Cancer. How will I get through this? Stories of Hope from Survivors and Caregivers [Paperback]

Kevin Molloy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

While most cancer patients and caregivers recognize the destructive physical nature of cancer, few realize the psychological and emotional challenges that this disease may present. Cancer — How Will I Get Through This? Stories of Hope From Survivors and Caregivers is a collection of short vignettes and accounts from a number of cancer survivors and caregivers who have dealt with a wide variety of cancers. Through the telling of their stories, they reveal the psychological and emotional challenges they faced and overcame, challenges that are common to others dealing with the disease (for example, dealing with the fear of a recurrence and experiencing anxiety about starting chemotherapy). The book makes no attempt to advise readers to deal with their challenges in the same way as the survivors in the book. Instead, it allows readers to draw their own conclusions and apply them to their personal situations, ultimately enabling them to gain insight into their own struggles and to emerge with hope and confidence as they realize that they, too, can triumph over similar challenges. Two of the most important features of the book are its uplifting tone and the ease with which readers will be able to relate to the stories. First, the tone is such that, whenever a problem is presented, it is followed by the survivors' and caregivers' solutions to these problems. This concentration on what people can do, instead of what they can't, allows the book to deal with hard-hitting topics while bringing a message of hope to the readers. Second, readers can easily relate to the stories of these survivors and caregivers because they are told by ordinary people who have dealt with a wide range of cancers (everything from malignant brain tumors to breast cancer; from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to leukemia), and who come from different backgrounds (from an impoverished mother living in rural Kansas to a successful businessman in New York City) and age groups (ranging from thirteen to sixty-five years old). In addition, the layout of the book makes it especially easy to read. Each chapter in the book contains short vignettes on a central theme. For example, there are chapters that deal with the diagnosis, first steps (the time before starting treatment), treatment, finding support, specific caregiver issues, and an inspirational "in retrospect" section where the survivors and caregivers look back on their experiences and offer a final message of support. This format effectively holds the interest of readers and easily accommodates any need to access information on a particular topic. Cancer — How Will I Get Through This? is certain to be both a benefit and an inspiration to cancer patients and their loved ones.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kevin Molloy has always had a passion for writing and journalism. After undertaking various successful writing projects, his honors thesis won a national honors society award, amongst hundreds of entries from top universities across the nation. Inspired to take on another project utilizing his talents in journalism, research and writing, Molloy turned his attention to interviewing cancer survivors and writing about their experiences in overcoming a variety of challenges during their battles with the disease. He is currently pursuing an advanced degree from Duke University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Lucky Press, LLC; 1 edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976057689
• ISBN-13: 978-0976057680
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #907,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching - a must-read!!!, February 24, 2006

By 

Joanna Baker "Joanna Baker" (Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cancer. How will I get through this? Stories of Hope from Survivors and Caregivers (Paperback)

This book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced cancer or who has a loved one who has braved this disease. It chronicles many different people's experience with the disease and describes how each of them triumphed over their battle with cancer. It gave me hope during a trying time in my life, and I was able to take comfort in the knowledge that I was not alone. Kevin Molloy is a brilliant author - intuitive and articulate - and I give his debut novel my highest recommendation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading for anyone having to deal with cancer in themselves, in their families, or in their friends, February 11, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cancer. How will I get through this? Stories of Hope from Survivors and Caregivers (Paperback)

Journalist and author Kevin Molloy draws upon his experience interviewing cancer survivors and writing about their experiences overcoming a variety of challenges during their individual battles with the disease in Cancer: How Will I Get Through This?. Molloy arranges these anecdotal stories around the themes of "One Day at a Time; Getting through the Diagnosis"; "First Steps in the Right Direction"; "Triumphing through Treatment"; Facing Other Challenges"; Caregiver Issues"; "All About Support"; and "In Retrospect: Silver Linings and Words of Encouragement". The result is an insightful, candid, and encouraging body of information and example that is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone having to deal with cancer in themselves, in their families, or in their friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading for anyone having to deal with cancer in themselves, in their families, or in their friends, February 11, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cancer. How will I get through this? Stories of Hope from Survivors and Caregivers (Paperback)

Journalist and author Kevin Molloy draws upon his experience interviewing cancer survivors and writing about their experiences overcoming a variety of challenges during their individual battles with the disease in Cancer: How Will I Get Through This?. Molloy arranges these anecdotal stories around the themes of "One Day at a Time; Getting through the Diagnosis"; "First Steps in the Right Direction"; "Triumphing through Treatment"; Facing Other Challenges"; Caregiver Issues"; "All About Support"; and "In Retrospect: Silver Linings and Words of Encouragement". The result is an insightful, candid, and encouraging body of information and example that is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone having to deal with cancer in themselves, in their families, or in their friends.