It’s Not Just the Over-40s

The stories in "Nordie's at Noon" reflect both the triumphs and tragedies of the more than 250,000 American women under 40 who are currently living with breast cancer. The day after Johnson finished her last chemotherapy treatment in February of 2000, she gave birth to her son Parker. Two years later, she became pregnant with her daughter, Emma, and has been cancer free for seven years. Carlos is also healthy; her son, Brandon, is in first grade. But the other two authors haven't been as lucky. Balwanz died in 2003 at the age of 29. Peters' cancer was stable for many years but in the past year, it has spread. "There's no rhyme or reason to any of this," Johnson says. "Patti and Jana were both Stage 1 with their cancers and I've survived Stage 2. Why do Kim and I survive and they had to deal with so much?"

After Balwanz died, her family collected her journals so the women could finish their book. They hope to inspire other young women to become advocates for their own medical care. "Do whatever it takes to feel good about your health and build a team with your medical doctors," says Carlos. "At the end of the day, no one's looking out for you but you." That's a message that should resonate with women of all ages.

© 2006