A breast cancer survivor since 1993, Beverly Katherine Kirkhart started treatment like most cancer victims: filled with anger, fear and anxiety. As a result, she spent the night following her first chemotherapy dose vomiting, constipated, sweating, and feverish - leading her to the realization that her body was sending a message: let go of those hateful and angry emotions.

Kirkhart immediately began researching techniques to help her change her attitude, address her fear of death, and find peace in her situation. Among them, she found her greatest comfort in keeping a daily journal - which led to the creation of her just-published book, My Healing Companion.

Based on the belief that it's how we look at our challenges and tragedies that determines how we come through them, My Healing Companion is filled with healing exercises and Kirkhart's own experiences coping, adjusting and turning cancer into a positive force in her life. Most important, it's designed to serve as a self-guided journal - with ample writing space for anyone coping with cancer (or any disease or disability) to record their own journey of self-realization and empowerment - and ultimately find serenity on the road to survival.

"Being diagnosed with breast cancer was the turning point in my life. On reflection, I realize that this was the moment when my new life emerged! It forced me to make choices that helped me to discover my inner strength and take back my life shifting from 'why me?' to 'Why not me?', she writes in the introduction to My Healing Companion.