Living with Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds [Paperback]

Eliza Wood Livingston (Author), David Spiegel (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2005 | ISBN-10: 1591023475 | ISBN-13: 978-1591023470 | Edition: 1

Despite the efforts of Katie Couric to draw attention to the importance of colonoscopy screening for the detection of colon cancer, this cancer still does not receive the publicity devoted to breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Yet colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in the world and is the second leading cause of death from cancer next to lung cancer. As a result of the silence surrounding this disease, colon cancer patients and their families can feel isolated, without the support and information networks available to those coping with more publicised illnesses. In this helpful and inspiring book, Eliza Wood Livingston provides a wealth of practical information about colon cancer while telling of her own heroic battle against this challenging disease and her survival after a bleak diagnosis. Designed to provide both vital information and emotional support, Livingston's story will help anyone faced with the difficult ordeals of surgery, chemotherapy, colostomy, and the emotional roller coaster that patients often experience. At every stage of facing these challenging hurdles, she describes to readers what they can expect, guides them to be their own advocates and ask the right questions of medical personnel, and effectively conveys the comforting message that they need never feel alone. A very reader-friendly text, with many useful sidebars highlighting important points, makes this accessible book easy to follow for average readers. Livingston points out that while society seems more willing to recognise and openly discuss other life-threatening illnesses, a sense of shame and secrecy persists regarding colorectal cancer. Her personal story of courage and complete candidness about her condition go a long way toward dispelling the fear and embarrassment often associated with colon cancer. Most important, she gives fellow patients and their families hope that they too can triumph over this serious disease.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eliza Wood Livingston worked as a Certified Nurse Midwife on the obstetrical staff at Kaiser Santa Teresa Medical Center in San Jose, California, until her cancer diagnosis in 1996.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; 1 edition (September 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591023475
• ISBN-13: 978-1591023470
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Cancer > Colorectal

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living with Colon Cancer, April 6, 2006

By 

T. N. Smalley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living with Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds (Paperback)

This is an inspired and inspiring book. It is personal and authentic. As someone going through some of what Livingston endured in the initial stages, I was amazed at her prescient descriptions of what I was experiencing! Surprisingly, this is a page-turner: it is engagingly written, and your mind and feelings lap up every word.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living with Colon Cancer, January 22, 2006

By 

Miss Prim Creep "mkh" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living with Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds (Paperback)

I could not put this book down! Ms. Livingston has written of her incredibly personal journey of dealing with colon cancer, in a style that is easy-to-read, interesting, compelling and appreciated due to the helpful tips and asides for everyone involved with someone facing cancer. For me, this is THE reference book for laymen. I am recommending it to everyone who may find it useful - who hasn't been affected by cancer? I am in awe of her strength and courage to write of her ordeal and the spirit in which she tells her story.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too negative, July 13, 2006

By 

Occasional Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living with Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds (Paperback)

Eliza certainly went through tough times through her illness both because of the US centric healthcare system, the less than first class medical professionals, as well as the treatments itself. Would not recommend this book for anyone actually having Colon Cancer.