Cancer: How will I get through this? Stories of Hope from Survivors and Caregivers by Kevin Molloy
" An insightful, candid, and encouraging body of information . . enthusiastically recommended." Midwest Book Review
"This book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced cancer or who has a loved one who has braved this disease. It chronicles many different people's experience with the disease and describes how each of them triumphed over their battle with cancer. It gave me hope during a trying time in my life, and I was able to take comfort in the knowledge that I was not alone." Joanna Barker on Amazon
Concentrating on what people can do, Cancer — How will I get through this? addresses the hard-hitting topics of concern to survivors and caregivers with an attitude of hope. The courageous individuals profiled within this book represent a variety of ages, occupations and cancer types. We thank them for sharing their stories.
While most cancer patients and caregivers recognize the destructive physical nature of cancer, few realize the psychological and emotional challenges that this disease may present. Cancer — How Will I Get Through This? Stories of Hope From Survivors and Caregivers is a collection of short vignettes and accounts from a number of cancer survivors and caregivers who have dealt with a wide variety of cancers. Through the telling of their stories, they reveal the psychological and emotional challenges they faced and overcame, challenges that are common to others dealing with the disease (for example, dealing with the fear of a recurrence and experiencing anxiety about starting chemotherapy).
The book makes no attempt to advise readers to deal with their challenges in the same way as the survivors in the book. Instead, it allows readers to draw their own conclusions and apply them to their personal situations, ultimately enabling them to gain insight into their own struggles and to emerge with hope and confidence as they realize that they, too, can triumph over similar challenges.
Two of the most important features of the book are its uplifting tone and the ease with which readers will be able to relate to the stories. First, the tone is such that, whenever a problem is presented, it is followed by the survivors' and caregivers' solutions to these problems. This concentration on what people can do, instead of what they can't, allows the book to deal with hard-hitting topics while bringing a message of hope to the readers.
Second, readers can easily relate to the stories of these survivors and caregivers because they are told by ordinary people who have dealt with a wide range of cancers (everything from malignant brain tumors to breast cancer; from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to leukemia), and who come from different backgrounds (from an impoverished mother living in rural Kansas to a successful businessman in New York City) and age groups (ranging from thirteen to sixty-five years old).
In addition, the layout of the book makes it especially easy to read. Each chapter in the book contains short vignettes on a central theme. For example, there are chapters that deal with the diagnosis, first steps (the time before starting treatment), treatment, finding support, specific caregiver issues, and an inspirational "in retrospect" section where the survivors and caregivers look back on their experiences and offer a final message of support. This format effectively holds the interest of readers and easily accommodates any need to access information on a particular topic.
Cancer — How Will I Get Through This? is certain to be both a benefit and an inspiration to cancer patients and their loved ones. The author has set up a website with Cancer Support Links (categorized by type of cancer). Please visit it and share it with others.
Format: Perfectbound paperback and ebook/Kindle; 160 pages
ISBN-10: 0-9760576-8-9;ISBN-13: 978-0-9760576-8-0
Paperback Retail Price: $ 14.95 Ebook/Kindle Retail Price: $6.99
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About the Author:
Kevin Molloy has always had a passion for writing and journalism. After a close friend was diagnosed with cancer, Molloy witnessed the numerous psychological and emotional challenges his friend faced and decided to take action by interviewing survivors and caregivers about their challenges and how they were ultimately able to resolve them. "The best part of the project was the fact that I was able to find such amazing people who were willing to share their experiences to inspire others," Molloy says. "It is my hope that people who read Cancer: How Will I Get Through This? will glean valuable insights from these survivors as they learn that others have been through similar challenges and prevailed."
After graduating with honors from the University of California, San Diego, Molloy obtained his master's degree in International Policy from Duke University. He currently works for the United States Agency for International Development as a foreign service officer.
Are you or a loved one dealing with Breast Cancer? Consider our book, I Didn't Order This Pink Ribbon, by Alice Krumm, a nurse and vibrant mother who, with her husband and two daughters, faced breast cancer and came through victoriously