Marisabina russo biography of michael

The revision for my next picture book was late. I usually meet my deadlines, but this time I had a good excuse. A routine colonoscopy had revealed a large tumor, and it was cancerous.

My treatment schedule would last a year, including two rounds of chemo, radiation, and two surgeries. As I approached the day when a port was going to be placed under my collarbone, I finally finished the revision and sent it to my patient editors.

Marisabina russo biography of michael

In my apologetic email, I found myself unable to explain why it had taken me so long. I was afraid my editors would no longer want the book if they knew I was sick. But when we started talking about a delivery date for finished art, I realized I had to come clean.

To my relief, they said I could take as long as I needed. 

As anyone who has faced a cancer diagnosis knows, it is terrifying. To calm myself, I always carried pens and a sketchbook to my appointments. The cr