Cheryl L. Cushine
After losing my partner and life-love to ovarian cancer in 2004, I knew my life in NJ was over. I sold our house, left my corporate job, packed the car, and headed for Wilmington, NC.
I have spent 3 years as a Music Therapist, and 22 years in the business world in project management and management (invoice printing for telecom companies).
Five years in Wilmington helped me connect with my grief while tending to my profoundly broken heart and spirit. During that time of healing, my anger and frustration evolved into gratefulness - thankfulness for having had such a prodigious relationship at all. What a gift I had been given, and although it was taken from me far before I ever thought it would be, today I stand grateful for the eight years we journeyed together.
I am a classical flutist, and hope to publish a second book about my experiences in the world of lesbian dating and online connections.
My first, and only book so far, is The Dust Busting Chronicles, a candid look at my partner's illness, my coping mechanism (OCD-cleaning), and the process of slowly losing one's love to the arms of death.
Contact Cheryl
I wanted to publish right away, as soon as the book was finished. I was unable to find a publisher, or agent, that was interested in the story at that time, so I chose authorhouse.com to publish my book. My friend, Beth, designed the cover. I wanted to raise money for The Ovarian Cancer Research fund in NYC (50% of the profits of the book go to The OCRF). Presently, there is no diagnostic tool to detect OC. Its symptoms often mimic other, more mundane, conditions, such as bloating, fatigue, and weight gain.
I used my book signing forums in Wilmington to help educate women about the risk factors and symptoms of the disease. I believe that out of tragedy, some good has come. And my deceased partner would agree wholeheartedly.
