Customer Reviews

Advanced Breast Cancer: A Guide to Living with Metastatic Disease, 2nd Edition (Patient-Centered Guides)

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This book by Musa Mayer is one of the most profound resources I have ever read in my life. I first bought 10 copies of the original edition "Holding Tight, Letting Go" , with Barb Pender, on the front of it. I never go anywhere without one or more of my remaining 3 copies of "Holding Tight, Letting Go" (now available as Advanced Breast Cancer: A Guide to Living with Metastatic Disease). It is not just a resource for women with breast cancer - it is a resource for anyone who wants to streamline their life priorities. It has helped me immensely with how to help care for my 97 year old grandmother (who has heart disease, pancreatic cancer and several strokes). There are profound similarities between persons who are elderly and the plight of women and men trying to deal with breast cancer.

As an allied healthcare worker (nuclear medicine technologist) this book has even changed how I deal with ALL of my patients in nuclear medicine, as Musa's friends speak from the pages as wise, kind, sages with messages for the world. I have worked in healthcare for 20 years and thought I had a very firm grasp of patient care and a feel for what was important. Musa's book redefined all that I knew. I think the word for this type of experience is epiphany. Now, when I hear docs at my hospital and at my nuclear medicine meetings try to give guesses about what their patients are most interested in - well you guessed it - I whip out my copy of Musa's book (I explain to them about the name change) and I let Musa and some of my friends speak for themselves as to what is real.. Docs are nothing short of awe struck that Musa could illicit literally hundreds of responses to her internet queries, when they, as life-savers, only get a scant few responses to surveys they pass out to their patients and their families.

As painful as this labor of love must have been for Musa, my guess is that divine intervention decided that someone should bear witness for an extraordinary group of warriors and their beloved troops. It is more than mere coincidence to me that Musa's name is so similar to the famed samurai warrior, Musashi, who tailored his tactics to the mission at hand, who knew the value of preparedness and the importance of character, and whose leadership strategies triumphed in life-or-death situatoins whereby if a battle was lost, the spirit of the warrior never was. This is the spirit of Musa Mayer's book.

I would dare say that there is no one alive who could read this book without being uplifted, informed and intrigued with knowledge and debth as to how to live when life deals you a difficult and unexpected hand. No matter what the medical problem, this text has information that translates so smoothly that it is a wonder that it has not been rewritten to apply to anyone of any diagnosis (and to those who love and care for them).

Toya T. Powell

As a person with metastatic breast cancer, I bought this book because it seemed to focus on LIVING with metastatic disease when everything else I've read lumps metastatic disease in with death and dying. Unfortunately, this book was more of the same. If misery loves company, then this is the book for you. I, personally, don't want to read about women just like me with diagnoses similar to mine and then read about their death later on in the book. How is that "uplifting"? When and if the time comes when my disease can no longer be treated, then maybe I would consider a book like this useful. But when is someone going to write a truly uplifting and informative book about LIVING with metastatic disease? Also, the medical information was very sparse and nothing new; in fact some of the information seemed somewhat dated.

With a close relative fighting breast cancer, I've bought and read a number of books out there. This is by far the BEST I've come acroos and the ONLY one that honestly discusses the realities of breast disease. Most of the books I came across were either vague or didn't go into detail about the realities of advanced breast cancer, perhaps trying to remain upbeat. What I wanted was real information and this book filled the bill, whle also containing impeccable research and plenty of personal experiences and stories. Not a doom-and-gloom book by any means, it contains its fair share of survival stories but also presents the information that patients and families need to cope with breast cancer, find appopriate treatment, deal with side effects and get on with living as full a life as possible at every step. There is also a list of orgnanizational web sites, extensive bibliography,resources, areas to find financial assistance and more. If you want riveting tales of actual cancer patients AS WELL AS solid information, this is the book you want. I'd recommend this one before any other.

As the spouse of someone with metestatic breast cancer, I highly recommend this book. It is a very emotional read on a very difficult subject. For months, I searched the Internet, libraries and bookstores for information. Friends sent some of the more popular cancer books. But nowhere could I find a comprehensive source of information on advanced stages of breast cancer. I didn't need a book on initial stages of cancer, miracle cures or a motivational story of one individual's treatment. I wanted a book that realistically addressed advanced stage cancer. This was the book I was looking for, and the book that provided the most help. The medical information provided is presented in a logical and solid manner. The personal stories communicate the emotional and practical implications of the disease. The writing style is articulate, concise and interesting. Musa Mayer has done an amazing job with a horrible subject.

I recommend you read some of the excerpts posted on this site, prior to ordering. They provide a good indication of the subject matter and the manner it is presented. I found this book personally very helpful. It has proven to be a trusted reference, and a tremendous source of both medical and personal information.

I bought this book two years ago, right after my diagnosis of breast cancer and after I received my pathology report - which indicated I was apt to end up with recurrence or spread. This book was not at all what I expected. I was expecting a guide to treatment options - dry and factual. What I got instead - showed that others had dealt with this very difficult issue and so could I, if need be. I passed the book on to a friend already in this position. Now, two years later, I am facing metastatic disease myself and have bought my own copy of the book again. Knowing that others have gone before me makes it easier for me to handle myself. Thank you, Musa.

Breast cancer is so much more complicated than removing the breast(s). I have a feeling that many people don't figure this out until they have been diagnosed with it. Then, you have to take a crash course in Cancer 101. It is intimidating and scary to make decisions about something which you know nothing about.

Musa makes it easy to comprehend a lot of the technical information. She has a way of breaking down the many facets of this disease, and bringing order to a complex issue. It is easier to digest so much information and make informed decisions when someone has completed an outline of the puzzle for you.

As an early stage breast cancer survivor myself, I was apprehensive about reading this book. Why borrow trouble; ignorance is bliss. But, considering that my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer less than a year ago, reality seemed like the viable option for me.

Fear of breast cancer returning or spreading can be just as difficult as treatment for cancer. I felt calmer after reading about some of the people Musa profiled in her book. It's hard to explain this in a book review, but sometimes people have a way of saying things (or writing them) that makes them less overwhelming. The way that Musa has "explained" advanced breast cancer made it easier for me to relax and realize that there are just some things that you have to deal with...and you can.

Musa's book provided validation for my mother that she had made educated treatment decisions. It gave me a clearer picture of my mother's disease, and most importantly - a lot of hope. I probably won't have to deal with breast cancer again. If I do, I will be prepared (and armed) with valuable information.

I am currently reading this book and have found such hope from it. I was diagnosed last September with Stage IV breast cancer ..spread to my lung and liver. It was devastating, but after 4 rounds of chemo, I am doing well on Tamoxifin. This book is one of the few that I could relate to. It is relevant to my situation, offering hope, comfort, and clear information.

Probably the best, albeit painful, description of metastatic cancer I have read.

Musa's book addresses how metastatic cancer effects all of those people who must live with it,(not just the identified patient,) in a way that is respectful but quite accurate.

One does not have to have metastatic cancer to appreciate this book. I appreciate that this book addresses the proverbial tight rope one must walk once the words are uttered, "you have breast cancer."

Having been diagnosed with primary breast cancer, and having the honor of watching my mom live and die with the illness, I find myself seeking out those people, places, situations, and books that speak to my heart in the way Musa's book does.

Musa Mayer talks with women living with metastatic disease, then she skillfully weaves their words into book that is useful, poetic, honest, and comforting. A daunting task, but one well within Musa's writing skills.

This book not only deepens my understanding of what it is like to live with metastatic disease, I am also inspired by the vision of strength and passion of those who frequently see their mortality reflected in pathology reports and CT scans.

My friends with metastatic disease have told me that this book has helped them share their own experiences more comfortably with friends and has given them reassurance on a path that is sometimes lonely and often frightening.

I am currently reading this book and have found such hope from it. I was diagnosed last September with Stage IV breast cancer ..spread to my lung and liver. This book is one of the few that I could relate to. It is relevant to my situation, offering hope, comfort, and clear information.