BOOKS I HAVE FOUND

ESPECIALLY HELPFUL IN MY JOURNEY

 

 

THESE TWO BOOKS ARE FILLED WITH INFORMATION FOR UNDERSTANDING BREAST CANCER AND MAKING TREATMENT DECISIONS

 

John Link, MD, The Breast Cancer Survival Manual

 

This is good first book after a breast cancer diagnosis, providing a clear and easy-to-follow overview of diagnosis and treatment. I found it helpful to read before tackling the more detailed information in Dr. Love's book.


Susan Love, MD, Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book

This very detailed book is the bible of breast cancer treatment -- a "must have" for anyone dealing with breast cancer. The amount of material may seem overwhelming -- start with the chapters that are specifically relevant to you, and move on to others when you need additional information.

 

THESE THREE BOOKS, IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS, HELP NAVIGATE THE JOURNEY ON A PERSONAL LEVEL

Barbara Delinsky. Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors

This is book of brief stories of personal experiences and practical suggestions from many breast cancer survivors. The tone is an up-beat one, which can provide the "uplift" of the title during a very difficult experience. It is a beautiful-to-look-at volume -- I received it, and recommend it, as a thoughtful gift.

 

Christina Middlebrook, Seeing the Crab: A Memoir of Dying Before I Do

This is an intensely personal and deeply honest story of Stage IV metastatic cancer that is in turn angry, poignant, and tremendously life-giving. Even though my experience was far less life-endangering and difficult, the book helped me navigate my own still very frightening diagnosis and treatment with a deep level of self-awareness and centeredness.

(If you have difficulty getting this book, which is definitely still in print in paperback (though not in hardcover), go to the above link, and then click on the book title at the Amazon site. This will take you to a page where you can order used copies.)

 

Susan Kuner, Carol Matzkin Orsborn, Linda Quigley and Karen Leigh Stroup, Speak the Language of Healing: Living With Breast Cancer Without Going to War

This is a beautiful, deeply reflective and woman-centered book offering the experiences of four women from differing spiritual traditions, stages of breast cancer, and treatment approaches. Each woman, in her own unique way, understands her life-threatening illness as an opening to spiritual transformation. The authors say of themselves, "We are not winners, losers, or victims. We are initiates into a deeper understanding of what it means to live, to die, and to be with one another in community."

WEBSITES I RELIED UPON

FOR INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE

 

The National Cancer Institute (NIH)

The very comprehensive breast cancer site of the NCI offers a vast array of resources, including general information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment; coping strategies and self-care; extensive information about clinical trials; a searchable data base; literature resources; complementary and alternative treatments; and access to support and assistance.




Imaginis

If you want to know exactly what to expect at any state of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, or how to understand your pathology report and other information you are given by your treatment team, this site provides it. There is a long list of extremely comprehensive and detailed breast cancer information covering (among other topics) risk factors, diagnostic procedures, staging, surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy. There is information for both patients and professionals (and you may want to explore both). The site is supported by Siemens, a manufacturer of diagnostic and radiation equipment, but is independently operated.

 

ONLINE GROUPS WHICH HAVE GIVEN ME

SUPPORT AND INFORMATION

 

 

Bosom Buds

This is a group of over 200 people, mostly women (but also including some men caregivers and breast cancer patients). This group has been in existence for a number of years and is a treasure trove of information, support, alternative opinions, and a healthy dose of humor and chocolate therapy, with someone available at almost any time of the day or night. To join, send an e-mail to bosombuds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


Ladies with Lymphedema

Lymphedema is an often-ignored and undertreated risk following breast cancer surgery and radiation. This group was recently formed to provide education, information, and support. Members include those at risk (anyone who has had surgery or radiation involving lymph nodes), those who have developed lymphedema as a consequence of breast cancer treatment, and also women with primary lymphedema. To join, send an e-mail to ladieswithlymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com