When life throws you a curveball, sometimes the best response is to chase your dreams with reckless abandon. That’s exactly what Lila Grant did after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. In 2011, tests revealed not one, but two tumors in her left breast, along with cancerous lymph nodes. It was a heavy blow — stage 2B breast cancer — and Lila, along with her family, struggled to come to terms with the news. After a double mastectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, she thought the worst was behind her. At 51, she was excited to spend time with her two adult daughters and fantasized about a cozy retirement filled with grandchildren.
But, as it often happens, cancer wasn’t done with her just yet.
When a stubborn lesion on her scalp refused to heal after months, Lila’s intuition urged her to advocate fiercely for her health. After a frustrating journey through 11 different doctors, a dermatologist finally performed a biopsy. The results were devastating: stage 4 breast cancer. The disease had spread to her sternum, hip, clavicle, several vertebrae, and under her arm.
Faced with this grim reality, Lila made a bold choice, and her family wasn’t surprised when she shared her plan. She decided to leave her fast-paced job as a stockbroker to pursue a long-held dream of writing children’s books. Her family cheered her on, thrilled that she was finally taking the plunge into her passion. “Life suddenly became too short, and I wanted a career that brought me joy,” she shared.
Reflecting on her earlier experiences, Lila recalled her time working in elementary schools and the joy that came from engaging with children. She often read to her daughters’ classes and relished the laughter and honesty that kids bring. “I wanted to create stories that would resonate with families,” she said.
Thus began her journey as an author. With inspiration drawn from her nephew’s hilarious experience with a babysitter, Lila crafted a whimsical tale about a little boy who concocts outrageous plans to escape his babysitter’s grasp—one of which hilariously involves him trying to bite her. “Don’t Bite the Babysitter” captures the chaos of childhood in a way that parents will find all too familiar. Lila noted that this story is relatable because we’ve all uttered phrases to our kids that we never thought we would have to say.
In the early drafts of her book, Lila even attempted her own illustrations. However, after reading a test version to a fourth-grade class, she soon realized her artistic skills might need an upgrade when a trio of young girls offered to help. That’s when she brought on talented illustrator Jade Fang, whose artwork brought her story to life in a way Lila had only dreamed of.
Now, Lila faces one last challenge before sharing her vibrant tale with the world: funding. Along with her daughters, she launched a Kickstarter campaign to cover the costs of self-publishing her book. She hopes her journey will inspire others to reflect on their own dreams that may have been sidelined for family or career obligations. “I want people to support my dream and to feel encouraged to chase their own before it’s too late,” Lila expressed.
During our chat, Lila recounted a touching moment from earlier that day. While taking a stroll along the beach, she found a beautiful seashell. She offered it to a little boy passing by with his mom, and his face lit up with joy. “It cost me nothing to make that child smile, and that’s the feeling I want my readers to take away from my story,” she said.
Lila hopes her story will inspire women to pursue their dreams because life truly is fleeting. She emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts—both in chasing aspirations and in matters of health. “You know your body best. If something feels off, listen,” she advised.
With her stockbroking days firmly behind her, Lila is eager for the future and has 15 more stories already in the works, including a series with a recurring character. Her journey shows us all that it’s never too late to follow your passions, even in the face of adversity.
If you’d like to support Lila and her mission, check out her Kickstarter. For just $15, you can snag a softcover version of “Don’t Bite the Babysitter,” or for $20, a hardcover edition can be yours.
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In summary, Lila Grant’s inspiring journey from stockbroker to children’s author demonstrates that life can change in an instant, and pursuing your passions is a vital part of living fully. Her story serves as a powerful reminder to trust ourselves and chase our dreams, no matter the obstacles.