Book "Happy Memories"

A very personal testimony from someone who faced and overcame two oncological problems. The memories of my life, the love for my children and faith were the three determining pillars for overcoming illnesses.

Not being a writer, the idea of writing this book came when Dr. Ilda Faustino and Dr. Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues, doctors who accompanied me in oncology and neurology, told me   “ You have a knack for writing, why don’t you think about writing a book.”

I was very surprised by this compliment as I had never thought of such a thing, but I immediately felt enormous strength within me. I closed my eyes, began to travel through my memories, remembering my childhood, the village where I was born, the parish of Serafão, belonging to the municipality of Fafe, a land to which I am proud to belong and where I was very loved.

This book tells my life journey from my childhood in Serafão, my adolescence and my experience in the city of Porto and later in Zimbabwe, Africa, until my return to the city of Fafe, which has welcomed me to this day.

But life wasn't always a bed of roses. Over the years I have faced several illnesses that tested me and forced me to face challenges I never imagined. This book reports on these challenges that I faced since I was a child until the last one in 2020, breast cancer.

"As long as there is a road to walk, I will always walk forward, along the road of my life because I too deserve to have peace and be happy!" . May this book be an inspiration to all people and may they find strength and hope in it to never give up on life's adversities. Follow your heart and your dreams, because what is a dream today could be a reality tomorrow!

Momento após rapar o cabelo

About the author

My name is Maria Adelaide de Matos Pinto, I was born in Lordelo, on March 9, 1959, I am a mother of two children and retired due to disability.

I attended Serafão Primary School in the Municipality of Fafe and Telescola, in Garfe. I studied at Colégio Liverpool and Liceu Carolina Michaellis, in Porto. In 1973 I emigrated to Zimbabwe (Africa), where I attended the Franklin Roosevelt Girls High School, the Language Institute and the Professional Career College in Harare. I worked at Colcom Ltd and Atherstone & Cook, in Harare and after returning to Portugal I worked at Fábrica Alvorada, EB1 Matriz (P3) and EB1 Santo in Fafe.

Throughout my life I have had to fight serious health problems in terms of vision, hearing, lumbar spine and recently colon cancer (2018) and breast cancer (2020). Twice I underwent painful chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

Budget and due dates

Total budget: €2000

After raising the necessary budget, the edition begins to be printed by Editora Oficina de Escrita, making it possible to send the books to supporters later.

The remaining amount of the total budget will be donated to social institutions.

Images