Customer Reviews

Coping with Chemotherapy: Compassionate Advice and Authoritative Information from a Chemotherapy Survivor

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Bruning covers aspects of curing Cancer that no one is prepared for, in a factual, non-pitying way. This book is a departure from many "I Survived the Big C" books that gloss over how to contend with symptoms and side effects that do have remedies.

As she covers each topic, you may find her own personal experience tucked among the information. But her recovery is not the subject here. It was the variety of information, some outside the traditional approaches with their risks, besides what foods may be helpful.

When I joined CANSURVIVORS, a help group through American Cancer Society, I knew that a factual help book like this was immensely important to ease people through their illness. I refer to it all the time, but often have given my copy away again!

After my treatment, with many bumps along the way despite the best of care, I was determined that a different book was needed. I would write it. I organized the topics, and was searching for professionals to interview. I was startled to find that Bruning followed my outline in "Coping with Chemotherapy" two years earlier. She had written my book very well! I thank her again.

My mother is currently going thru chemotherapy and this book is incredibly helpful. Nancy Bruning, the author, is herself a breast cancer survivor and went thru chemotherapy.

"Coping With Chemotherapy" covers every physical symptom I have had to look up as well as the emotional aspects of cancer and chemo. In the beginning of the book Bruning also provides information on the "basics" of how cancer and chemo work...WITHOUT using too much jargon. And because Bruning has been thru this HERSELF, you know she's not blowing smoke up your butt. Bottom line? If you or a loved one are currently getting chemo or trying to find out about some options, this book is a refreshingly honest and caring help.

I have purchased several copies of this book to give to friends who were facing or coping with chemo. All of them thanked me and said that it helped them so much. I am buying another one today, sadly, for yet another friend. It tells you things that your doctor may not and let you know how to help yourself.

I wish I had read this book before beginning treatment. Early in the breast cancer journey (I was diagnosed in 2007 and had chemotherapy following a mastectomy) one fellow patient said "you will make decisions by your gut." Although this can work well, I learned, we can do better. Pamphlets traditionally handed out on "what to expect" during chemotherapy are inadequate. My side-effects were managed during the course of treatment by a nurse oncologist, thank goodness for this support which was tailored to my needs, but much learning occurs after the fact. Many patients do not get second opinions, others go nuts with it, etc.,etc. Health literacy has become increasingly important as patients more often than not go to the internet for advice - but that is not enough as this book points out. One needs to know how to talk with one's doctor and where to go to get additional advice. I was making choices quickly, as many patients do, and my gut served me well in making them, but I was flying solo. Bruning provides a detailed account of what to expect and how to enhance self-care. The journey with cancer is ongoing, and I think this book lays the groundwork for making choices along the way which will also help enhance quality of life after chemotherapy.