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Hope for the Journey through Cancer: Inspiration for Each Day

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Author Yvonne Ortega received the word that no one wants to hear: she had breast cancer. As her plans went on hold and her life took daily trips into pain, fear, and doubt, she discovered the healing power of hope.

Hope for the Journey through Cancer offers two months of short devotionals, with Yvonne's honest assessment of her experiences, related Scripture passages and prayers. The devotionals are bite-sized but full of power, easy to read even on the days when a cancer patient feels the worst.

Although Hope speaks specifically to cancer, it also ministers to anyone whose life has taken unexpected turns. Facing fear, making decisions, accepting help, overcoming obstacles--all of these themes are part of the universal human experience.

Buy Hope for the Journey through Cancer for everyone you know who has been diagnosed with cancer. Buy it for yourself. God will use Ms. Ortega's book to speak to you.

As I read Yvonne Ortega's 157-page book, Hope for the Journey through Cancer: Inspiration for Each Day I began marking pages I might want to share with friends suffering diverse kinds of pain. After I read the book in one sitting, I saw I had marked almost every page. Ortega has produced what she longed for herself upon learning of her diagnosis of cancer--"a book that would address all those (gamut of) feelings within a context of Scripture and prayer" (38). Throughout Ortega's frank and alternating confessions of fear and hope, I realized she was helping me work through a non-life-threatening pain; a cherished young friend's unwanted divorce. I began substituting the word "pain" for "cancer" and knew why Ortega's message touched me so; we need hope through every journey of pain. We need the kind of hope only God through messengers like Ortega can give. God will bless many people--cancer patients, families, friends, and all strugglers through Ortega's powerful little book. Hope for the Journey through Cancer: Inspiration for Each Day will be a popular Bible study, book group, and support group choice, easing the journey for all who disciver it. Of particular interest will be her practical "Hope Builder" passages.--Emily Walls Ray

Oh, how I wish I'd had this excellent book forty years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer! A young wife and mother, pregnant with my second child, I was devastated and terrified of what the cancer diagnosis meant to me and my family. Thank God for Yvonne Ortega, who has written this book with such humility and candor, offering hope to those who so desperately need it. An excellent resource!

"Cancer." Even the word strikes fear in the human heart. No other disease affects the human spirit so deeply. Unlike other diseases where the body wears out or is attacked, cancer is the human body turning upon itself. Oncology patients often wrestle with their mortality, the pain of broken dreams, and a need to understand the causes of human suffering. All of these questions naturally lead to a spirituality quest.

In her new book, Hope for the Journey Through Cancer, Yvonne Ortega takes on the role of a spiritual guide. Ortega has been down this road. In 2001, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In Hope for the Journey Through Cancer, she cleverly retells her story in 60 short devotionals. She documents her fears, anger, devastation, and joys as she battles cancer. Each devotional starts with a recommended passage of scripture for personal reflection and proceeds to connect that passage to an experience that Ortega had during her journey. Each devotional is ended with a short prayer. Ortega's writing style is open and honest. The reader can feel her emotions as moved down the road of cancer. She takes her reader with her as she is stunned by her diagnoses, depressed while shopping for a wig, and even when she wrestles with wither to have chemotherapy. Ortega's journey is not white washed. She displays her weaknesses. The reader can clearly view her fears, anger, devastation, and joy as she battles cancer.

The advantages of the book are many. First, Ortega has a universal writing style. While she is specifically a breast cancer survivor her story is applicable to a vast variety of oncology patients. Her book potentially has the possibility of assisting family and friends to understand this overwhelming journey. In addition to her universal appeal, she discusses most of the traditional treatment options available to cancer patients. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The devotionals are arranged chronologically, so a patient can probably find a devotional that parallels his or her own journey. Last of all, the book should be praised for its honesty. Ortega invites patients and families to join her on this journey and she selflessly opens up her own life as a picture of that journey through cancer.

I had the privilege of meeting Yvonne Ortega in Colorado, and her book is every bit as geniuine and inspirational as she is in person. Her journey through cancer to health and vitality will be a blessing to those who are going through treatment and families who seek sensitivity to what their loved ones are experiencing. This book holds deep truths but is easy to read and well organized. Get one to keep handy as a resource. In fact, get two. Somebody you know will need it.

In "Hope for the Journey through Cancer: Inspiriation for Each Day," Yvonne Ortega shares a heartfelt glimpse into her 2001 battle with breast cancer. She makes us laugh, she makes us cry, but most of all she offers hope to those who are facing cancer or to those who love them through personal devotionals which demonstrate how her faith in a loving God gave her the courage to become a six-year survivor. Specific scriptures for each devotional consistently give the praise for her victory to the God who became her refuge and strong tower. A must have for anyone facing cancer or looking for a way to support loved ones facing the disease with courage, humor and hope.

Most people face illness at one time or another. This book is an inspiration to anyone who faces a major illness. Ms. Ortega writes from the heart. Her compassion and love shine through the pages of this book. A must for all of us who have lived through illness or have cared for friends and family suffering a major illness.

The Bible tells us that God is the God of all comfort (2. Corinthians 1:3). In her book "Hope for the Journey through Cancer," Yvonne Ortega brings that concept to life as she walks with readers every step of the way, sharing her own experiences and bringing them back to the Word of God. Each devotion begins with a "Hope Builder" - a passage of Scripture which readers are to look up in their own Bibles. I LOVE that Yvonne directs us to the Bible as the very first thing. Those with cancer will be able to relate to every devotion in the book. Yvonne mixes humor with profound truths, bringing hope to all who read. Her own story is amazing, but she is not the center of the book. God is. And you are--that is your faith and hope through thsi incredible journey. (If you don't have cancer, count your blessings but purchase this book for those you know who do!)

like a cancer patient misses a piece of themselves, any person supporting a cancer patient loses themselves. to the process.
this devotional helps any and all through the process. the grief-striken, yet hope-producing process. Kudos to Yvonne for putting the hope on paper for the rest of us.

It is an excellant book. It gives the cancer patient a feeling that he/she is not alone in her feelings. It really helps give hope and a feeling of companionship.