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Eight years ago, Patricia Theis was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She had surgery at the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus and underwent chemotherapy. As is the case for many patients, Patricia lost her hair and experienced fatigue.

Beyond the discomfort of the disease and its treatment, Patricia was the object of some jokes and teasing, even from people who knew of her health problems. One source of comfort was her cat, Clarabelle, who spent many hours keeping silent company with her ailing mistress. A Siamese/Persian mix, Clarabelle now is 4 years old.

About three weeks ago, Patricia and her husband, Matthew, received the first copies of a children's book they have written about Patricia and her faithful Clarabelle. They already have done four book signings in Findlay and are to be in Tiffin 3-5 p.m. this Saturday at Paper and Ink in downtown Tiffin. Clarabelle is expected to accompany the Theises for the event.

"People that have a relative who had cancer ... have looked at it and just started crying because it brought back memories of their own situation," Matthew said. "We really feel that the good Lord is the one that inspired Pat to start writing. It was kind of a family project all the way along."

The book is closely based on Patricia's experiences during recovery from her cancer. Clarabelle even took on some of Patricia's physical characteristics. The cat's long, soft hair needs frequent grooming to keep it smooth, but Patricia did not have the energy give her pet enough attention. Clarabelle's coat became hopelessly matted and had to be shaved. All of this is incorporated into the text and illustrations.

"Her picture is on the back of the book," Patricia said.

The story is fictionalized a bit when Clarabelle is teased for her unusual appearance. The loss of hair strengthens the bond between Patricia and her cat and promotes the idea that one's virtues and value go beyond outward appearances. The book also emphasizes cancer can strike people of all ages. The discomfort can be magnified, especially for children, when they hear unkind remarks from people who don't know the facts. The book's message is one of tolerance and sensitivity for humans - and cats - who may not look "normal."

"Cats are good therapy," Matthew said, pointing out the picture of Clarabelle stretched out on top of her owner as Patricia rests on the couch. "That's about as real as (the illustrator) could get. Clarabelle doesn't do that with me, but with Pat, that's where she'd lay, right up on top. That's her spot. Still today, that's her spot."

Patricia recalled how Matthew and her children, ranging in age from 25 to 33, collaborated to bring the project to fruition.

"We have four grown children, three girls and one boy," Patricia said. "When we came up with the idea for the book, we wrote down the basis for the story. We got together in an afternoon and set up some more of it. After we had the story line, we came up with what pictures we wanted. Our daughters added to it," Patricia said.

One daughter, a graphic artist, oversaw the layout and set up Clarabelle's Web site, www.clarabellethecat.com. In choosing a publisher, the couple met with another author from the area, Stacey Gable, who had been pleased with Dog Ear Publishing. The Theises settled on Dog Ear, as well. Matthew is hoping adults, as well as children, can take a lesson from the story.

"Maybe it's going to sink in that cancer doesn't kill you right away. People do survive it," Matthew said. "The book has a great message. It's a beautifully illustrated book Our minister's wife at church did the illustrations for it. That's a godsend in itself." Matthew said.

Karen Norheim, a freelance writer, did the illustrations for the Theises. The couple had seen murals Norheim had painted on the church walls, liked her style and invited her to paint Clarabelle. Although she had not worked on a children's book before, she accepted the invitation. Norheim has published many articles for "The Lookout," "Integrity," "Just Between Us," and "The Christian Standard." Her book, "Mrs. Preacher," was published by College Press of Joplin, Mo.

When the book was nearly completed, Matthew and Patricia met with Stacey Gabel to get her input on a publisher. The couple ended up choosing Dog Ear, the same company that produced Gabel's "The New Blue Tractor." One of the first sales was to the driver who delivered the boxes of books.

"I opened up the box and he takes the book just like this and looks at it. He says, 'I'll take it,'" Matthew said.

"It was wonderful to actually see it happen, holding the book. This took a long time, and without the help of our children and my husband. ... It's just a dream come true to actually see it," Patricia said.

So far, the authors have received many positive comments about the book and are pleased that so many people can relate to it. Some parents have said their children have asked to hear the story multiple times. The book signings in Findlay included the annual meeting for Hancock Cancer Patient Services. People at the cancer center were amazed at the book's message and art.

Although Clarabelle has a rather shy nature, she has been making appearances with Patricia. At TSC in Findlay, the cat was content as long as she could be close to her mistress. The authors hope to schedule some readings in county and city school systems with Clarabelle.

"We've got a firm commitment to the Findlay area and the Seneca County area," Matthew said.

Patricia and Matthew were classmates and high school sweethearts at New Riegel High School, graduating in 1971. Before she became ill, Patricia worked at ICP in Tiffin until working into the wee hours of the morning became too difficult for her. She recalled several co-workers had participated in the Polar Bear Jump in Tiffin, a benefit for Financial Assistance for Cancer Treatment.

"Where I worked, they always had five or six people that volunteered to do that," Patricia said.

One dollar from the sale of each Clarabelle book is to be donated to cancer-related organizations, such as the James Cancer Center. The Theises are willing to make themselves available for book signings to raise funds for other worthy causes. They would donate a portion of the proceeds from the event.

Clarabelle is to be the main character for two more books the Theises have in the works. Patricia has been working on them in spite of the return of her cancer after being cancer-free for five years.

"We've already got the name picked out for the next two books, and she's already started to put the story lines together," Matthew said. "We're just trying to work with what the Lord gave us and let him take care of it."

"Clarabelle the Cat Loses Her Hair" is 24 pages with a soft cover. The cost is $10.95 from the authors and slightly more from Amazon.com and other online booksellers. Clarabelle and the Theises are to be at Paper and Ink in Tiffin from 3-5 p.m. Saturday to sign and sell books. They are to return to Tiffin at 6:30 p.m. March 19 to do a program, read the story and sign books. Interested people can register by calling the library at (419) 447-3751. To schedule a book signing, please e-mail help@clarabellethecat.com or call (419) 424-1419. Clarabelle's Web site is www.clarabellethecat.com.