At sixteen, a leukemia diagnosis derails the author’s plans and reshapes adolescence into a world of hospital rooms, chemo schedules, and medical uncertainty. What follows is a candid account of growing up too fast, where sarcasm becomes a coping mechanism and laughter often coexists with fear. Supported by a steadfast family, devoted teachers, and unforgettable companions met along the way, the author learns to endure treatment while holding onto moments of joy in the most unlikely places.
This memoir goes beyond survival to explore the complicated aftermath of remission. It confronts survivor’s guilt, the emotional whiplash of “getting better,” and the lingering presence of those who didn’t make it out. Healing proves nonlinear, messy, and deeply human—marked by both gratitude and grief, and by the slow process of finding meaning after chaos.
Honest, heartfelt, and still healing, this story is for anyone facing illness, loss, or an unexpected detour from the life they imagined. It offers a reminder that healing has no timeline, strength often comes from leaning on others, and even the darkest chapters can hold moments of light. Ten percent of proceeds support childhood cancer research, because as long as children are still fighting cancer, we can do better.
C is for Childhood Cancer: And Other Lessons Cancer Taught Me” ebook preorder link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
The time Katie met Johnny Depp thanks to Make A Wish Foundation
Author Bio:
Katie is an author and dedicated chemistry teacher whose resilience as a cancer survivor shapes her work. A Make-A-Wish recipient, she now gives back as a volunteer Wish Granter. A lifelong traveler (usually to London) and unabashed Johnny Depp/Lana Parrilla fan, she balances creativity with heart. At home, she cherishes time with her family, her husband, and their dog, drawing inspiration from love, gratitude, and the adventures that continue to guide her stories.
Instagram/Threads: @KatieVandrilla
Inspiration behind the book:
I wanted to tell the story I wish I’d had while I was going through treatment—one that didn’t sugarcoat the fear, but also didn’t forget the humor. Cancer shaped my childhood in ways I didn’t fully understand until later, and writing this book became a way to process that experience while hopefully helping others feel less alone. Writing forced me to slow down and really sit with experiences I had compartmentalized for years. It didn’t “fix” everything, but it helped me understand myself better and gave meaning to things that once just felt chaotic. I hope that readers see that healing has no timeline, that it’s okay to feel conflicting emotions, and that needing support doesn’t make you weak. I hope they see that even in the hardest chapters, moments of light can still exist. And maybe inspire some to share their own stories.
10% of proceeds will go to support childhood cancer research because the story doesn’t end with me. As long as children are still being diagnosed and suffering, there’s more work to be done. This book is personal, but the mission is bigger than one story.
C is for Childhood Cancer
And Other Lessons Cancer Has Taught Me
Written By Katie Vandrilla
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews
First, I want to thank Katie Vandrilla for providing me with this book so
I may bring you this review.
Katie Vandrilla needs to be commended for her bravery in opening up her heart and taking us with her on her journey through C is for Childhood Cancer and Other Lessons Cancer Taught Me! Katie poured her heart and soul into this book and it showed how passionate she was about educating her readers on this topic. She even acknowledges how open and honest that she is in this book!
Right from the beginning of this book Katie had my attention! Having your whole family take off a day and spend with you while you get your results!!I Plus, when you had to get called down to your school’s office with your family!! I have major anxiety!! I can’t imagine what was going on inside your head during this time with the fear of the unknown!
There were a lot of things that I loved about this book (and we will get to my ultimate fave in a bit) but I loved how Katie educated me on all things related to Leukemia. There were a lot of things I did not know about this disease that I do know about now.
So many times my heart broke reading about how this disease was causing her so much physical pain and heartbreak. I wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug.
She mentioned in this book about a foot drop. We both share that in common as I too have a foot drop but growing up I was told it was called a dropped foot caused by a botched surgery. I too need to watch where I walk so I don’t trip and fall.
My favorite part of the book for Katie was her love of Johnny Depp and the great lengths she and Make-A-Wish went to go through to grant her wish to make that happen!! I can only imagine how happy she was the day she was when she finally met him!!
One thing I learned about Katie reading this book is she is unique and that we would probably get along if we hung out! So, she has a best friend named Thumper that is a stuffed bunny since her third Easter. She shares stories about him in the book. Fast forward to today we learn that she wrote her first children’s book Thumper’s Hospital Adventures. She would daydream of what Thumper would do in the middle of the night while she was sleeping. Katie kept seeing cancer represented wrong in books and movies where they usually died at the end. There were few stories that inspired her or accurately portrayed the disease so she wrote her own.
Jay Howcroft created the cutest cover for C is for Childhood Cancer. It is colorful and eye-catching!
Katie is donating 10% of all of her proceeds of this book to childhood cancer research.
This book is a must read for any child going through cancer or their caregiver.
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