Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World [Hardcover]

Sean Swarner (Author), Rusty Fischer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2007

The 29,035-foot giant known as Mount Everest tortures its challengers with life-threatening conditions such as 100 mph winds, the dramatic loss of oxygen, snowstorms, and deadly avalanches. Climbers of Everest are faced with incredible dangers, but for Sean Swarner the obstacles he overcame prior to his summiting make his story even more compelling.

Sean isn't just a cancer survivor; he is truly a medical marvel. He is the only person in the world ever to have been diagnosed with both Hodgkin's disease and Askin's sarcoma. He was diagnosed in the fourth and final stage of Hodgkin's disease at the age of thirteen, when doctors expected him to live for no more than three months. He overcame his illness only to be stricken a second time when a deadly golf ball-sized tumor attacked his right lung. After removal of the Askin's tumor, Sean was expected to live for less than two weeks. A decade later and with only partial use of his lungs, Sean became famous for being the first cancer survivor to climb Mount Everest.

Sean's successful summiting of Mount Everest was driven not only by his desire to reach the highest peak in the world but also by his determination to use his accomplishment as a way to bring hope to others facing seemingly insurmountable odds. By showing those affected by cancer how he has conquered some of the most difficult obstacles life could offer, Sean inspires others with the will to live. Living proof that cancer patients can and do recover, his story will encourage those touched by cancer to dream big and never give up. Despite life's setbacks, Sean believes those dreams are always in reach.

Sean's story is not just about illness, heartache, and pain; it's about something greater. It's about hope. It's about helping others and never quitting. It's about personal battles with the elements and coming out on top of the world . . . literally.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When he was a teenager, Swarner was diagnosed with two kinds of cancer. The prognosis was bad (measured in months), but after spending years in and out of hospitals, he beat the cancers into submission. In May 2002, he celebrated his survival by reaching the summit of Mount Everest, part of his goal to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. In his life, as in the book, mountain climbing is a metaphor for his struggle to overcome overwhelming odds. The book is full of the expected inspirational messages (keep climbing no matter what), but it's Swarner's account of his teenage years as a cancer patient, which takes up the first half of the book, that sets his story apart from most of the other climbing-as-spiritual-therapy memoirs out there. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"The thing about cancer is that it forces you to focus on what is important and pushes you to the limits of your determination. As more people survive -- and even thrive -- beyond a cancer diagnosis, the disease is losing its status as an automatic death sentence. In being the first cancer survivor to reach the summit of Mount Everest, Sean Swarner not only realized his dream but also gave hope to millions of people affected by cancer. He has proved, once again, that there is life beyond a cancer diagnosis and that there is always reason to believe." -- Lance Armstrong

"Sean Swarner's riveting book about surviving cancer and eventually climbing Mount Everest is a validation of life. I found myself wincing at all the agonizing cancer tests and chemo treatments, empathizing with his teenage worries and struggles, and cheering each time he emerged from ashes to triumph again. Sean's story is one of alchemy. Miraculously, he found a way to turn lead into gold. His story should give a profound sense of hope to all the would-be alchemists who yearn not only to survive their struggles but to turn them into the fuel to climb the highest mountains." -- Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest and author of Touch the Top of the World

"I felt very humble in reading Sean's account -- I reached the top of Everest with a long mountaineering background and without a day's serious illness in my life. He climbed so many 'Everests' in his life and achieved them against all the odds by sheer guts, determination and an indomitable sense of humor. This is a great and inspiring read on so many different levels." -- Sir Christopher Bonington, famed British mountaineer

"Sean's story proves that miracles happen every day -- some of them just happen at higher elevations than others. His story of triumph over adversity is an inspiration to us all!" -- Dr. Ben Lerner, author of One Minute Wellness --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Atria; 1 edition (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743292057
• ISBN-13: 978-0743292054
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,247,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, February 23, 2007

By 

Daniel E. Womer (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World (Hardcover)

Reading Sean's account of his "trek" through life is really amazing! His struggle with cancer, twice, and then heading towards climbing the highest peak in the world speak to his vision. I was captured by his account of his parent's ability to deal with his cancer and as a parent, I cannot imagine the strength it took to make it through the times described. Sean is very inspirational in his story and I think his book will make you examine you own personal complaints. A great read! Keep Climbing!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep Climbing, February 27, 2007

By 

J. Boettcher (Bellevue, Wa USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World (Hardcover)

Absolutely the best, heart felt, inspiring story I have read in years! Sean truly IS a survivor and success. His experiences with cancer, so young and 2x's, can't be anything but amazing and encouraging to others...and THEN, dedicating his life helping other cancer patients through his Cancer Climber Foundation. The first cancer survivor to summit Everest and only one more climb to reach the "Seven Summits". The climbing dialog is clearly written letting one vicariously climb, too. I know from this great read, Sean will succeed in every dream he has. Keep Climbing, Sean.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous inspirational story, February 13, 2007

By 

Inspired Reader (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World (Hardcover)

Sean Swarner's inspiring tale of conquering cancer and Mt. Everest should be read by anyone who has ever been affected by the horrible disease. Swarner is the real deal--a genuine guy who wants to help other people. Read this book and share it with those who mean the most to you.