Living Through Breast Cancer - PB [Paperback]

Carolyn Kaelin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2006

Winner of two prestigious American Medical Writers Association awards

A compassionate guide to surviving breast cancer from a doctor who has experienced it from both sides of the stethoscope

In addition to being a leading national breast cancer expert and a highly respected cancer surgeon, Dr. Carolyn Kaelin also is a breast cancer survivor. In Living Through Breast Cancer she draws upon her experiences as both doctor and patient to offer you a priceless source of understanding, support, and guidance on coping with and beating breast cancer.

Dr. Kaelin's warm, authoritative guidance will help you:

• Understand your diagnosis and choose a care team
• Identify your treatment options and make informed decisions
• Look and feel your best during and after treatment
• Maintain good health after breast cancer
• Lower your chances of a recurrence of breast cancer

Editorial Reviews

Review

In many ways, Kaelin's guide for women diagnosed with breast cancer is just like all the other excellent manuals out there: intelligent, pragmatic and reassuring, it explains how to understand one's diagnosis and treatment options, assemble a "care team," handle common changes in looks and deal with feelings common among women with the disease. What sets the book apart, though, is its author's perspective: she is a breast cancer surgeon and director of the Comprehensive Breast Health Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. She has since had three lumpectomies, a mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery. Not surprisingly, then, Kaelin's book is fairly serious, though not overly academic, and filled with anecdotes from not only her own experiences as a breast cancer patient but from many other women, too. The result is a helpful book that will inform patients and their families, giving them a firm grasp on both the medical and emotional aspects of breast cancer. Kaelin's tone is upbeat but not intensely so; her approach will probably best suit women who just want the facts without too much sentimentality. --PW

From the Back Cover

Winner of two prestigious American Medical Writers Association awards

A compassionate guide to surviving breast cancer from a doctor who has experienced it from both sides of the stethoscope

In addition to being a leading national breast cancer expert and a highly respected cancer surgeon, Dr. Carolyn Kaelin also is a breast cancer survivor. In Living Through Breast Cancer she draws upon her experiences as both doctor and patient to offer you a priceless source of understanding, support, and guidance on coping with and beating breast cancer.

Dr. Kaelin's warm, authoritative guidance will help you:

• Understand your diagnosis and choose a care team
• Identify your treatment options and make informed decisions
• Look and feel your best during and after treatment
• Maintain good health after breast cancer
• Lower your chances of a recurrence of breast cancer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (August 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071478809
• ISBN-13: 978-0071478809
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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 This is THE book to have when you have breast cancer!, July 15, 2008

By 

K. Champagne "kachampagne" (Holyoke, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Through Breast Cancer - PB (Paperback)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is, or wants to support someone who is, living through breast cancer.

I bought this book the day after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted a book that was the equivalent of the "What to Expect" books written for expectant and new parents. This book completely fit the bill. Dr. Kaelin's explanations of the science and lingo surrounding breast cancer and treatments are thorough and accessible. She also provides information about how you'll feel during and after surgery and treatment, what you'll need to have on hand to support your healing, and how to manage the side effects of treatment.

One of my favorite things about the book is that information regarding lumpectomy and mastectomy is separated, as is information regarding radiation therapy and chemotherapy. I really appreciated this, as I was having difficulty reading the websites that covered all this information all together--it was too scary. Having this information separated made it possible for me to read only what applies to my own situation, but I also know that I have the other information if I should need it.

The other great thing about this book is that the language is very carefully chosen to avoid references to struggling and fighting, but focuses instead on coping and living as well as you can during and after surgery and treatment. This positive approach is calming and reassuring to me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living Through Breast Cancer, June 27, 2009

By 

Baker Street Fan (Orlando, Fl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Through Breast Cancer - PB (Paperback)

I also purchased this book the day after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I remember how nervous I was bringing this to the counter at the book store. I wanted something that would walk me 'through' breast cancer not just survive it.

This book is excellent and covers what all those websites cover in easy to understand terms with hope not doom and gloom.

I suggest this to all who are diagnosed or who have a friend facing this journery.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best resource for breast cancer, April 26, 2008

By 

Susan Nossa (Pflugerville, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Through Breast Cancer - PB (Paperback)

There are several books and dozens of web-sites with information and guidance for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. This is, by far, the best that I've seen. It is written in a way that is easily accessible and full of great information and data. I highly recommend this as a resource for both the cancer patient and anyone interested in the subject.