Lemont Author Shares Cancer Journey In New Memoir

LEMONT, IL — Local author and historian Pat Camalliere is known around the area for her knowledge of Lemont history and her Cora Tozzi historical mystery series, which features places like Black Partridge Woods and Sag Bridge.

In her latest book, Camalliere delved into a more personal place, writing about her experience with head and neck cancer. Her latest book, a memoir, is entitled, "Staying Alive Is A Lot Of Work: Me and My Cancer."

Camalliere said she thought writing this memoir would be easy, since it was personal experience. She also added that it was actually the third time she'd written about her cancer, because she had recorded it in her blog and portions in her novel, "The Miracle at Assisi Hill."

"However, it took just as much time and effort as my novels that required a lot of research," she told Patch. "I couldn't make something up to fit the story. I had to be very accurate and that took a lot of time."

Camalliere said that writing a memoir is also very different from writing fiction, and it was a new skill she had to master.

The book is available in print and Kindle on Amazon and locally. A portion of the proceeds from each book sale goes to Wellness House, a support organization for cancer survivors in Hinsdale.

Camalliere will also hold a book signing at Smokey Row Antiques in downtown Lemont on Saturday, from 2 to 6 p.m., during Lemont's Ice and Lights Fest.

Camalliere said her hope is that she can educate people on what it is like to be a cancer patient.

"I hope it helps other cancer patients through their journey to wellness," she said. "I hope it helps people who love a person going through cancer therapy to understand what is happening to their loved one and how best to help them. I hope it helps people who treat cancer to better understand the emotional as well as the physical challenges their patients are experiencing, and things they have learned on their own to help them cope with this nasty disease. I hope it is a good read for people who enjoy reading memoir and want to know about surviving one of life's greatest challenges."

Camalliere will also be at the Glen Ellyn Library book fair on Jan. 25, and in an upcoming interview for Chicago Writes Podcast, which will release on Feb. 1.