Cancer survivor Beth Gardner reflects on treatment and self-publishes memoir

Beth Gardner, a private-pay outreach specialist with True Care Home Care and author of the memoir 1 Rowing Stroke at a Time, described her cancer diagnosis, treatment and decision to publish during an interview on BronxNet.

Gardner said she received a diagnosis while driving near a hospital and went into shock. She chose home-based chemotherapy on weekend schedules to avoid revealing treatment to her employer and completed 12 consecutive weeks of infusions. She said family support and a determined mindset were central to her recovery.

The book began as a journal and she completed the manuscript in 2004, Gardner said; the pandemic years prompted her to publish and launch a website. She described the memoir as intended to offer hope and solidarity to others facing serious illness. "You're not alone," Gardner said.

Gardner said the book is self-published and linked from her website and is also available on Amazon. She framed the experience as teaching perseverance and compassion and said she hopes readers will find encouragement in her story.

For more information, Gardner directed listeners to her website and the book's Amazon link.