpoint the causes, risks, diagnoses, cures, and more. My story asks the question, Did my Traumatic Childhood cause my breast cancer?
One night, I typed a question in my search engine: "What are the risk factors of getting breast cancer?" I was surprised to discover research showing that long-term exposure to stress and traumatic childhood experiences can both increase the risk of breast cancer. The rest is history. That started my journey of digging into my past to understand.
My breast cancer journey began with mammograms, biopsies, surgery, meetings, tests, chemotherapy, and radiation. Two years later...I started to write about my journey in an attempt to make sense of it. What started as journal writing morphed into something different I never expected. Writing a memoir.
My Memoir is Titled The Sensitive One.
The Sensitive One is a braided memoir that alternates between my childhood, as a sensitive child and then teenager who shouldered the burden of caring for my younger siblings as my dad's alcoholism tore at the threads of our home life, and an adult who for a decade-plus had been living a trauma-free life with a caring husband and rewarding career in nursing . . . only to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Sensitive One is a story that asks: Did the stress in my childhood (ACE's, adverse childhood experiences) contribute to my breast cancer diagnosis? Did it contribute to my panic attacks, anxiety, and eventual depression diagnosis?
FORWORD INDIE Gold Winner in Autobiography and Memoir, 2021
MEMOIR MAGAZINE Book Prize Winner in Memoir, 2022
WOMEN WRITERS, WOMEN'S BOOKS Best Indie Book of Fall 2021
CHANTICLEER INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS Finalist in the Journey category, 2022
SOUL-MAKING KEATS LITERARY COMPETITION Honorable Mention in Memoir Vignette category, 2021
LOVING MARTHAS VINEYARD
Suzanne Simonetti — Author of The Sound of Wings
"A striking and candid debut memoir!
I was drawn to this title as both a cancer and a middle child; I was dubbed "the sensitive one" long ago by my entire family. I enjoyed the author's mention of her childhood history and how that shaped her. I soon learned that
Morris was shaped by the immediate big decisions following her childhood, how she came to understand and make sense of her experiences, some disturbing and violent, and how she found the strength to rise and move ahead, all on her own. Morris had reached a personal epiphany of sorts with both her mother and father separately before she bid them farewell in this lifetime. Her strength, bravery, and faith amidst all the tumult and hurdles thrown in her path are to be savored and revered."
Karen Keilt — Author of The Parrots Perch: A Memoir
"Wonderful Book!!
This story of courage, dedication, and fulfillment is one we should all read! Susan experienced childhood abuse and trauma but found the strength to help others through similar events. The Sensitive One gave me chills. The author pushed through her own personal pain in order to help
others by becoming a trauma nurse herself! A cancer survivor, Ms. Morris never gave up. Brava!
I loved this book."
Laurie Buchanan — Author of The Sean McPherson novels.
"Inspiring!
THE SENSITIVE ONE is a portrait of a woman's struggle not to be swallowed by a traumatic childhood and familial failures. After escaping painful circumstances, embarking on a successful nursing career, and entering a loving and supportive marriage, she receives a cancer diagnosis. This breast cancer survivor's odyssey will inspire many readers, myself included."
Nancy A. Rines
"A Must Read"
This book is told with heart, honesty, and compassion. A must-read for everyone with imperfections in their life…and that is all of us!"