At Face Value: My Struggle With a Disfiguring Cancer [Paperback]

Terry Healey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

I was a senior at the University of California at Berkeley. At the age of twenty, my life had been smooth sailing, seldom interrupted with adversity or difficulty. I was confident and not concerned much with my appearance. But out of nowhere, a lump had formed behind my right nostril. I had cancer. I fought it and survived. But after multiple surgeries and radiation treatment, I would discover that I hadn't even begun to deal with what would become my greatest struggle for years to come - the disfigurement that resulted from it.

At Face Value explores the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual challenges that a disfiguring cancer brings to one's life. It's a story about tragedy, obstacles, and ultimately, about triumph.

At Face Value is a personal story that tells about the life I celebrated, but took for granted; the life I abhorred and tried to change; and the life that I treasured because it finally had meaning.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In 1984, Healey would appear to have been an average, 20-year-old college student a fraternity president majoring in political science at a California University. His life suddenly changed when he was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma of the nose. Fibrosarcoma is an unusually aggressive cancer that in Healey's case required repeated surgeries and radiation to cure. But this was only the beginning of his ordeal. The lifesaving surgeries left his face disfigured. Healey recounts how, with the love and support of his family and friends and with his own admirable spiritual values and upbeat attitude, he endured several years of reconstructive surgery. He came to realize that how he viewed himself was ultimately more important than how the world viewed him. While not as powerfully compelling as Lucy Grealy's Autobiography of a Face (LJ 7/94), Healey's memoir will encourage those suffering from similar disfiguring conditions and is recommended for consumer health collections. James Swanton, Harlem Hosp., New York
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This moving account of the author's struggles and eventual triumph can provide a lesson for all of us." -- Oncology Nursing Forum, Jan/Feb 2002

An engrossing book. This autobiographical account of his illness will hold your interest from page one to the end. -- Daily Republic, August 13, 2002

Healey's memoir will encourage those suffering from similar disfiguring conditions and is recommended for consumer health collections. James Swanton -- Library Journal, June 15, 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corp (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073886658X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738866581
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,941,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading for Nurses and all Health Care Professionsals, November 8, 2002

By 

Wendell Alderson RN (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At Face Value: My Struggle with a Disfiguring Cancer (Hardcover)

As an RN for 26 years after hearing Terry speak at a conference I had to buy his book. I found his book an inspiring and heartwarming in his approach to his illness. As an RN it was a good wake up call in my patient approach. Terry had very wonderful nurses and some not so wonderful. It made me realize that as nurse we make such a difference in patients lives. I highly recommend this book for all health care professionals.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for the patient and their family!, March 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: At Face Value: My Struggle with a Disfiguring Cancer (Hardcover)

A friend referred me to Terry's book after we discussed a member of my family who had just undergone the first surgery for the same type of cancer. Terry's book was a godsend since we were having a real struggle getting information from the medical folks involved in the case and were told it was so rare that there were not others we could talk with about their experiences. This book provided us a long term view of the situation, giving hope and realistic expectations along the way. I highly recommend it to anyone undergoing cancer treatment in the facial area. It is inspirational and educational for family members as well as patients. In fact, we've bought multiple copies of the book for members of the family. And I must add after reading the other reviews for the book that anyone in the medical field involved in this type of cancer should read it and recommend it to their patients, particularly when specifically asked to understand the experiences of others. Thanks Terry for taking the time to share your experiences with us!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A doctor's review of "At Face Value", October 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: At Face Value: My Struggle With a Disfiguring Cancer (Paperback)

Having read "At Face Value" by Terry Healey has made me both a better physician and a better person!

This book was highly recommended by a friend because it was not only an interesting story of a young man's struggle with a disfiguring cancer, but a book that would help anyone learn how to deal with adversity and be thankful for some of the more simple things in life. As a doctor, I have had many patients with serious diseases and unfortunately, there is little time spent in medical school and residency on dealing with the psychological consequences to the patient. Many doctors have a tendancy to forget how the disease process affects the patient's psyche. "At Face Value" is an excellent example of how important a positive attitude is for fighting serious illnesses such as cancer. I will be recommending this book to all the medical students and residents that I teach because they will unlikely never forget Terry Healey and his powerful message.

Don't think this book is only for patients with cancer. "At Face Value" can teach anyone how to deal with adversity and respect life for what it is. Through his struggles, Terry Healey shows that medicines and surgeries are only part of the total equation in conquering cancer. A strong outlook on a difficult situation, support from family and good friends and the belief in a higher being can all interact to help someone overcome what seemingly is an insurmountable obstacle.

Terry Healey uses various stories of his college days and brutal honesty to make a difficult story palatable. He is your typical college student interested in girls and hanging out with friends. He seems almost unfazed with his initial cancer diagnosis, however his detailed accounts of multiple reconstructive surgeries and radiation treatments show he has not only come to accept the fact that he has a disfiguring cancer, but he would do anything to beat it. His accounts of various reactions by strangers are frightening, and show us that we often are too judgemental of others based soley on appearance. His style of laughter and honesty makes Terry Healey someone you can't help but root for.

I would highly recommend this book not only to any doctor or patient, but to everyone. The style of writing should keep anyone enthralled. More importantly however, everyone should be able to learn how to better deal with adversity and not take life's simpilest pleasures for granted. Terry Healey shows us what is really important in life.