About Frame of Mind.
“A book filled with heart, warmth, humor and memorable characters”
— Diane Franklin, Principal, Franklin McMullen Communications
At age 18, Joey Slunisky is excited for the future. With a sharp mind and plenty of ambition, he can’t wait to start college and put himself on the path for his dream career in nuclear and metallurgical engineering.
Then, like a bolt out of the blue comes a shocking diagnosis: cancer. With that one word, Joey feels like his whole world is coming to an end. His first reaction is disbelief, followed by anger, fear, and depression. The deforming cancer surgery cuts out half his throat and left shoulder muscles. The repulsive image takes its toll on his body and his spirit, and all he wants to do is withdraw from the world. But thanks to God’s blessings of the support of a loving family and friends, as well as the intervention of a skilled and caring doctor, Joey is able to heal both physically and mentally. After a few months, he starts college with his ambitions back on track.
Unrelentingly, life hurls overwhelming obstacles in Joey’s path. Repeatedly the cancer rears its ugly head. Every time Joey moves two steps forward, a new cancer diagnosis drags him one step back. Again, the wise and kindly Dr. Saabs intercedes to help keep Joey’s demons at bay. Joey begins to understand that his attitude, even more so than his physical challenges, will determine his future.
With a never-give-up attitude, Joey embarks on a positive start to his career. He finds the love of his life and then parlays a position from a student metallurgist program into an attractive job offer as a metallurgical engineer. It’s a promising start for a young engineer, but Joey has his eyes on a bigger prize. Despite continuous health problems and countless setbacks, Joey never lets go of a professional dream that can be summed up in two words: Oak Ridge.
This inspiring story of a young man who has his life sidelined time and time again shows that while we can’t always control the things that happen to us, we can control how we respond. The type of life we have is dependent upon our frame of mind.
What People Are Saying
The correct “frame of mind” is key to thriving (not just surviving) in life. Joey is a wonderful example of what the human spirit can do when a person focuses not solely on their circumstances but on what they can achieve despite what life may throw at them. Resilience, perseverance, and true faith are the key to growth and thriving in life and Joey teaches us that in every chapter and turn of his life. He ran and continues to run the race worthy of his calling.
The thriving human spirit doesn’t say “Why me?” It says, “Why not me, what does God want me to learn from this and how can I use my circumstances as a testimony to His goodness?” Job well done Joey!
— Daniel M. Ibach, MD
Frame of Mind is not only a story of courage, but it demonstrates the power of the human mind to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and reach for one’s dreams. Dekanich relays his amazing life experiences, good and bad, into a captivating tale that will make you realize your own dreams are obtainable, and the roadblocks of life are passable with the right attitude and support.
— Ellen Boatner, Communications Specialist
Author Steven J. Dekanich has written a book filled with heart, warmth, humor and memorable characters. This is the story of Joey Slunisky, a young man who is diagnosed with cancer just as he is about to start college. Joey goes through the ordeal of surgery and recovery, seemingly overcoming this setback in his life, only to be diagnosed with cancer time and time again. Joey reacts to these continuous disruptions in his life as we all would—with shock, anger, disbelief and, in some cases, despair. However, thanks to the intervention of kindly Dr. Saabs, Joey is able to overcome both the physical and mental anguish that these continuous diagnoses bring into his life. This is a book about hope in the face of adversity, the life-affirming energy that comes from pursuing one’s dream, and a reminder that our ultimate success comes from the love of family and friends—but most importantly from our own positive frame of mind.
— Diane Franklin, Principal, Franklin McMullen Communications
In his semi-autobiographical novel, Frame of Mind, Steven Dekanich has created a character, Joey Slunisky, who contends with many of the issues Dekanich has dealt with during his life: multiple life-threatening cancers beginning as a teenager, operation and rehabilitation again and again through the years and dreams that seem impossible given the impediments life throws up. Like Dekanich, Joey learns valuable lessons about the part his attitude plays in surmounting the obstacles and achieving his goals. Along the way, Joey is helped by the positive influence of his doctors, his college professors, his family and friends, and finally the woman with whom he falls in love. Joey’s story speaks hope and courage to readers facing their own challenges.
— Connie Jordan Green, Author and Workshop Leader
Mom and I shared the experience. For many years she encouraged dad to share his story in hopes that it would inspire those who face similar battles. Finally in fulfilling his promise to her, this story of persistence and true faith will hopefully resonate with others and aid their journey.
— Annette M. Dekanich, RN, BSN, OCN, MBA
Buy Frame of Mind.
At age 18, Joey Slunisky is excited for the future. With a sharp mind and plenty of ambition, he can’t wait to start college and put himself on the path for his dream career in nuclear and metallurgical engineering.
Then, like a bolt out of the blue comes a shocking diagnosis: cancer. With that one word, Joey feels like his whole world is coming to an end.
This inspiring story of a young man who has his life sidelined time and time again shows that while we can’t always control the things that happen to us, we can control how we respond. The type of life we have is dependent upon our frame of mind.