The Immune Spirit: A Story of Love, Loss and Healing; One Woman's Triumph over Breast Cancer, from the Mother of Meg Ryan (Paperback)

~ Susan Jordan (Author) "Thirty-five years later, on a November night in 1979, I lay in a darkened room of Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut..." (more)
Key Phrases: freshman girls, New York, New Haven, Fort Lauderdale (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Jordan was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 1979, yet that story is subsumed under the weight of the literally day-by-day recounting of her life story. Jordan tries to reconcile how her family history and "anxious thoughts of grief and despair" had caused her cancer after reading Carl and Stephanie Simonton's Getting Well Again and a 1926 volume called A Psychological Study of Cancer. Over time, Jordan did become more assertive and less deferential in her relationships, and she considers these attitude changes likewise responsible for her "healing." The real rationale for this book seems to be Jordan's desire to get on the record her side of the story of her marriage and her relationships with her children, one of whom is actress Meg Ryan, from whom Jordan has been estranged since 1990. Jordan may have needed to write this book; fans of Ryan's might find this book interesting; but most library users, especially breast cancer patients, will not need to read it. Not recommended.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

On the brink of her fortieth birthday, Susan Ryan Jordan heard the dreaded words "You have breast cancer." In shock over what she thought was a certain death sentence, Jordan began to read a book her doctor, the now famous Bernie Siegel, gave to her, which challenged cancer patients to heal themselves. Immersed in this hopeful message Jordan took stock of her life.

While shocking, Jordan's cancer diagnosis was somehow strangely expected. She had become ensnared in the trap of "fitting in," obeying the dictates of her religion, her family and the social strictures of her town. A painful divorce and temporary leave of her four children for financial reasons only fueled her guilt and overwhelming sense of loss. Despair and self-deprecation had left her open to this life-threatening illness.

Jordan's beautifully written and very poignant personal account reveals how changing negative feelings to hope and confidence can, indeed, reverse the course of a disease-even cancer. She also reveals how the still unresolved and painful split with her daughter, actress Meg Ryan, was caused by her newfound self-confidence and strength, and writes that the journey to health sometimes involves loss, but always leads to understanding and serenity.

This is a book of hope-an affirmation that true healing and peace is within everyone's each.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: HCI; First Edition edition (September 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558749241
• ISBN-13: 978-1558749245
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,604,998 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!!, March 7, 2007

By	L. Kohn (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - See all my reviews

This book is a richly detailed memoir of a particular woman and time... it is the story of the author, growing up in 1950's New England, who felt obliged to obey the dictates of her family, religion and society and who suffered the loss of her own self-worth. It is a fascinating portrait of a woman who discovered her true self through her life threatening illness and literally willed herself well. The author is a 28 year breast cancer survivor. The book has recently been honored with an Arts and Excellence award from the Heal Breast Cancer Foundation, which is studying it as part of their research programs. The book is in the reading libraries of hospitals and the author has been a spokeswoman for The American Cancer Society and The Susan G. Komen Foundation. The author describes herself as "a classic breast cancer personality who became a classic breast cancer survivor." The book is a deeply personal and inspiring account of one woman's triumph over lessons of her past in order to recover her health and a joyful future. I recommend it highly.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The ties that bind...., June 14, 2006

By	got2haveit "got2haveit" - See all my reviews

Meg chose to violate her mother's privacy, and I give her mother cudo's for speaking out and defending herself. Like Meg, Susan chose to leave an unhappy marriage; Unlike Meg, she was not making millions of dollars, and I am sure had to make some choices based on survival. How many of our mothers had the choices that MEG has now, my mother sure did not. Life is not perfect; nor is anyone. I can only hope Meg can avoid the pain of losing a parent one day without saying goodbye, like I did. I think the other reviews on this page do not show any depth of character- but then again, movie stars are "perfect", right? History indeed does repeat itself; good luck Daisy.