Customer Reviews

B.O.O.B.S.: A Bunch of Outrageous Breast-Cancer Survivors Tell Their Stories of Courage, Hope, & Healing

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A must read for anyone who has to travel this road. We all need to know we are not the only one who has had these feelings or experiences. I found it comforting and informative at a critical time in my life.

I, thankfully, have never had breast cancer. While I am sure this book is particularly wonderful and inspirational for women who have had breast cancer or are going through breast cancer treatment, I just wanted to say it's a wonderful read, period, for anyone -- breast cancer survivor or not. Besides, everyone knows SOMEONE who has been faced with breast cancer.. It is that much of an epidemic in this country. The style of the book is breezy,chatty, funny in places, poignant elsewhere, informative, smart and -- yes -- entertaining, even though these are tales of women faced with breast cancer. The book is very well done and I highly recommend it. --- Sher

As a daughter of a breast cancer survivor and having three aunts who have had breast cancer I highly recommened this book. We have passed the book between us it has helped us understand what these brave women were going thru!

I found this book very helpful. I am currently going through treatment for breast cancer. I found the stories to be informative and encouraging. They don't sugar coat their experiences. They are honest about the ups and the downs. It was helpful to me to hear the war stories of a group of survivors.

However, if you are looking for survivor stories because you are currently going through treatment or know someone who is there are few things to consider before reading this book.

This is not a book about young women diagnosed with breast cancer. The youngest age at diagnoses is 45. The majority of these women have a particular type of breast cancer: ductal carcinoma. Many, perhaps all of them, are involved with one particular support group: The Wellness Community. If you are looking for stories/experiences that fit certain parameters, this might not be the book for you.

However, the stories are poignant. Regardless of the type of cancer, some of the challenges, fears and frustrations are the same. If you are looking for stories of courage, told with honesty and humor then this is a good read for you.

With four reviewers rating this as a 5 star book, I expected more diversity than this book contains. All 10 women were drawn from the same wellness group associated with an Alabama treatment center, though not all were lifelong residents of the area. Most were evangelical Christians. All appeared to be from middle class backgrounds. If you fit into this group, you will probably relate well to the stories. If not, you may want to look for a more diverse compilation. My suggestion would be Uplift : Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors which draws from 300 participants and which provides shorter, solution-focused entries.

Reviewed by Abbie G. Yandle for Reader Views (10/06)

Ten brave women share stories of their ordeal with breast cancer. Each story in "B.O.O.B.S." is different. The women are black, white, and Hispanic. The life-changing diagnosis came at ages from 45 to the early 60's. They remind me of the women in the support group I attended for over two years every week, no matter what else was going on in my life. As predicted, these stories "enlighten, encourage, and empower" the reader.

Every woman's experience with breast cancer is unique. There are different diagnoses, surgeries, treatments, histories, and prognoses. Some women have a supportive spouse. Family ties can grow stronger, or break under the strain of fear and pain. Acquaintances become loyal friends even as those believed to be close friends distance themselves because they don't know what to say, what to do. Laughter and humor are at least as powerful as the medicines and surgeries on the road to recovery and regained health.

Sheryl's story struck close to home for me. I rejoiced at the way she wrote candidly about her feelings about her body and struggles with her sexuality throughout her ordeal. I applaud her bravery for sharing the power of an intimate relationship to heal a wounded body and spirit.

This is a book that every woman and every man who loves his wife, mother, girlfriend, or daughter should read. "B.O.O.B.S." gives a good overview of types of breast cancer and their treatment options. More than that, it may help anyone understand that each person dealing with this disease must make the choice that is right for her (him). Attending and participating in a professionally-facilitated peer support group helps immensely with understanding the language of the disease and its treatments, as well as the emotional roller-coaster. "B.O.O.B.S." reminds us that we are not alone.

Received book free of charge.

As a breast cancer survivor diagnosed at the age of 32, I expected this book to be stories bases on women who were diagnosed at an earlier age based on the cover photo. Most of these women are in their 50's and if I had of read this book while I was actually going through treatment I would have been scared to death. Some of these women just had some bizarre things to happen to them during treatment that I would think are not typical. It made me realize how fortunate I was that everything went well for me during treatment. Also, the majority of the women were diagnosed with Ductal carcinoma, not a one of them had lobular carcinoma. So I agree with another reviewer there wasn't much diversity.

There are many people who cure (themselves) from cancer (and other diseases, for that matter). A few things they all seem to have in common:
They take responsibility for their health/sickness away from doctors or anyone else.
They get rid of negative feelings (like anger, grudge, helplessness and, most of all, by doing this, FEAR). In other words, they CHANGE their lifestyle (most of the time they also take control of what they eat - which is where this book comes in handy).
But most important (togheter with finding peace of mind):
They give their body TIME TO HEAL ITSELF!
[...]
Hope this will be of help for a few people.