Darcy J. Busch, children's author

Sorry that I haven't been here much, but I have been so busy with Christmas and my family.  First news:  We learned the results of my mom's endoscopy for her cancer.  It was negative and showed that all traces of her cancer are gone.  It was our Christmas miracle, because 2 weeks prior we were told that the chemo wasn't working, so somewhere between those days the cancer vanished.  I am so thankful for all of the prayers from everyone.  Second news: Second Lily book, Lily and the Hidden Secrets is at the publishers and is undergoing editing. I will post the release date as soon as I receive it.  Third news: For my New Years Resolution I have decided to get healthier.  I will be giving up all sweets for one week.  I am hoping this will make it easier for me to walk away from all of the bad junk food that I crave.  I have also gotten more active at the gym and I am back to running.  I hope that by the summer I will lose at least 20 pounds, hopefully 30.  I will let everyone know how I am doing.  Well I guess that's it for now.

Take care,

Darcy

Sorry that I haven't written anything lately. I have been so busy with finals and trying to find time to do some Christmas shopping. Ok...Now here is an update on my mom: She had endoscopy with a biopsy last Wednesday, the doctor told me he saw no sings of cancer at all. This is amazing, because just 2 weeks prior to this she had a CAT scan done that showed no signs of shrinkage from chemo, meaning it wasn't working. So somewhere in that 2 weeks GOD healed her. I believe that this was our family miracle. I can't believe how excited my whole family got. Mom had beat this cancer and she totally kicked its butt!!!

As for me, my stomach has been bothering me. My doctor did some blood work on me and first put me on some meds. I went back today and he told me that he is sending me to another doctor. He wants to have an endoscopy done to make sure that I don't have what mom had. I feel it my gut, that I do. I talked with my twin sister about how I prayed to God to take mom's cancer and give it to me, and how I truly feel that is what is happening. She tried to convince me otherwise, but couldn't. I guess now we wait for my test in January to find out. I'm not scared, because like I told God, I'm stronger than mom, let me fight it. I don't know, maybe I am just over reacting to the whole situation. Oh well, enough of that.....

I want to take a moment and wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday. May all of your wishes come true.

Darcy

Friday, September 05, 2008 :
I have decided to keep a diary of my mom's struggle with cancer.  She is having surgery on Monday and then on Tuesday will being chemo.  I am going to begin making entries to this journal on Monday and talk about how she is doing daily.  Please say a prayer for her.

Sunday, September 07, 2008 :
I just got in Salina a little while ago and thought I would check in first.  My stomach is so nervous about my mom's surgery tomorrow I can't even eat.  All I've had today is a donut this morning and some coffee.  I hope I will be able to sleep tonight, I really don't think I will be able to.  I am going to sign out for tonight and tomorrow night I will write how the surgery went.  Keep mom in your prayers.

Monday, September 08, 2008:
Well I am back in my room.  Mom's surgery went well.  When she was admitted her blood pressure shot up really high, but the doctors got it under control and did the surgery.  She now has the port inserted in her chest and is ready for chemo tomorrow morning.  She began hurting around 2:00 so I gave her some some medicine and it knocked her out; so I decided to return to my room to get caught up on everything.  We learned at the cancer center this morning that it is almost a cetainty that she will loose her hair.  I keep teasing her that maybe it will come back blonde and she'll be better than ever!  Mom hasn't shed one tear or at least not in front of me.  I almost feel like I need to see her show some emotion, I don't know why?  I pray that isn't selfish of me, if it is then I pray God will forgive me and give me the strength to continue each day with a smile on my face like mom.  Tomorrow will the real test of her strength.  Chemo will last 8 hours and will almost certainly wear her out.  I will sign off for now and will check back in tomorrow.  I want to thank everyone for their prayers.  I really feel they will work.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008:|
I just got back to my room from mom's first round of chemo.  She really took it like a pro.  Every time a nurse asked how she was doing, she simply said that she was doing fine and that's how it was going to be.  She is very vocal about telling everyone that she is tough and will not let the meds get her down.  I think she is one tough cookie and if anyone can beat this she can.  Mom's chemo lasted pretty close to  8 hours and she tried hard not to fall asleep.  I did catch her dozing off a couple of times, but she always snapped out of it.  She has managed to keep her appetite and so far has no side effects.  The nurse said that the first IV bag of meds was the most powerful and if she was going to have a reaction, this would definately be the one.  Fortunately, she had none, at least so far.  I think if tomorrow if she is feeling fine, I am going to head for home.  She has another doctor appointment next week, so I will be returning to Salina then.  Mom has to go daily to get injections to help with her white cell counts, but other than that she won't have another chemo until October 1.  I am so proud of my mom and I know if anyone can beat this cancer it is her.  Again I want to thank everyone for their prayers and I will blog again tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008:
Mom had no trouble last night.  One of the side effects was suppose to be sleeplessness, but fortunately she slepted soundly.  Mom was full of energy today, with the exception of a cold, she is doing great.  We went to the senior center and had lunch.  It was great to see mom talking with other people and watch her talk about her cancer and how she is going to beat it.  She finally told me that if she does loose her hair, she doesn't want to wear a hat; she wants a scarf, and maybe a wig.  I still can't believe how much energy she has.  I pray that this will continue and she won't have to face anything horrible.  I am now back in Wichita and plan on returning to Salina on next Wednesday for her next appointment.   Since mom is doing so good, I thought this would be a good chance for me to return to school for a few days so I can catch up on my missed assignments.  My teachers have been simply wonderful.  I guess I will wrap this up and hopefully talk with mom tomorrow and give an update at a later date.

Friday, September 12, 2008:
Mom is still doing really good.  I am almost too scared to write this, but its the truth.  She is suppose to drink 2-3 quarts of water a day, but mom is really not much for drinking water anyway so this is giong to take a lot bugging her to get her to drink all of that water.  She has another doctor appoinment on Wednesday and then we wait until October 1 for her next chemo.  I pray that she continues to feel really good.  I am so worried that one day, she will wake up and that's when it will hit her.  I pray that day doesn't come.  I am so tired, that I am heading off to bed really early tonight. 

These are my most recently entries of my myspace blog.  Mom is continuing to do great and I hope that she continues.

Darcy

   I am sorry that I haven't written much lately.  I was eagerly working away on my next Lily book, when I found out my mom had been diagnosed with lymphoma.  Her stomach lining is completely surrounded with tumors.  The doctors now have her on tons of meds.  If they meds aren't shrinking the tumors in two weeks, the doctors want to begin chemo.  She has already lost 40 pounds.  Those that know me are familiar with the fact that my mom raised me and my siblings all by herself.  She is the one person that made me become the individual that I am today. I can't even imagine my life without her in it. 
    Now back to my writing...  Lily had just lost a close friend of hers to the evil, Michael and now her best friend, Nick is missing.  This book was really coming together fairly quickly, before I found out about my mom.  I sit down and try to write whenever I get a chance, but I've lost my motivation.  I am asking those who enjoy reading my works, please email me with encouraging words.  I feel that might be the only thing that is going to get me out of this depression that I have found myself.  I sure would enjoy hearing from you.

Until next time,
Darcy J. Busch
darcyjbusch@att.net

Book reviewed: "The Adventures of Lily"
Author: Darcy J. Busch

Darcy Busch's "The Adventures of Lily" begins with the history of the
Taemites, but I don't dare to describe the creatures for fear of
giving the secret away; and the introduction of twelve-year-old Lily
Wright, a dreamer in every sense of the word. Lily is a detective as
well as a dreamer, we soon learn, going on adventures of many sorts,
usually accompanied by her best friend, Nick.
On the particular morning the story begins, Lily was confident that
she was going to find a big mystery before the summer and consequent
summer break were over. The small town of Scott City was known to have
unexplainable events, and Lily just knew that one of these had to be
the mystery she was searching for. With Nick safely in tow, and her
investigative backpack firmly strapped to her shoulders, she bikes to
the abandoned junkyard. There, they find a small, simple wooden box
with a picture of a tree on it. But that wooden box turns out to be
the first clue in Lily's biggest mystery yet.
The search for explanations involves the library, a map, and multiple
cases: helping a classmate come to terms with her changing life,
finding the Chosen One of the Taemites, stepping through a mirror,
meeting a new neighbor, and being captured.
But in the end, I must assure you, both Lily and Nick return to Scott
City, unscathed. Their adventures are put on hold for a time, but they
do continue, as Mrs. Busch is completing the sequel.
All in all, I consider "The Adventures of Lily" to be very well
written with a complex and believable plotline. Mrs. Busch leaves the
reader wondering, constantly, as to what will happen next. This is a
recommended read for preteens and tweens.
I give "The Adventures of Lily" 4 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Madison C. Scott, author of Reba

Title: The Adventures of Lily

Author: Darcy J Busch

Genre: Children's Short Stories

Length: 120 pages

The Adventures of Lily by Darcy J. Busch is a delightful book of children's short stories.  Lily, a young girl with a panache for solving mysteries, is accompanied by her best friend, Nick, in a series of strange mysteries that take place in their hometown.  Filled with genuine situations, and a true childlike curiosity, The Adventures of Lily is a delight from beginning to end.  I will happen to share these tales with my six year old nephew soon.

This is a four **** star book.

Review by: B.B. Walter

5-29-2008

Today I made the decision to give up on my dream of becoming a doctor.  I am having such a hard time grasping the whole Organic Chemistry concept; so talked with my advisor and have decided to switch my major over to elementary or middle school education.  I know this isn't exactly how I had planned my future, but then again, I never planned on being a published author.  With me being a teacher, that will free up my summers, which will give me time to continue my wriitng.  I spent a lot  of time praying to God for guidance and really feel this is the way I need to go.  As my advisor put it, "you never planned on becoming a writer and look where that has taken you."  I know that being a teacher is rewarding, since I was a preschool teacher for many years.  In Wichita, Kansas there is a need for science teachers, and with all of my science classes I should be a good fit.

Enough of my rambling on.  I do have plenty to do, so until next time.

Darcy

I have an article that is appearing in Impact Times magazine.  I am posting a link to it.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

Darcy

http://www.impacttimes.com/articles.html

I just returned from my appearance at Scott City, Kansas elementary school.  It was wonderful to return to my old hometown.  I got to meet so many new people and even got to see some familiar ones that I haven't seen in such a long time.  It was really wild to have some of the students come up to me to receive an autographed book and then to learn that I had attended school with their parent was wonderful.  I toured the town and relived some fond memories.  I am hoping to return in the summer to do a reading for their library reading prgram.  I am eager to see what the newspaper printed about me as well.  I will be returning to western Kansas on June 14 at Hastings Books, and still excited to see even more faces.  I want to post a special note to my friends and former classmates and teachers:  If you want to contact me, please do by emailing me at  darcyjbusch@att.net  I would love to catch up on old times.  Well I guess I'd better get back to work.

    Wow, I have been so busy with school, trying to get my next book completed and getting book signings scheduled.  I am happy to say that Borders has agreed to place my book in their store and have asked me to have a book signing on June 7 from 12-2 in WIchita, Kansas.  I am also talking with Barnes & Noble and looks as if I will be having a signing with them in the summer.  I feel like my next Lily book is beginning to get a little more scarier than the first, I only hope that it won't scare away my younger readers. 

   I have added several author pages to this site, because I have made a lot of new friends and am honoring their friendship by promoting their books on my site. 

   Classes are really keeping me busy.  I am taking Organic Chemistry and Biology II.  I love them both so much.  Speaking of my classes, I need to go and continue my studying, I have an Organic test on Monday.

Until next time,

Darcy

Hello,

I have started a page on myspace, but unfortunately I am having problems getting friends.  I am asking those that have pages on myspace to go to my site and request to be my friend.  I would love to spend more time talking with everyone.

Thanks,

Darcy

http://www.myspace.com/djbusch6