Making the Chemotherapy Decision [Paperback]

David Drum (Author), David Drum MFA (Author), Michael B. Van Scoy-Mosher MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

More than 300,000 Americans are cured of cancer every year, largely because of chemotherapy. Stressing the body/mind connection, this newly updated third edition dispels myths and provide clear, concise information on the latest anticancer drugs, new antinausea medications, advances in medical technology, and nonmedical techniques to ease stress and pain.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Every year, more than 200,000 people benefit from chemotherapy. This book shows how. Drum takes a holistic approach to recovery for cancer patients who are determined to fight and who view cancer, not chemotherapy, as the enemy. He encourages them to adopt positive attitudes, long-term goals, and assertive involvement in their treatment. This practical, uplifting approach is reinforced by a thorough overview of chemotherapy's medical aspects, including misconceptions, risks and benefits, and the administration of treatments. The second half of the book discusses practical issues, such as nutrition, appearance, cost, pain, side effects, stress, social adaptations, support systems, and unorthodox treatments. Drum even includes advice for coping with unsuccessful chemotherapy and dying. A valuable appendix lists relevant books, electronic databases, and electronic addresses and a glossary. There is a powerhouse of help and encouragement here for anyone who accepts cancer as a curable illness, not a death sentence. Patricia Hassler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Well-grounded scientifically, easy to understand. A "bedside companion" for those who are dealing with this terrible ordeal. Malin Dollinger, M.D. -- Los Angeles Medical Association Physician, February 3, 1997

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 3 edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0737303832
• ISBN-13: 978-0737303834
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,148,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a health and business writer, I've been interested in good health for many years, so it probably follows that I'd write books in that area. Since I love to read novels, and I love a good heartfelt laugh, it's probably not a surprise that I would write a comic novel like Introducing the Richest Family in America.

I have written several nonfiction books on health, and I try to take my own advice and live a healthy, well-balanced life. I eat nutritiously most of the time, do some moderate exercise every day, and try to relieve stress by doing things that I enjoy such as gardening, cycling, taking care of my pet, and so forth. I try to combine some mental work such as writing with some physical work every day. I live in an old house in Los Angeles, so I have plenty of physical work to do. I also teach a night class where I have plenty of contact with other people, which gives me another type of lifeline to the world.

I have interviewed many people coping with chronic illness, and I always emerge from these interviews impressed by the courage that men and women can exhibit when facing adversity. There is such a thing as human dignity, and it is a beautiful thing to see. Health is also an interesting metaphor for life.

One fascinating area of health for me is the whole area of mind-body medicine, where old truths are being rediscovered and refined. In my writing, I also believe that what is often dismissed as patient education is another aspect of mind-body healing. If people understand the mechanics of their medical condition and learn ways to help themselves, as Norman Cousins did, I think knowledge can help people get well.

At this point in my career, I am the author or co-author of seven health books, one novel, one book of poems, and more than 1,000 magazine articles, speeches, brochures, corporate videos, tapes, and other writing projects.

I have have an A.A. from Brevard College, a B.A. from the University of California, and an M.F.A. from the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. I was president of the Independent Writers of Southern California for a couple of years, and I have won a couple of writing awards.

I have been a newspaper reporter, an advertising copywriter, and a contributing editor and correspondent for major newspapers, national trade magazines and wire services. At various times I've worked several colorful jobs. Hopefully, this diverse life experience adds some depth to my writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If You Know Nothing About Chemotherapy....., September 8, 2001

By 

palcat (Silicon Valley CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making the Chemotherapy Decision (Paperback)

I bought this book when my Mother began to have chemotherapy
treatments. None of us knew what we were up for. I think this
book is well written, and there are a good deal of straight
forward facts, drugs used in chemo and information about them,
side effects to expect and ways to cope with them. It's a good
overview of what chemotherapy is in a perfect world. It created
hope, and underlined that chemo today is not that bad, and many
people barely feel the effects. It didn't address the reality
that chemotherapy is horrible to go through, destroys your body,
and is worse than cancer itself. I rate it 3 stars for giving a
happy but thorough overview of what chemo is, but it lacks
giving the harsh realities that someone must know about before
making the chemotherapy decision.