Customer Reviews

Don't Bet against Me!: Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer and in Life

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Living as a football player's wife in the fishbowl of Green Bay Wisconsin can't be easy for someone like Deanna Favre. Self-described as very shy and uncomfortable in the spotlight, she has generally tried to live her life and do her humanitarian works under the radar. But all that changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. Favre decided to try and battle through the shyness to reach out and tell her story to raise awareness.

First off, I was surprised at how candid the book was about several aspects of her life. Living in a "town" like Green Bay (population 103,000) is not easy when all eyes are on #4. Rumors and stories of Favre's "wild" ways when he first came to town are essentially confirmed by Deanna with no apologies. I thought I had heard all the stories about Favre's behavior off the field but there were several that caught me by surprise. For instance, I did not know that Favre had slipped back into his self-destructive behavior in 1999 when Deanna was pregnant with their younger daughter Breleigh. Deanna talks openly of her struggle with loving a man who was on a self-destructive path and not knowing whether to stay with him or leave.

Deanna Favre talks of her struggles to have another child and the struggles with whether to take the "science" route with invitro fertilization. She talks of the struggles she had when she was a single mom and bounced checks not because of bad bookkeeping but because she literally did not have enough money to pay the bills. She talks of her prayers and reliance on the Bible and the help of her Christian friends and faith through this and many other trying times.

But most importantly, Favre talks about breast cancer in a way that any woman can relate. Just 35 years old when diagnosed, she is like thousands of women who have no family history and are not in the breast cancer "demographic". Feeling blessed to have good insurance and not having to worry about money, Deanna wants to raise money for the uninsured and underinsured women who are battling the disease.

I've read all sorts of memoirs of people who were thrust into the public eye and this one really made an impact on me. Years ago I read a rare interview with Deanna Favre in the newspaper and came to the conclusion that Brett Favre would have either become a flash-in-the-pan drunk former NFL quarterback or a dead one if he didn't have Deanna in his life; this book just confirms that for me. Behind every successful man is an even greater woman.

I just bought this book from the Packers Pro Shop on Friday. It is a GREAT read. Deanna is a lady of class and integrity and this book only drives that point home. In this book she shows how a lady of quiet strength and personal conviction can overcome even the most devastating circumstances like breast cancer, multiple deaths in the family as well as weathering the ups and downs of being married to a three-time MVP quarterback. Whether you are a football fan or not - a Packer fan or not - you WILL enjoy this book.

Deanna Favre chose to go public with her illness to help other women and I believe she will succeed beyond her wildest dreams. This book is an important read for everyone. We all need to know what people who are fighting this terrible disease go through on a daily basis and what we can do to help. Deanna Favre is an inspiration and the first thing I'm going to do is send a copy of this book to a friend of mine who is fighting the disease. The second thing I'm going to do is put my copy on my "keeper shelf". I know I'll be reading it again. It's that good!!

One of the best autobiographical books I've read in a long time. An open and honest account of her life and experiences. It warmed my heart. Deanna Favre describes her thoughts and feelings on everything -- her small town world, her tribulations with Brett -- even questioning her relationship with him and his addiction problems, her experiences being in the public eye and the greatest challenge of her life -- surviving breast cancer. This book is sprinkled with her strong faith in God -- something I wasn't sure I would want to read but it honestly has helped me in that regard. I admire her strength and courage. Deanna Favre has dignity, integrity and class. She is the embodiment of what it is to be a "lady".

Deanna Favre seems to be a very sensitive woman who cares deeply about the lives of women, particularly those who are sick and/or have low incomes. This book is a compelling read whether you have a specific connection to someone with breast cancer or not. Deanna's generous spirit shows as she shares her spirituality and her joys and sorrows. I just ordered four copies of her book to give to people on my Christmas list -- both men and women!

Deanna Favre not only has to deal with the deaths of her father-in-law and brother; she must also deal with breast cancer. Deanna is transparent with her thoughts, feelings, and spirituality. She reveals what life married to a famous quarterback is like. She is "every woman", except we aren't married to Brett Favre. At some point in our lives, all of us will grieve the loss of family members; have trouble in our marriage; and if we don't have cancer, we will deal with some other debilitating illness. She frankly shares her troubles with Brett's addiction to painkillers. She struggled with her decision to stay with him, or leave. Some women (or men) would pack everything and not look back. She chose to stay beside him, to encourage him and to see him through treatment. And years later, it was Brett's turn to stay by her side and encourage her and to see her through treatment.

As she was shocked by the cancer, she reveals that she leaned on God, her husband, family and friends throughout the surgery and treatments. She is frank in her discussion of the treatments and side-effects. I appreciated all the information given. There is even a laugh-out-loud funny story about Deanna and her sister Christie shopping in Wal-Mart! She doesn't preach her message about God. She simply tells us what she believes. I am a Christian as well and it is wonderful to read a book laced with scripture and encouragement. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the HOPE Foundation. This foundation serves women in Wisconsin and Mississippi who don't have medical insurance; or don't have enough coverage.

And I can't imagine being in the public eye all the time. But she seems to handle it all with grace and class. And even though being in the public eye is trying at times, she is grateful for Packer fans and all the prayers offered up for her. Instead of shrinking into her shell and staying home all the time, shunning any type of publicity, she chose to face the cancer publicly and share her trials with all of us. Thank you Deanna for revealing to us the godly woman that He created.

I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I bought three more copies for my Brother, Sister, and Mother. My Mom was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer and this book helped me to understand what she is going through.

Besides the educational aspect of the book (which is worth the cover price), the book continues on about life for the Favre's; from growing up together in Mississippi, through college, and into the NFL. Perhaps the one thing (outside from cancer education) that I enjoyed the most in this book, is just how much the Favres do to help others. You hear so much negative around NFL players, the stories that Deanna shares are truly refreshing!

A must read 4 for anyone and everyone; especially if you are a fan of the Favre family!

Deanna has great integrity, honesty and she knows how important prayer
is in ones life. I am a believer in prayer and I know God answers.
Thank You Deanna for sharing important times of your life.
Everyone needs to read this book. Everyone needs to give back.
May God continue to Bless Deanna Favre and her family.

So many women are affected by the things Deanna Farve has shared with us in her book. Breast Cancer, infertility, family deaths and even famous spouses. I am personally glad that she has used her celebrity status to share the way she dealth with each and every challenge. While I do not profess to have the deep spiritual faith she mentions through out the book; I recognize the courage it takes to show your under belly to the entire world. Thumbs up to her and I can not think of a more down to earth person working in concert with other breast cancer survivors to give a name to this disease.

Don't bet against me, by Deanna Favre is a very inspirational book. Deanna talks from her heart and she will surely touch yours. We are not alone in our struggles, as she is open and candid about her struggles.

This is a quick and easy read. This would make a great gift for anyone who has or had breast cancer and even for those who don't. We can always be inspired!