Gary's Wish List..."There is more about me than cancer." [Paperback]

Mary Louise Selph (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 1889137111 | ISBN-13: 978-1889137117

Gary's Wish List is an account of a seventeen-year-old gutsy teenager's fight with leukemia and a bone marrow transplant.His "Wish List" was written while hospitalized in a sealed protective environment waiting for his immune system to recover. Gary's wish list, his journal, letters written to a favorite nurse and hospital staff, a camping story penned in that same protected environment, and Gary's mother's journal are used in the telling of this compelling story. Gary's basic wishes,his fears, faith, and fortitude influence every aspect of this account of a family in crisis and how they survived. It is written to aid other people in similar situations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Gary's Wish List is a must read. It is witty, poignant, and sweet and I could not put it down. Mary Louise Selph has captured her son's legacy to us in the telling of his story through his Wish List. -- Janice Davies-Petrick, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay

No death is easy, and that of one's child may be the hardest. But Gary's Wish List is a heart-warming testimony that where faith, hope and love abide, peace may be found even in the darkest valley. Parents and care-givers should not miss this inspiring story. -- The Rev. Dr. Robert P. Tucker, Minister, Lake Region Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

About the Author

Mary Louise Selph survived a family crisis and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood after the death of her seventeen year old son Gary. She taught first grade for eleven years and when an accident placed her foot in a cast, she retired from teaching and wrote about her son's battle with leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. Mary Louise teaches fifth grade Sunday School at First United Methodist Church in her hometown; she has conducted Laboratory Training Schools for the Florida United Methodist Conference throughout the southeastern part of the United States. In her spare time she tutors two days a week, kindergarten and first grade children who are labeled "at risk and she serves on the executive board of The Sunshine Council of Campfire Boys and Girls. She enjoys reading, writing poetry, playing bridge and rearranging furniture. Mary Louise and her husband Leroy live in Lakeland, Florida and enjoy spending time with their son and daughter, Judge Steven Selph and Charleen Selph Smith, their spouses and five grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: Genie Pub (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889137111
• ISBN-13: 978-1889137117
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,142,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary's Wish List, April 1, 2000

By 

Rebecca Johnson (Sharpsburg, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gary's Wish List..."There is more about me than cancer." (Paperback)

This is a can't put down easy to read book.The story is a wonderful tribute to a son who battles cancer with humor and courage and a family that faces every emotion in trying to cope. It is a heartwarming story. One I will read again! I recommend it for cancer patients, families and friends, as well as others. It will touch your heart! The author has written an excellent book from her heart. Thanks!

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! A must-read book!, October 25, 2001

By 

"richard_fuller" (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gary's Wish List..."There is more about me than cancer." (Paperback)

Gary was sixteen when he was diagnosed with leukemia. His oncologist recommended immediate chemotherapy, and the monitoring of Gary's reaction to the medication.

Gary's Wish List tells the story of Gary's remaining time on this earth. His mother, author and educator Mary Louise Selph deftly discusses all the ramifications of learning of her son's diagnosis. The guilt, the sadness, the feelings of defeat and desperation, the shock, confusion and inadequacy. And the anger and loss of faith.

Gary's words, in letters he wrote to friends and family, along with conversations with his immediate family shine a light of understanding and courage in the face of such a huge disaster. We learn how Gary finds the means to still be a teenager...and their reaction when the chemo wasn't working.

Pneumonia, weight loss, hair loss and weakness follow as well as a near-death experience from the chemo that was designed to strengthen Gary for a bone marrow transplant. During the brush with death Gary had an out-of-body experience that enabled him to relate everything that happened even though he was unconscious! All that was followed by the transplant, and protective isolation and radiation.

The treatment helped, but only for a while. Gary succumbed after nine months of a valiant fight. His funeral was held on what would have been his first day as a high school senior.

Gary's legacy is courage and the sacredness of life. Gary's Wish List is another. Mary Louise Selph has found the courage to write a page-turner of a book that enables the reader to walk in her shoes, and Gary's, too. In this reviewer's opinion, Gary's Wish List is a means to find peace through understanding!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Families and/or Medical Personnel, July 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Gary's Wish List..."There is more about me than cancer." (Paperback)

I could not put Gary's Wish List down even though I was aware that Gary didn't survive. The author takes you on a journey that you'll never forget. The reader feels like they are sitting in the passenger's seat with the hero in the story. You laugh with the family, you ache during their tragedy, and when you've read the last sentence, one realizes that life is beautiful and that God is good. This book is a must read for anyone working with patients and those who are rearing children.