The husband of an active-duty Navy Nurse Corps officer is using his own experience as a childhood cancer survivor to help readers of any age understand the healthcare journeys of loved ones.
Author Brady Lucas, a military spouse, wrote “Smiley’s Smile” in which Smiley — a turtle — is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes treatment, with support from his friends Rocky and Ollie.
Lucas’s own journey inspired his writing. At age 8, he was diagnosed with leukemia and went through three years of intensive treatment.
“During that time, education was a beacon of light for me and my family. If I could get educated about treatment, I had autonomy,” Lucas said during a video interview.
In 2010, he survived a second cancer diagnosis, prompting him to use his experiences to better the lives of others within the cancer community: not only child patients but also friends and family members.
“I wanted to educate the community about cancer and start the dialogue so children can ask questions,” he said. “The book helps a parent or grandparent with a diagnosis talk to kids about what they are going through.”
Lucas said his personal motto, “Smiles make the world go round,” summarizes his positive outlook. His goal in writing is to touch at least one person and inspire readers to pursue their dreams.
His book portrays three characters: Smiley, Rocky and Ollie. Their friendship mirrors Lucas’s brothers, friends and family who supported him throughout his treatments.
“This book shows that one individual cannot go through cancer treatment or other challenges without their friends and family members to support them,” Lucas said.
In the book, these young friends aspire to become professional honeyball players. However, when Smiley can’t throw the ball as far, he goes to the doctor and is diagnosed with cancer. He undergoes chemotherapy, which is symbolized by “special honey.” He then loses his shell.
“Smiley’s Smile” focuses on a message of support. Since cancer isn’t contagious, readers discover the importance of creating community and memories. Lucas leaves the story’s future open-ended. He recovered from his relapse after a bone marrow transplant from his brother, but every cancer journey is unique.
Now that “Smiley’s Smile” is published, Lucas said one of his goals is to get it into the hands of individuals who can benefit from it.
He has already presented copies of the book to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, where he received treatment as a child. Now, he hopes to reach out to his military community as well.
Lucas said military life taught him a flexibility mindset. Frequent moves offered him a broader perspective and helped him connect with others.
As a male military spouse, Lucas has always felt included within the military community, which he says feels like a family. He encourages fellow male spouses to become comfortable with change and compromise.
“Smiley’s Smile” was published by Chalfant Eckert in May 2023. It is available for purchase on Amazon here and Barnes and Noble here.
