Customer Reviews

Cancer Happens: Coming of Age with Cancer (Capital Discoveries Book) (Capital Discovery)

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This book was so revealing and raw...I knew battling cancer was a huge and difficult process, but I had no idea the range and depth of emotions/issues that a person has to deal with, and especially at such a weird age. The book was hilarious, entertaining, heart-breaking, and hopeful all at the same time. A great read for anyone, but especially for those who are battling cancer or love someone who is.

Finally someone who conquers cancer with a sharp tongue, a quick wit and without a bunch sap. Cancer Happens is the first book I've read about cancer where I was laughing one minute, then biting my nails and then sobbing like no 31 year old man should ever admit. Ms. Gifford pulls no punches. She lets you inside to see all of her pain, sorrow, bitchiness, fear, and frustration -- and it's funny. She makes you feel like you're sitting right next to her at the bar after support group meetings downing margaritas -- and you don't want her to stop talking. A great read about living life to the max no matter what gets in your way.

Rebecca Gifford was only 22 years old when she was diagnosed with life-threatening cancer: this is her story of diagnosis, treatment and recovery: a story of coming of age with cancer which involved her entire family. There are relatively few accounts of young people struggling with cancer: Cancer Happens documents Gifford's challenges and her ability to be a patient advocate and choose her treatment options throughout.

Okay and honest memoir as far as cancer books go. I'm happy to see some lymphoma books out there and only wished Gifford would've told more about how she handled her loss of fertility.

SYNOPSIS:
Rebecca Gifford was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of twenty-two. Just out of college, she is a young adult just beginning her life in the adult world in Ohio, thousands of miles from her close friends. This her account of all the emotional and physical burdens of her struggle to survive and beat cancer.

ANALYSIS:
Although the book focuses mainly on the emotional and psychological aspects of cancer, it did a good job of incorporating relevant biological details that helped to better understand the processes Rebecca underwent. One of Rebecca's doctors described her as "the model of the modern patient. She has empowered herself by learning about her disease and its biology along with the disease treatments and their ramifications. (xi)"
Rebecca does a good job of addressing the biological aspects of her cancer, recalling the chemotherapy that "poisoned" her body, recalling the number of iv bags and their different colors. She also included mental visualizations of the cellular processes occurring in her body. She explains many medical tests and equipment she underwent and used as well, such as the needle-biopsies, surgical biopsies, port-o-catheters (a sub-epithelial object that provides easy access to the portal artery for chemo treatments), and urinary catheters.

SYNTHESIS:
This book takes an extremely realistic outlook that is not afraid to cross taboo topic boundaries. It addresses every aspect of cancer, even those most are afraid to address (the painful process of hair loss). She put her relationships with those around her out there for the readers to see, even those that were awkward, or that had not-so-happy-endings. Her brutal honesty allows the reader to connect fully with Rebecca and empathize with her on a personal level. She is not afraid to tell us her fears, worries, or weaknesses. She does not hide her sometimes need of reassurance from others who have been through similar problems (therapy group members). She addresses everything from mortality and religion to living life to the fullest. Her thoughts helped me to understand how to interact with a cancer victims- don't give them sympathy; that is the last thing they are looking for. Give them support, a shoulder to lean on, and someone who listens. Her thoughts also put life into perspective and helped, me at least, to see the big picture: it's not about what you accomplish in life, but about being happy. If you die tomorrow, at least you die having enjoyed life.

This book helped me realize I was not the only one. I was diagnosed at 23 with Primary Mediastinal Large B cell Lymphoma and went through chemo, radiation, more chemo, and stem cell transplant much like Rebecca. It gave me much comfort that she went thru this years ago and is still here. There is not enough stories for young people with cancer, this is truly a wonderful book, I found myself connecting with everything she had to say almost like it was my experience only 10 years earlier. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.