Customer Reviews

Bright Side of the Road: A Spiritual Journey Through Breast Cancer

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cancer is like living with a gun pointed at your head; it's hard to believe you can get through this. "Bright Side of the Road: A Spiritual Journey Through Cancer" is a memoir form Anne Marie Bennett, who upon her diagnosis found that her entire life changed and warped, and she had little believe that her life could ever right itself as it was. A thoughtful and spiritual memoir that Bennett wants to help other women battle their own breast cancer, and makes "Bright Side of the Road" an intriguing and uplifting pick.

This book is full of honest, raw emotion. Fortunately, I have never had to deal with cancer or any other chronic disease; however, this book gives the reader a glimpse of her personal hell that made her so strong.

Anne Marie Bennett suffered physically, emotionally, sexually, and spiritually. She overcame her obstacles only to gain strength.

This book is for anybody with any long-term ailment. It is for any friend or family member of a chronically-ill person. Read Anne Marie Bennett's story; be inspired.

Anne Marie's journey through breast cancer is captured with a candid generosity of spirit that is moving and inspiring. She shares her mental, emotional, and physical vulnerabilities when she honestly reports the times of fear, overwhelm and fatigue of navigating breast cancer treatment. But she also discovers and integrates genuine gratitude as she embraces life in a way that lands her on the bright side of the road.

While every woman's journey is unique, Anne Marie speaks to essential themes that most women encounter with breast cancer. Her book is a pocket-sized support group, an educational and inspirational resource, but most of all, an invitation and reliable map to discovering your own bright side of the road.

Breast cancer touches us all. Most of us will never experience it directly, but nearly everyone knows someone who is going or has gone through it. Anne Marie Bennett's book, "Bright Side of the Road: A Spiritual Journey Through Breast Cancer" demystifies both disease and treatment and serves as a road map for support teams.

Nevertheless, I didn't read this book because of the cancer content. The words "Spiritual Journey" were the ones that caught my eye and prompted me to order a copy of this book. I'm a sucker for spiritual journey accounts. Even so, in spite of the mystically beautiful image on the cover and the intriguing title, I opened it with a bit of trepidation. Who knew what horrors I'd be wading through?

I needn't have worried. Even in the darkest moments, when she was discouraged and depleted from seemingly endless treatments, faith, hope and light glimmered through her account. This is not a story of tears and despair. Yes, she cried. Yes, I often shed tears too, but they were tears of empathy and compassion, not grief.

Bennett's use of a time-stamped journal entry style guides us through her journey in an orderly flow, guiding us through her inner journey. Frequent references to sitting with her journal during treatment amplify the ring of truth in her account. Such a book would probably not be possible without a robust journal to anchor the memories and keep them available for future use, yet these are no ordinary journal entries. Layers of reflection and insight can only result from extended contemplation.

Bennett felt transformed by her experience. She became more self-aware and self-confident. Her journey through cancer provided the time and distance she needed to re-evaluate her life and make subtle career changes that allowed time for writing and art work. The results should provide strong encouragement for anyone who has been or will be diagnosed with any form of cancer, and her insights on the types of support that helped her the most are valuable guidance for those of us on the sidelines.

When I was informed about this book from an on-line friend, I immediately checked it out. After reading the first chapter that Anne Marie made available on line, I quickly decided that I would not only book a time for a blog date, but that I wanted to continue reading her book as soon as possible. I did not want to take advantage of her offer of a free book, as I believe she worked hard and long and deserved compensation for her efforts, and I laud her accomplishments. I find her book an open, honest, and frank expression of a journey well-traveled. I could not stop reading until I finished. As a breast cancer survivor, so many things came to my mind as I read her book. I was thinking of who I could share this book with that would benefit and understand more clearly what it is like for a woman that is told that she has breast cancer, or any cancer for that matter. Blessings to you Anne Marie for your so important contribution to those who have "been there and done that", and to those who wonder what it is like.

I have been blessed with Anne Marie's friendship for many years now. In fact, she was my very first Internet friend - I met her online way back in the late 1990's - correct me with the actual date if you remember Anne Marie - back on a site for women without children. I was in my 20's married to a man with children of his own and Anne Marie was married to Jeff who also had children from a previous marriage. We became fast friends and even though I was scared out of my mind because of the unknown, I even traveled to Beverly to see her in person and stay at her house (this was long before blogging and Internet friends were common). I found Anne Marie to be as kind and warm and loving in person as on the computer - and I keep a picture of the two of us from that trip on my mantle even today. Then in 1999, when my husband died, she was one of the first friends that I called on the phone to tell - she had all the right words to say to me. I'll even tell you this - there are only two pictures on my refrigerator that are not of my kids - a picture of my best friend Jane with her husband Andy and a picture of Anne Marie and Jeff.

So back when she told me she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, I'd like to say I had all the right words to say to her. Sadly, I did not. I had never known anyone with cancer outside of elderly relatives. I had no idea what I was supposed to feel or say. I had no idea what she was feeling either and I didn't want to pry or intrude. So when I first read this book (in e-form back in 2006 I believe) I was happy to have an insight into what Anne Marie was going through. Her honesty and forthrightness about everything from her fears, to the physical side effects of chemo, to her sexuality, lifted the veil for me to how horrendous cancer really is.

But Anne Marie's story is not sad or downbeat - indeed, it is uplifting and joyful and inspiring. I spent this weekend in bed sick, and re-read her book. I remembered how much I loved her words, her affirmations, and her spirit and felt them revive me once again. I also recalled how I purchased another e-book copy of it to give to my best friend Jane who was also battling cancer. Sadly, Jane lost her fight in February 2007 but I do hope this book gave her sustenance during her journey.

I recommend this book for anyone undergoing a difficult journey in their life - be it cancer, any other physical ailment, or any life struggle. Anne Marie is the perfect companion to accompany you across the dark valleys of life, literally to the Bright Side of the Road. I've been blessed beyond measure to have her in my life for these many years and I'm pleased to share her now with the rest of you.

excerpts from the Square-Peg-People book review of "Bright Side of The Road":

This book is written from the heart...It is about a woman dealing with breast cancer. And, because books written from the heart are usually large in scope, it is also about many other topics.

It offers insights into the doctor-patient relationship, ways to live wholly (expressing ALL your feelings - as opposed to living in denial of the uncomfortable ones), the process of living reflectively (the book is written using journals Anne Marie kept), what's helpful (and what isn't) when people are facing a serious illness, dealing with other people as they come to terms with your illness, hospital euphemisms and hospital blessings, gratitude and much more, including - of course - walking on the Bright Side of the Road!....

There are many reasons you'd want to read this book. Obviously, if you or someone you love has breast cancer, or has gone through breast cancer and treatment, the book will be a companion.

But there is also much in this book for anyone who has dealt with a major illness or grief, for medical professionals wishing to learn how it feels to be on "the other side of the fence", and for anyone who wants to learn how to BE there for a friend or loved one who is dealing with a life-threatening illness.

The things I love most about the book are the honesty and openness that Anne Marie exhibits as she shares her story. This book is REAL - which is my highest praise.

This is not just a book for women, it's a book aimed at anyone who has gone through hardship, heartache, or any medical condition that disrupts your norm. Anne Marie writes with such clarity, heart, and humor that it's easy to go along for the ride. I've had many friends who have dealt with breast cancer and Anne Marie's description of her journey is so detailed in every way that it truly helps me understand the fear, pain, uncertaintly and finally the triumph of this journey.

This is a rich, sweet, courageous and empowering book for ALL women. I connected to so many of Anne Marie's internal experiences, through my own dealings with illness over the years. Nothing I have faced has been life threatening like cancer, but living with chronic pain and multiple immune system diseases has certainly been life altering. Anne Marie eloquently expresses the vulnerability, hope, fear, depression, frustration, joy and gratitude that flows from all of those other emotions and toward the people, animals and Divine Presence who support us, each in their own ways even as we move through painful parts of our life journeys.

In reading this book,I could feel the pain and sorrow that Anne Marie went through during her breast cancer trial.
Yet she writes with hope and healing.
She writes with honesty and emotions beyond anyone's comprehension

It is a wonderful story of one woman's struggle and defeat of breast cancer.
It is not just meant for those who have or have not gone through breast cancer(or any cancer )but is wonderfully written and emotional satisfying to anyone who has gone through terrible trials in life and have,through trust,hope,and helping people, come out on the winning side of life.
This book is a honest and well written story and should be read by all who are on life's journey of hope and healing.
She will capture your heart