Lucky Girl

About the Book

Sharon had all the advantages, truly lucky! She grew up in a loving and stable

family, graduated from the college of her choice, began her career in a town that

she loved, Charlotte, and met and married the love of her life. For a decade they

led an ideal life. Th en illness struck - she was diagnosed at 42 with stage III breast

cancer. She takes us through her various therapies with clarity and humor, lucky girls

don’t question or complain. Th en, one month after she completed her treatment,

her husband, David, was diagnosed with “Lou Gherig’s Disease” (ALS). Sharon

chronicles his saga, ending with his death 5 years later. Shortly afterwards her cancer

recurs. Th roughout this story Sharon notes the friends, new and old, who provided

so many kindnesses to them and how they dealt with such horrible problems -

making her truly a “Lucky Girl”. Th is is a story of strength, love and commitment.

To quote a friend: “Sharon brings us hope. Hope for the day. Hope you can move

past pain and loss. Hope to believe there’s a new day.”

About the Author

Sharon Hammond Mcalister was born and grew up in Durham, NC. She is new to the field of authorship, but has an extensive background in writing. Public relations was her primary fi eld, later branching out into creative writing. She has written about the diseases that she (breast cancer), then her husband (ALS or “Lou Gherig’s Disease”), developed. Despite the stresses and strains of these illnesses she writes with humor and humility. She died May 28, 2009 after writing the majority of this book. CHARLES B HAMMOND, MD is Sharon’s father and a long-time academician. An Obstetrician-Gynecologist, he chaired the Department at Duke University for 22 years. He has published over 400 scientifi c articles and books. He is now retired and completed this book after Sharon’s death. He and his wife, Peggy (Sharon’s mother) live in Durham, NC with their two dachshunds and Sharon and David’s two Jack Russell Terriers.