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Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer: 60 Inspirational Readings

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Yvonne Ortega's journey through breast cancer, as chronicled in her wonderful devotional Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer is but one of the many difficult obstacles she has overcome as she has learned to follow God, one yes at a time.

Her book was written, not with the 20/20 hindsight that the passage of time allows but each devotional was penned right in the heat of battle. Yvonne takes the reader from the shock of the diagnosis, to the invasion of surgery, to the struggle to decide what treatment options to pursue, and finally, praise God, to recovery. Because she wrote each devotional right then, they convey the emotion, the desperation, and the sufficiency of God who walked with her every step of the way.

Over and over Yvonne, a single-again working woman, said yes to accepting her limitations, to overcoming pride and to asking for help and God supplied all her needs through friends and strangers alike. She said yes to letting her regularly cleaned house get cluttered. She said yes to wearing a surgical mask and gloves so that she could continue teaching during her treatment phase. She said yes to her emotions and allowed herself to cry, and this allowed friends, medical personnel, and fellow cancer warriors to embrace her and encourage her.

The things Yvonne learned through her journey through cancer have been proven true in her other journeys of suffering as well. After she recovered and was declared cancer free she lost both her mother and her only child unexpectedly within weeks of one another. The things that had helped during treatment -- Bible study, prayer, memory verses, a support group, praise and worship music, and a sense of humor -- continued to be the source of much comfort and healing.

On a trip to Alaska with her father after the loss of mother and son, Yvonne said another yes -- a big one. She said yes to enjoying life again. She also said yes to leaving her secure counselling job and to following the dream that God had placed in her heart many years earlier -- to be a writer and retreat speaker. God has taken Yvonne all over North America and beyond to speak and encourage and bring laughter and hope to people who experience loss. And boy does she have a resume! The school of hard knocks has prepared her well but God has redeemed it all and given her an infectious positive attitude coupled with the passion and drive to serve Him by serving others who need Him.

Having faced the diagnosis of breast cancer herself, Yvonne Ortega's Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer resonates with a realness that only a cancer survivor can communicate. Sometimes in the midst of our challenges we need to lean on the hope and experiences of others and this powerful book provides the emotional and spiritual support cancer survivors yearn for. Through a sixty day journey, Yvonne shares her struggles, depression, and pain but she also shares the hope and inspiration she gained in the midst of cancer. This wonderfully written book is a perfect gift and resource not only for breast cancer survivors and support groups but for those who are sharing this journey with them. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I thank Yvonne for sharing her heart, her hope, and her life with us. We are better for it.
Georgia Shaffer, PA Licensed Psychologist and Author of Taking Out Your Emotional Trash

I know Yvonne from the writing community and read her book because I knew anything by her would be excellent. I was not disappointed. The book is encouraging, inspirational, and full of hope. I traveled last week with my best friend and we read it together during our daily devotions. Neither of us have had cancer and yet this book ministered to us every morning. I'd suggest this book for anyone struggling with difficult news of any kind. Trust me - you will be blessed.

"I hope it works out for you!"
"I hope things go as expected."
"I hope things improve soon."
"I hope I find my way out of this mess some day."

We all hope for something, don't we? In fact, we pursue hope and cling to it with every breath, for after all, without it, why go on? People commit suicide because they ran out of hope. But the Bible talks about "the hope that doesn't disappoint," and that's the hope author and cancer survivor Yvonne Ortega refers to in her excellent book, "Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer."

Now I know not everyone has breast cancer or even knows someone who does. If you do, then this book is exactly what you need. But if not, you (or someone you love) need a book to strengthen your grip on hope. This practical book of 60 inspirational readings by author and speaker Yvonne Ortega is just the ticket!

Cancer isn't the last word. Hope is.

This is what Yvonne Ortega believes, and she should know. Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer is the 2nd edition of her excellent book of inspirational readings for those caught up in the cancer journey.

In Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer, Yvonne Ortega reminds us that no matter how difficult life may become, God is always there. When cancer strikes, and you or those near to you face the roller coaster of treatment and side-effects, you will find encouragement and inspiration through the words of this book.

Each short chapter contains Scripture and a devotional message based on personal experience. Yvonne speaks from the heart, sharing her real feelings and reactions in a way that will cause you to say, "She understands."

As a cancer survivor myself, I wish this book had been around when I needed it. Well done Yvonne! Thank you for allowing me to share a little of the journey with you.

Yvonne Ortega has provided a wonderful resource for women dealing with the difficult and frightening journey of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Drawing from her own personal experience with breast cancer, the author provides sixty short inspirational readings. Each reading centers around an experience within her journey She begins with the initial diagnosis and then leads us through surgery, cancer returning, treatment and healing.
Each reading begins with a scripture and ends with a short prayer. The author writes with openness and honesty about her fears, disappointments and struggles along the way. She also opens up a full picture of how a cancer diagnosis can change your day to day routine of living. The readings show honest frustration with losses of independence due to physical limitations after surgery and during treatment but at the same time are balanced with growing thankfulness for the love and care that God surrounded her with from friends, family, co-workers and health care workers.
Yvonne Ortega has given cancer patients a great gift in the writing of this little book. I would highly recommend it as a gift to be given to anyone who is currently dealing with breast cancer, particularly those who are newly diagnosed.

Breast cancer. It's the diagnosis nobody wants to hear. It's the diagnosis an estimated 1.3 million women worldwide receive each year. And it's the diagnosis doctors gave Yvonne Ortega back in 2001.

A popular speaker and certified counselor, Yvonne practiced the writer's version of "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." When life gave her cancer, she wrote a book. In fact, many of the sixty devotionals contained within the pages of Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer were written during her treatment and recovery period.

The book's format makes it a perfect match for battle-weary soldiers facing their own cancer wars. Each devotional contains a "Hope Builder" (a single Scripture verse or brief passage), key verse (quoted in full for easy reference), and one- to two-page devotional that ends with a brief prayer. Since the book moves chronologically through the author's personal cancer journey, readers will identify with many of the emotions, experiences, and challenges she faces along the way.

Yvonne's performed a great service in the brief yet meaningful format of each piece. Readers can read a little--and gain a lot. The book's primary strength, however, lies in the transparency the author brings to her subject. Writers--especially those who write from the perspective of faith--can fall prey to the temptation to make ourselves appear godly, righteous, and holier-than-thou. Ms. Ortega's honesty about her moments of despair and days of doubt both endear her to her readers and add credence to the biblical, practical wisdom she shares.

Because of Jesus, there is hope for your journey through breast cancer. Because of Yvonne Ortega, there is an attractive, thoughtful, and personal way to find it.

With tenderness, wisdom and profound insights,
Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer takes us on a different path--one where cancer is not a disease but a decisive way in which God puts forth His promises.
The approach and style are refreshing. And the author's candor is only surpassed by the courage that leaps from the pages. With each entry, reader will shed a tear at the struggle, cheer for each triumph, and be in awe at God's provision for every step.
No matter the challenge, diagnosis or hardship,
Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer will walk the readers from the anguish of the struggle to the victory found in Christ.
Rich with Scriptural references the insights presented are a powerful companion for anyone walking through dark valleys.


Janet Perez Eckles
Author / Speaker
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