Shirley Enebrad

Author, Speaker & Grief Counselor

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F*ck Cancer! and Fight Oppression!

F*ck Cancer! and Fight Oppression!

February 13, 2025 by Shirley Enebrad 2 Comments

As I write this post, I feel a little off-kilter and scared, to be honest. Let me catch you up. I recently flew to Nashville to attend my friend’s baby shower. One of my best friends was planning to fly in from Raleigh the day after I arrived, and we would see the sights together. She was going to go with me to celebrate Bianca’s baby. I had just entered my room when my phone rang. My daughter, Ke’ili, was crying so hard I couldn’t understand her. Then, the bottom dropped out of my world —-again. Kei had seen her oncologist for her three-month check-up. Her blood test was terrible. The leukemia was back. She needed to get to the hospital and was upset because she couldn’t reach my husband, who was in session.  I calmed her down and said I would ask my friend Tina to knock on Steve’s office window and hold up a sign to call me ASAP. I started to cry as soon as we hung up. I called Tina. Luckily, she was home. She walked over to our house, and within a few minutes, my husband called. Through sobs, I explained what happened. He immediately went to pick up Keili and her puppy. He calmly drove Kei to the hospital and dropped her off at the ER. They made her sit there until midnight before putting her in a room. I do not understand how this has become the norm. If a doctor says to get to the hospital, you would think a room would be waiting for you when you arrive. Anyway, the next day, she had several biopsies. None were good. F*ck cancer!!!!

At this moment, Kei is in the hospital working on her laptop while a machine is collecting her T-cells from her blood. The cells will be sent to England to be treated with a new drug that will weaponize the cells, and when they get infused back into her bloodstream, they will kill the cancer cells. Immunotherapy sounds amazing. Please pray with us every day at 10 am Pacific Time that the treatment will keep her cancer-free and that she will live a long, healthy, happy life with children and her perfect mate.

This latest setback has been another blow for me, and I struggle not to get sucked down into a pot of self-pity. There are so many who have it far worse than me. I do get sad and sometimes scary reminders of how life was when Cory was sick. The Deja Vu can make my heart feel heavy. I am grateful that my husband is a source of calm and quiet strength and that my daughter is the warrior princess she proves to be time after time. We have so much support from family and friends, too. We are blessed.

I have been distracting myself with making lists and contacting the companies I used to like that gave money to Projext 2025, or that dumped their DEI policies, or that support anti-LGBTQ rights. Join me in writing letters, emails, or making calls. We must resist, and one of the best ways to take a stand is using your wallet. I am so pissed at Home Goods, Bali, Charmin, Target, Cinnabon, Soma and Anthropologie…and others. On February 28th, DO NOT BUY anything from anyone unless it is an emergency or a mom-and-pop.

Back to the issue of relapse. It is just as bad, if not worse, than an initial diagnosis. Kei has been off chemo for just over two years. She thought it was time to breathe easier. So, it feels like the rug got pulled out from under again. She keeps a positive attitude and surrounds herself with wonderful friends who could not be more supportive. Kei keeps working and is now taking a pottery class. She recently moved, so she is decorating her new space. I am so proud of her resilience and courage.

Be well and be strong! Stand up! Fight oppression and F*ck cancer!

 

Shirley

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Tania says

    February 20, 2025 at 8:57 am

    Cancer is truly horrible. I am a very, very lucky AML survivor. I pray for and wish your daughter and family all the best. I don’t know your work, but it looks outstanding. I am looking forward to reading your blog and at least some of your books. Thank you for what you are doing to help others even during your own crisis. And, yes, RESIST. I and many others are with you in that.

    Reply
    • Shirley Enebrad says

      March 19, 2025 at 11:58 am

      God be good to you Tania. Let me know if you have any questions after your read my books.

      Mahalo,

      Reply

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Reviews & Testimonials

Books are often described as good, exciting, motivational, or inspirational. Rarely do you find one that is truly life transforming. ‘Over the Rainbow Bridge’ is just such a book. It is absolutely miraculous the impact the story of this little nine your old child had on my perception of life, death, and God. My life has been inspired and enhanced by Cory’s story. If you are depressed for any reason, you will have a change of heart and mind after reading how Cory dealt with every day life in the short time he was here on earth. I can hardl… Read more
Carrie D. Hewitt, Newly Encouraged Mother of Four
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Shirley, I can’t tell you how much your book touched my life. Your son was an amazing boy-such an upbeat, inspiring, beautiful little boy… although I cried, I also celebrated the person he was. And your writing made me feel like I was a part of your life with your son, instead of just reading about it. Images came to mind. Like when you had to walk that long distance to the hospital with your son in your arms after your car broke down. There were so many others… and the laughs I had with the ghosts!  The feelings I experienced while reading –I … Read more
Lisa Salvati, TV News Reporter, New York (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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This primer on grief is practical , honest, and totally on the money about feelings, thoughts, and behaviors which are part of the human experience of grief and loss. The six word lessons are understandable, strengthening, and probably because there are only ‘six words’ easily remembered. It also takes direct aim at the guilt experienced about ‘the need to talk about it’.
William M Womack MD, Psychiatrist ("Six Word Lessons" On Coping with Grief)
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The written word can be very powerful and moving, and every so often there is a book that can truly change lives; Over the Rainbow Bridge is that important. It is a true account of a heroic child’s mission in his short life to teach us about love and life, that one and both are the same: eternal. In our culture, where death is almost a taboo subject, Over the Rainbow Bridge will help us confront our fears and embrace life in a “down to earth” way. It is accessible, a comfort to read, as if being embraced by an old friend.
Gei Chan, well-read Artist & Designer
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Having dealt with the loss of my son, I can totally relate to this book. While reading it, I found myself reflecting back to the “stupid” things that people said to me when I was in the throes of so much pain that I couldn’t see past the very next second. I am comforted by Shirley’s words which are down to earth and easily understood. This book WILL help you if you let it. It is a quick read and is one of the things that I like most about it. Grief is a lifelong journey that changes over time so take care of your heart and read this book. It is… Read more
April Braykovich (Kirkland, WA) (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
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The greatest gift I received from reading “Over the Rainbow Bridge” is a comforting peace about death and dying. Death is not an ending, but the beginning of a new phase. Powerful. Thanks Cory for your wisdom.Through the life of this 9 year old boy, I learned more insights about heaven and the afterlife than I ever learned by attending church. I don’t know who I’m more impressed with—Cory, a young man who even in death was the most positive, inspirational person I never met; or his mother Shirley who had the courage to really list… Read more
Shelly Heesacker, Freelance TV Field Producer for ‘Oprah’ and ‘The Dr. Phil Show’
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Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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Over the Rainbow Bridge is an intelligent and emotional book that exhibits an unforgettable life and death of a child wise beyond his young years. You don’t have to be grieving to get Cory’s life lessons.
Karen Minton, MA, CAN, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Maine
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Although I haven’t experienced too much loss, this short, to-the-point book gave me a wealth of very important information on how to help others cope with grief, and how to know what to expect when it happens to me. I learned about things to say and not to say to those grieving, and how important it is to let yourself go through the process when you experience loss. The author knows what she is talking about, as she has experienced extensive loss herself. Concise and helpful tips!
P. Pacelli, Sammamish, WA (after reading Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief)
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I just have to tell you that your book has become a part of me.  I have milked it by only reading it when I was alone and quiet.  I feel I know little Cory now.  It has been a privilege getting to know his sweet spirit.  Thank you so much for sharing a small part of him with me.  I would love to see the video that was made.  Bless your heart for the pure love and strength that you instilled in your sweet baby.  Cory is a true gift to all who get to share his story.
Pamala Butler Iacovitti, Wichita Falls, Texas (after reading Over the Rainbow Bridge)
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