Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer [Hardcover]

Patti Balwanz (Author), Kim Carlos (Author), Jennifer Johnson (Author), Jana Peters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2006

Like any group of young women, Patti, Kim, Jennifer, and Jana talked about their latest career moves, the men in their lives, and their dreams for family each month when they met for lunch at the café at their local Nordstrom department store. But unlike other women their age, their conversations also turned to more serious issues, issues their “non-breast cancer” friends couldn’t have imagined or understood.Their breast cancer diagnoses came at very different phases of their young lives. Patti was 24, single, and forging her way in the corporate world. Jana was planning her wedding at age 27, and bravely walked down the aisle wearing a wig and breast prosthesis. Jennifer, also 27, was five months pregnant when she was diagnosed, and endured surgery and chemotherapy during the pregnancy. Kim found her lump at age 30 while planning her son’s second birthday party, and faced the issues of raising a toddler while she underwent treatment.Nordie’s at Noon shares the personal stories of each of these extraordinary women. A source of humor, strength, inspiration, and education, the book will speak to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer or faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. A celebration of friendship and of living life to the fullest, Nordie’s at Noon is also a book that will encourage women everywhere to be proactive with their health-and realize that no one is “too young” for breast cancer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this is a rare book that has the saddest of endings and yet still manages to be--yes--life affirming." -- People Magazine 4-star review, 10/9/06

"An emotional, touching and even funny memoir." -- (LifetimeTV.com)

"Each woman expressed gratitude for the silver linings in the cloud of breast cancer." -- St. Petersburg Times, 10/10/2006

"It delivers...Parts...bring tears to our eyes, then the next page sneaks in a laugh...Ultimately hopeful and inspiring." -- (Wichita Eagle, 10/29/2006)

"Pick up a copy of "Nordie's at Noon" on your way to your mammogram. It may literally be a lifesaver." -- (Herald Standard, 10/16/2006)

"Remarkable...Packed with the details of personal stories and leavened with humor...Their voices are distinct." -- Kansas City Nursing News, 11/7/2006

"Their combined insights...[encourage] women of all ages to be proactive when it comes to their health." -- (TheBreastCareSite.com, October 2006)

"Will help many readers be more proactive with their health...Simple, honest, funny, heartbreaking, and inspirational." -- PsycCRITIQUES.org, 2/28/07

"[A] funny, poignant, and exceedingly valuable resource...a superb text." -- Library Journal starred review, 9/1/06

"[A] warm and intimate detailing of how cancer upends young lives." -- Ms., Fall 2006

About the Author

Patti Balwanz died in 2003, at the age of twenty-nine. Kim Carlos lives in Kansas City with her husband and son. Jennifer Johnson lives with her husband and two children in Overland Park, Kansas. Jana Peters died in 2006, at the age of thirty-five.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738210862
• ISBN-13: 978-0738210865
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,213,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have tissue handy, November 29, 2006

By 

penandra (Livermore, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

As others have mentioned, I read the review in People magazine and picked up the book the next day. The approach taken by the authors is a great approach with each woman sharing her experience on the journey. I would recommend this book to any woman I know (and have). But if I were to give it as a gift, I'd include a package of tissues alongside!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, February 27, 2008

By 

S. Prewett (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

I bought this for my mom, a breast cancer survivor. I had read a bit of it before I gave it to her and really like the style, very clever and real. My mom did say she is enjoying the book but would have rather had it while she was going through her treatments. She says that it is hard to go back to that place in time be it in films, tv, or books. She is very involved in helping other women going through treatments and says that she plans to use this book to help her new friends. Best of luck to those of you out there facing this horrible cancer or have loved ones in this situation, but you are never alone and there are always angels when you least expect it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book- Nordie's at Noon, January 10, 2007

By 

A. Cooper (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nordie's at Noon: The Personal Stories of Four Women "Too Young" for Breast Cancer (Hardcover)

I am an oncology nurse, and I found this book to be both medically correct and very interesting. I cried, laughed, and got easily involved in this book. The women gave very honest and frank views of going through chemo, as well as projecting their personalities and strong will to live. Highly recommended!!