Customer Reviews

I'm Not Lance!: A Cancer Experience and Survival Guide for Mere Mortals

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is for anyone touched by cancer (patient or loved one). My son is a bone cancer survivor, and this book expressed my fears as well. Although this book was years late for me (I had to find my way without the insight from this book), it would have provided me a perspective of what my son (age 21 when diagnosed) was going through. As a mother of a child facing cancer, treatment, hospitalization every two weeks for 3-5 days at a time, plus hospitalization for infections, not to mention the fear or stopping his life for an extended period of time, the pain, the mental anguish, etc. etc., all of this for almost a year, it took a toll on everyone. This book is for everyday people faced with this all-too-common disease. It is an excellent 'first' book if you or a loved one is recently diagnosed, as it provides much needed perspective, and advice on what to do (keeping a log of treatment, how to relate with specialists and nurses, etc.). I hope you do not need to read this. But if you do, it is a tool you could use from day-one. You might also want to know that the author (Scott Alcott) is donating all proceeds to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, which improves the quality of life for people dealing with sarcoma, and provides funds for research. What more can you ask for? Yes, a cure, of course. But until then, read this book. Thank you, author Scott Alcott, for helping so many people in so many ways.

Scott,
Thank you for sharing your battle.
As a father of a 15 year old who is in remission since his stem cell transplant
back in 2006 ( this after an initial round of several months of chemo and radiation),
your book provides keen insight in what it takes to develop each individual's Cancer Inc.
Your recommendations are right on; keeping records, not being afraid to question your doctor,
making sure you are comfortable with your medical team and making sure that you are an integral part of that team are terrific pieces of advice for anyone that will battle this disease. I am 110% certain that anyone who will read your story will come away in a much better position to take on their fight.

Also thank you for sharing your fears, feelings and personal thoughts. Congratulations to you;
Congratulations to your family and I wish you all the very best in the days ahead.

You may not be Lance; but I would not want to face you in a bike race; you make for a very strong and worthy opponent.

I had the privilege of hearing Lance Armstrong speak a couple of years ago and his presentation opened with, "I'm not even going to ask this audience to raise their hands if they know someone who has Cancer. I know everyone knows someone who is affected by this disease".
From the perspective of supporting a family member going through the Cancer battle, this book provides invaluable insight as to what the patient is experiencing as well as important guidance to the caregiver's role. Anyone going through the journey or supporting the patient, should read this book and realize the role of "advocate" as a necessary role. Scott maps the course for you in a generalized way, not only specific to his own experience. This is very clear, uncomplicated and witty. This is a must read as we all know someone contending with this disease.

Maybe it's my age, or maybe I am just more aware, but it seems to me that I am encountering friends/loved ones/neighbors battling cancer more frequently. This book came to me at just the right time. It was so engaging that I read it front to back in one sitting. Scott's honesty, perspective and insight have and will really help me in my role as supporter and friend to a family member battling cancer. I appreciate the peek into what the he thought, felt and experienced.

Sometimes the awful situations in our lives become the greatest gifts. I am grateful Scott has been able to take his situation and do something so positive. I highly recommend this book to anyone whose life has been touched by cancer.

I have read Lance Armstrong's book and found it amazing. After reading it, it is not difficult to understand why he became a unique world class athlete. Fortunately, I was healthy when I read the book. If I or a close one had been sick at that time, I would have probably been overwhelmed. His extraordinary mental strength and resiliance make me feel small. Some people run on a V12 engine, I have to get the best out of my small four cylinder engine, I'll never mesure up to a V12. Scott Alcott's book is of a different nature. First of all it was written almost fifteen years after Lance's. Alot has changed since then. Also Scott is an average guy, with fears, doubts, times of euphoria and discouragement. The honnesty and dignity of the emotions described in the book are both moving and comforting. If Scott made it maybe you can too even if you'll never be a seven time Tour de France winner. The wealth of information concerning the management of the disease could make the difference between success and failure. Make no mistake about it. Scott, mentally, is the average Jo, but intellectually rises above the crowd. His analytical skills and ability to process complex information and organizing it is impressive. I am convinced this book will save lives.

I too am a Sarcoma patient like the author, Scott Alcott, and am in midst of navigating all the cancer roads. As I read the book, it was like Scott had read my mind and put all my thoughts on paper. I especially enjoyed the Chapters about scanxiety (every cancer patient receiving regular scans can relate to the emotional rollercoaster) and Cancer, Inc. Again most every cancer patient faces the highs and lows of Cancer, Inc - whether it is disagreeing physicians, waiting for hours after your scheduled appointment, physicians with poor bedside manner, and insurance companies.

I recommend this book for Sarcoma patients (we are a rare breed), other cancer patients (we all fight the same battle but sometimes with different tools), and the caregivers (the book can give caregivers insight on our emotions, fears, etc.) The reader will definitely know that he or she is "not alone" after completion of this wonderful book.

I read "I'm Not Lance" cover to cover without putting it down. It is a brilliant exposition of everything you need to anticipate if you ever get the dreaded news from the doctor that you are now one of the 40% of people who contract cancer sometime during their lives. I've never had it, hope never to have it, and I don't even really know too many people who have had cancer - but I have friends who have dealt with relatives with the disease, and friends of friends. My wife and I have occasionally come up against it, and we are always awkward in handling the conversation.

This book is something you should read BEFORE you come smack-dab up against the issue of a debilitating and devastating disease striking at a loved one or at you yourself. It will prepare you.

As soon as I finished the book I gave it to my wife to read, and we'll be passing it around after that, as well. Excellent reference, and an excellent preparation for something that is far more likely than most of us care to acknowledge.

As the mother of an adult son diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma at the end of 2008, I watch as he struggles through chemo, surgeries, and is about to begin radiation treatments. The old adage "walk a mile in my shoes" came to mind as I read Scott's account of his life since his diagnosis of sarcoma. His personal perspective on so many of the issues, dilemmas, fears and pain associated with this rare cancer has helped me tremendously as I try to understand as best I can, how this all affects my son.

I know everyone is different, but Scott was able to provide valuable insight into the psyche of a sarcoma victim, and I do see many of the reactions, feelings and concerns he has written about mirrored by my son.

Although the book is specific to sarcoma, it is undoubtedly relevant to anyone dealing with any form of cancer, be they the patient, caregiver, family or friend. Scott treats the subject with grace, a touch of humor and an abundance of humanity. The book is a valuable resource and should be read and shared by more than just those directly affected by this disquieting disease.

I'm Not Lance is a must read for anyone diagnosed with cancer or a friend/family member of a cancer victim. Scott Alcott covers everything you need to know: the initial shock of diagnoses, coping--your own attitude and that of others, finding/communicating with doctors and staff, the reality of chemotherapy and radiation, and after effects. Scott wittily and honestly describes his own battle in a way that can be generalized to any type of cancer. The gift of this book would be more welcome than flowers for a cancer victim or patient advocate.

Hello Scott,
I just completed reading your Book. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. My Son Billy was also dxd with Ewings Sarcoma at the age of 10 in 2002. He is now 17, and considered CURED. I was totally captivated by every single word I read, as though I was re-living the past 7+ years of his cancer treatment. I commend you for what you have given us......."a look into your soul", and for sharing your "World of Cancer". Donating the proceeds from the sale of this book is a Noble thing Scott, and I thank you.
Be Well My Friend,
Billy's Dad (Bill)
[...]