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We Had to Be

by Joely A Serino

  • Independent
  • 2022
  • ISBN: 979-8834974673
  • 245 pages
  • WorldCat
We Had to Be book cover
About the Book

Hearing the words, "You have breast cancer,” is a devastating blow. To help process their experience and to cope, many individuals turn toward writing and the arts to express themselves and their feelings during this tumultuous time. We Had To Be: An Anthology by Breast Cancer Survivors, Previvors, Thrivers, & their Families, curated and edited by Joely A. Serino, is filled with the writings and artwork of over 30 individuals from more than 8 different countries sharing how breast cancer touched their lives and changed them.  ebook icon Audio book icon
Joely Serino photo
About the Author

A middle school English Language Arts teacher in New Jersey for 20 years, Joely A Serino started writing poetry to inspire her students -- and she never looked back. She received "Teacher of the Year" twice. Then in January of 2020, right before the world shutdown due to COVID-19, she was was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Because of pandemic guidelines, she went through two surgeries, 6 months of TC chemotherapy, and 6 weeks of radiation without the company of family and friends. She hopes her book will help people feel not so alone while going through their cancer journey like she did. Living with her husband and two mini dachshunds, Joely is now cancer-free, working her way through survivorship while on Tamoxifen and continuing to enjoy reading and writing.

Read more of her poetry on Instagram @beautifulmesspoetess

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last updated: 12/13/25 17:55