Hi All
I have just read a WONDERFUl book called “Uplift” by Barbara Delinsky. I got it off Amazon on the web.
I SO wish I had read it when I was going through all this in 2005/6 as it may have stopped me feeling as bad as I did.
it is full of inspiring uplifting stories from bc survivors - many years down the line.
It makes you feel that you CAN and you WILL survive this and it will hopefully just be another pile of cr*p that life threw at you.
I know how bad it is when first diagnosed and going through chemo so I just thought I would tell everyone about this.
Love to all
Alise x
My late aunt survived 35 years beyond very serious breast cancer, she was on one of the first chemo trials when they had developed only one drug. She has been my focus all the way through.
Thanks for your recommendation Alise.
Am on my way to get a copy NOW!
Pen x
I can only agree with you they book is great and really positive.
Lynda
When I was going through chemo last year, I always had a day, a couple of days after chemo, when I just wanted to curl up on my bed and cry. So I would do that for an hour or two, then sit up and dip into this book. It never failed to lift my spirits.
I was sent a book from Canada called ‘Breast Cancer:Chicken Soup for the Soul’ It too was full of stories and strategies and I found it a great help.
Are the people featured likely survivors or those who have survived against the odds? I do feel tempted but am afraid of finding it features people with basically hopeful prognoses. Which might not uplift.
Sarcath
Hi All,
I read Uplift too just after dx and I think it helped me see that it wasnt a death sentence and helped me to understand about treatments and side effects etc. It also has a section on telling your children that was a big help.
It is also quite funny in parts.
Love Andrea xx
for sarcath…sarah
Uplift is a great book if you are just looking for lots of upbeat stories about people living with and through primary treatment for breast cancer. There are some good tips and yes some funny parts too. But: I don’t find it an ‘uplifting’ book because it doesn’t engage in any discussion about the kinds of prognoses and diagnoses that people had in the first place.The book was published ibn 2001 and many of the contributors recount their experience from just 2-3 years before and its hard to find many people in it going back as far as the 1980s. (there are a few but not the majority by any means) I’m sure that a number of the women featured have probably long since died. Also its pretty easy to ‘survive’ for 10 years if you had a node negative post meonpausal early stage breast cancer and were never much in danger of dying anyway.
I had a very poor primary diagnosis, and did get a regional recurrence three and half years after diagnosis…the cancer remains active and growing but I’m feeling well nearly 5 years after diagnosis.'I count that a reasonable good news story given the dire beginning…and given whats happen to some I know diagnosed after me with similar prognoses. I’ve been using these forums for over four years, and count many cyber friends and aquaintances also diagnosed around the time I was, also with not so good prognsoes and some/many of them are still NED…I count those ‘uplifting’ stories cause they feel real. I know the bad stories too. I live best by balancing the truth of all these different accounts. In the early days after my primary diagnosis I used to hate ‘uplifting’ stories of people with completedly different kinds of breast cancer. I used to scream :“But how many nodes did they have”
Uplift is a bit too sugary sweet for me…but yes there are some nice accounts…particularly if you just want to hear from people a very short time after intial diagnosis.
best wishes
Jane
Hi Sarah
The book does not give the individual prognosis of the people in it but many of them had mastectomies and chemo so they weren’t all very early stage it would seem.
As Jane says some of the stories are from 2-3 years ago but some of them are from people who were dx in the 1980’s and 90’s.
I would really recommend it as there is not one negative thing in it and if you need cheering up it does the trick.
Love to all
Alise x
it didn’t cheer me up as it’s not my cup of tea. Far too american for my liking, I prefer black humour to saccharine uplift
Mole
Thanks to those of you who picked up on and answered my queries re this book. I’ve gone ahead and ordered it anyway. I was never given a prognosis so am always looking out for ladies with a similar diagnosis! Communication is not a strong point where I attend. I am not sure I particularly want a prognosis - it doesn’t make any difference and I am just trying to do the stuff I like doing before the next onslaught - I am a realist at heart!
Jane, I was sorry to read elsewhere of your current problems and hope they can help you. I was on a trial with a different cancer I have and I think it must have done some good since I am still here. Anything is worth a try.
Sarcath
When first dx’d I didn’t like the personal testimony books because they were ‘not me’ if you understand what I mean. I found good factual books more help. However I think that ‘uplifting’ books do have there place particularly when someone and their family are feeling scared and facing the unknown.
The uplifting experience may take a knock if further treatment is needed but I think it would be easier to cope with when someone has hope. We all cope the way that best suits us and thank goodness there isn’t one size fits all in treatment else it would be in short supply.
I have good days and less good days, the worry never leaves my mind, I am happy to speak of my experiences in public. I see this condition as something that can take my life but I do not have to live dying, that will come in its own good time.
So lets keep reading what suits us and passing ‘good reads’ on to all us forum users.
Takes care all out there
Carol
I’m just feeling on a bit of a downer-not just dx i’ve done the chemo bit etc but just feel this b**** thing is to blame for a lot of things-I suppose its to do with my own self esteem at the moment-not sure if it will be a good time for me to read it.
Hi again,
I think this book is useful for a newly dx person who has just been bombarded with treatment options and is scared stiff. The main thing it helped me with was tips on Chemo and rads and what side effects to expect. I,m a year down the line now and dont think it would have been much help at this stage ( a bit of a seasoned pro ). I have read lots of Bc things but nothing compares with the tips and info that you get from this site.
I agree that it is a bit American and sickly but it def helped me get my head around things while in a shellshocked state. I suppose some people will prefer medical books on BC they just Bamboozle me. Horses for Courses.
Lots of love to everyone Andrea xx
A very good American friend sent me a signed copy of “Beyond Breast Cancer - Our Stories of Hope and Courage”, by Alda Ellis, published 2002. The author lost her mother to bc and shortly afterwards, was dx with it herself. She shares her own story and her conversations with women who reflect on their personal journeys. I found the book uplifting as the stories created a portrait of courage vivid with faith, encouragement and the gift of hope for all women.It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but for me was inspirational - I can find technical information on the net, but a factual book by bc patients is very different.
Liz.