Fighting My Way Through Breast Cancer With Poetry [Paperback]

Diana Ballinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2009

When Diana Ballinger was diagnosed with breast cancer, she had no idea what lay ahead. The surgery, crippling side-effects of chemo and radiation, and the emotions that threatened to boil over pushed her to write for her life. This mother and wife feared she couldn't fight cancer and fulfill her family and work responsibilities. She dealt with the disfigurement, loss of employment and the travails of insurance by writing poetry. Ballinger knew she was more than her breast cancer. She wanted her daughter to have a normal life while she underwent treatment and she was determined to make that happen. What she didn't expect, is how much her daughter would help her. "Fighting My Way Through Breast Cancer With Poetry" takes the reader step by step through her journey. It is her first book. Ballinger lives in California with her husband, Dick and her 16 yr. old daughter, Ashley, and celebrated her 1 yr. anniversary as a survivor in Feb. 2009.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

When it comes to understanding the many emotions of breast cancer, Diana Ballinger has experienced them all, sadness, anger, fear and depression. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1992, watched her mother die from the side effects of her own breast cancer treatments in 2001 and then was diagnosed with breast cancer herself in February 2008. She started using her poetry to express her soul's emotions at 12 and later studied creative writing at Pasadena Community College. She wrote a poem ever year for her youngest daughter, Ashley on her birthday. When breast cancer struck, Ballinger reached for her pen once again. Putting her feelings on paper was like expressing her emotions out loud. It was no longer an ugly, scary secret. She began posting her poems on the different breast cancer forums and was overwhelmed by the responses from readers who wanted to know how she knew exactly how they felt. Through her poetry, the reader finds support and understanding when faced with their own terrifying diagnosis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 34 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439236070
• ISBN-13: 978-1439236079
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,426,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I loved it", May 29, 2009

By 

Suzan Jan "Nana" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting My Way Through Breast Cancer With Poetry (Paperback)

This book should be in every oncologist's waiting room, in every patient's room who is bedridden, in every chemo room. It should be read by every husband, family member, friend, coworker and woman. It will make you laugh, make you cry, but most of all - and this was Diana's intent - make you think and make you understand what it is like to live with this disease. I know Diana and I am grateful for her humor, her honesty and her friendship.
Suzan Riddell NOS Sister, cancer survivor and friend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fighting My Way Through Breast Cancer with Poetry, September 2, 2009

By 

Leisa M. Rice "Leisa -"nurse"" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting My Way Through Breast Cancer With Poetry (Paperback)

A powerfully warm and down to earth writing! As a nurse who works with cancer patients - it is invaluable. You will laugh, cry and feel supported during this difficult journey. Anyone - not only breast cancer patients, would benefit from this book. You will refer to it over and over again -- my patients have! After reading, you will feel that you have made an instant "friend" with the writer!

5.0 out of 5 stars touching and hopeful, June 29, 2009

By 

Rowan (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting My Way Through Breast Cancer With Poetry (Paperback)

Humor and hope shine through while the reality of breast cancer is described as only a survivor knows it. This book makes me cry and laugh and stays by my bedside always.