In My Blood: A Memoir

(Paperback)

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An extraordinary life, from ordinary beginnings.

Optimism, resilience, audacity, hope, surviving daily challenges for themselves and those they love; carers embody all of these qualities. Cheryl Koenig's fifth book, a memoir, deals with all those human qualities necessary to not only survive a life-threatening diagnoses and a subsequent insidiously painful disease, but to thrive in spite of them.

Cheryl's is a story about never giving up, nor giving in. Most importantly, however, it is a love story that knows no limits. It is the sequel to her fourth book, With Just One Suitcase, where she met her soulmate, Rob, at fifteen and is still happily married to him after a turbulent life where hers, and her eldest son's mortality was questioned.

With her fearless spirit, Cheryl reveals the mindset that helped her survive, along with some courageous admissions regarding her perceived character flaws. But despite her frankness in discussing life after blood cancer, she is not a victim. Cheryl is an exemplar of her belief that the world is full of unknown achievers who have found a way to stay hopeful despite being fractured on life's battlefields. They each demonstrate that the path of a champion lies within. They each are resilient.

'For everything each life crisis has taken from us, something of greater value has been given. Ultimately the choice belongs to us, not fate, to determine how we respond to trials; to determine our own quality of life,' Cheryl says.

In My Blood is her inspirational response.

Reviews

Cheryl Koenig's account of the life challenges thrown at her reflect a unique combination of humility--she radically underestimates her contribution to her son's recovery from a catastrophic brain injury--and stoic resilience--she's one of the few who can truly claim to have "beaten" cancer. This is the textbook in overcoming adversity.
-- Nick Rushworth, Executive Officer, Brain Injury Australia

Cheryl Koenig OAM is a carer. Her advocacy for carers and in particular our community organisation, Sutherland Shire Carer Support Service, is as extraordinary as she is. Cheryl has donated tens of thousands of dollars to SSCSS through book launches, book sales and personal donations. I have witnessed Cheryl at deaths door yet she still finds breath to fight for the needs of carers. The most consistent words I hear from Cheryl is 'what can we do!' I am honoured to call her not only a colleague but importantly a friend. It was an honour to read her inspirational book. On behalf of carers in our community, thank you. You will never know the true impact of your work but carers you support do.
-- Tracy Sami, Manager, Sutherland Shire Carer Support Service, NSW

Author Bio

Cheryl Koenig OAM, is a Sydney-based writer and motivational speaker. In My Blood is her fifth book, and the sequel to her acclaimed family memoir With Just One Suitcase (2015). Her previous publications are Paper Cranes (2008), The Courage to Care (2007) and There's always hope: just alter the dreams (2006). Cheryl was named 2009 NSW Woman of the Year, and in 2014 received the Medal of the Order of Australia, for services to the disability sector.