Not In

Session

Some people are remembered by their diagnosis.

Others by their silence.

I hope this book helps us remember them by their humanity.

Before You Continue

I invite you to read slowly.

These stories were never written to be consumed.

They were written to be experienced.

Take your time.

Sit with the questions.

Notice what lingers after each chapter.

Allow yourself to see these women beyond the labels they've been given—and perhaps, in doing so, see yourself or someone you love with a little more grace.

If you finish this book with more compassion than certainty, then these pages have done exactly what they were meant to do.

Long before we are given labels,

we are given stories.

May we never confuse one for the other.

With gratitude,

— Bijou