Customer Reviews

A Good Day Anyway: My Poetic Journal of Cancer Survival

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This little book embodies the power of positive thinking! It contains the writers open and honest thoughts and feelings in easy to read and entertaining poems about his day to day struggle with intensive cancer treatment. It is a must read for all who are facing the challenge of cancer survival and other difficult life challenges.

We just love this book. Anyone can relate...but especially those going through any difficult treatment for any ailing or terminal illness. We bought the book for ourselves and another copy for a good friend with a terminal illness and it's such an honest, open, sweet journey. It makes you feel like you are not alone. Gorgeous book. Great gift.

The simple words are cleverly used to express emotional insights. This book is an inspiration! And if you like the drawings in Shel Silverstein books, you'll love this book!

I bought one of the first copies of A Good Day Anyway. My review has been a long time coming. Dave Massey is my son. I have read his poems over and over for the past 10 years. Each time they bring tears to my eyes. Tears of joys, he won two battles with cancer. Tears of pride, he wrote most of them when he was barely able to hold a pen or pencil. Tears of thanks, to the Doctors and Nurses who took care of him. A Good Day Anyway is not just beneficial for those dealing with cancer but for the loved ones, family, and friends that are also involved. I have made copies of these poems to share with those who themselves or their family member are battling cancer. I highly recommend that everyone read this little book as it is encouraging to know that someone out there beat the odds and became a better person because he had cancer.

Dave Massey built the house my family and I now live in -- literally. I met Dave in 1996 when we bought the house next door to his, a house he had built himself. In my review title, I use the words "Neighbors by chance," but I must confess that I don't believe in coincidence; I believe it was nothing short of the hand of God that caused our lives to intersect. My title should more accurately read "Neighbors by God's providence, friends by choice," but that doesn't sound quite as catchy... ;o)

Shortly after we moved in next door to Dave, he shared with us about his experience in his first battle with cancer, and we had an instant "beyond-neighbor" connection. My own mom fought and won a fierce battle with cancer in 1988. That being the case, we were all stunned when Dave was diagnosed with cancer a second time. My mom was also diagnosed a second time in 1998, at which time Dave shared his poems with us to give to her. They were incredibly encouraging.

Having had the privilege of first reading these wonderful poems almost a decade ago, I was delighted to hear that Dave had them published into this special book. It is my prayer that these poems will be as much an encouragement and blessing to others as they have been to my own family. God has blessed Dave with optimism, courage, and strength. I pray every reader of his book will take those things away with them to be victorious in his or her own battles in life.

A Good Day Anyway is an inspiring book for people who are battling cancer, but it is also helpful to the rest of us who need to make sense of it all. I can't stop reading the poems--sometimes I learn about a cancer patient's feelings, other times I learn about the confusing medical terminology, other times I learn about the quantity of time a cancer patient spends getting treated. Mostly I feel like I'm learning about how a man with an iron will not only to survive, but also thrive, thinks.

Dave Massey 's poetic journey of cancer treatments and survival is realistic, witty and kind. It is kind because he wrote it so his daughter could understand and not be frightened by his condition. Others facing similar challenges can take heart in good days anyway.

This book is a powerful inspiration to those living with an ailment. Dave's battle is a light on the trepidations of the human endeavor. It is a splendid view on the treatment period, definitely showing the reader, cancer is not kind nor discerning towards anyone!

This little easy-read book of poems that journals Dave's battle with
cancer is fascinating in the way that it portrays the effectiveness
of a positive attitude. Winning or losing a battle with cancer can only
be improved with looking at each day as a blessing and seeing - and living - the goodness and Grace given for that day. Very worthwhile!!

Dave Massey's inspired poetry reminds everybody that no matter how bad it gets it is better to make the best of it. His example of positive thinking is at the essence of the human spirit and what we can achieve when we've got our minds right. I would recommend this book to anyone going through cancer, but especially to everybody else, because there is no time for negative energy- it is a waste and a detriment to our society.