Customer Reviews

You Can Beat the Odds: The Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness and Cancer

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If you or someone you know has a chronic illness, or if you simply want to be your optimal self, You Can Beat the Odds is a must-read. Patients, clients, caregivers, and healthcare workers from many disciplines can immediately use the wisdom in this book, but because of Stockdale's accessible style, anyone would enjoy reading it. In these pages, Stockdale shares a six-week program that has had wonderful clinical success for over a decade of practice at the Georgia Cancer Treatment and Hemotology Center. Unlike most self-help books, where anecdote substitutes for research, You Can Beat the Odds is full of rich scientific evidence balanced with anecdotal applications, practical exercises, and caring advice from one who knows first-hand the challenges of chronic illnesses. In the book's Foreword, Bernie Siegel recalls a patient who asked him "how to live between office visits," and explains Stockdale's work helps us understand exactly that. I agree with Siegel and add that it provides a manual for how to live optimally well! John F. Evans, Founder and Executive Director of Wellness & Writing Connections.[...]

As a mind-body practioner for over 20 years, I always wished that I had one book to give to my patients that said it "all" in an easy to read format. It didn't exist, but now it does. Brenda's book is very enjoyable to read, and so specific that it can give readers a manual that they can use to feel empowered. In addition to helping those with chronic illness and cancer, it can also be utilized by those who are healthy, and want to stay that way. Her protocal can actually help people learn to use their minds to heal their bodies before serious illnesses can take hold. For the skeptics, the science is all there and it's very compelling. For those already persuaded who want specific tools that they can use...they're here. The stories of real patients are inspiring and can give hope to people who need it and hope is very powerful.

Brenda Stockdale's book is a treasure chest for individuals who believe that taking personal responsibility for their health enhances the outcome. At this time the majority of Americans believe that our healthcare is totally in the hands of others--physicians, pharmaceutical companies, other health care professionals and to some extent the government or insurance companies. This book is for those who believe the best healthcare comes from a partnership of the individual and health professionals.
Whether your primary concern is cancer, autoimmune disorders, cardio vascular disease, or many other health issues, this book can guide your path back to optimum wellness.
Brenda's adult life has been dedicated to the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), starting when she was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 21. The diagnosis was later revised to Scleroderma, then Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This led her to become a clinical assistant to the national PNI program, Getting Well. Through this program and others that followed she has witnessed first-hand how certain attitudes and behaviors alter or heal physical problems. As a lifelong scholar and practitioner, along with physicians and other professionals, she has synthesized the growing body of knowledge about the multiple factors that relate to mind-body wellness.
The skills, behaviors, and methods she has taught others to use are well documented. In this book she shares with the reader what she has taught and seen work. The Resource Guide in the book lists over 60 books written by well credentialed MD's, PhD's, and other well qualified professionals. The notes that follow each chapter have over 300 references to studies, research findings and other data that support what she has advocated to groups, individuals and now in this book.
Many people believe only in the "hard science" that comes from doing double blind studies. Ironically they acknowledge the "placebo effect" that the medical science statisticians must consider, yet still believe that the mind is not a major factor in our wellness. Over the years, from the Old and New Testament of the Bible forward there have been writings that connect the mind to physical health. ("A Joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22") Over time there has been a smattering of writings that relate to psychoneuroimmunology. Research and writing on this subject are increasing at an accelerating pace.
Brenda Stockdale's book is a great addition to this growing list of professional evidence that our mind (our thinking, emotions, habit patterns and life style,) is the major factor in maintaining or restoring optimum wellness. It is an excellent resource for anyone who believes that good healthcare starts with individual responsibility for one's health.

YOU CAN BEAT THE ODDS describes a skillfully crafted six week process for enhancing the potential to heal oneself through the understanding and use of the mind-body connection. The effectiveness of each technique used in the six week process is well documented with research findings.

For years my friends, former colleagues, and I have read the authors who have theorized in the realm of mind-body healing; there is now available to the public in YOU CAN BEAT THE ODDS an effective process to use to put some of that theory into practice.

There is a Resouce Guide as part of the book which is flush with opportunities to expand support and knowledge beyond the book itself. In addition an author's web-site link is given. (That web site has free downloads which support facets of the book, links to other resources, and an opportunity to subscribe to a free related newsletter.)

Overall, there is an abundance of information and resources artfully presented!

This book has the potential to have a profound impact on our ability to understand and bring about human healing and could be a catalyst for positive growth and development in this field.
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The original review was posted in December. On February 8th, several months later, some editing seems necessary; some points have come to the surface that beg for expression.

After reading YOU CAN BEAT THE ODDS, I believed the content was critally important and gave more than a dozen books to friends or acquaintenances. For the most part the motivation that prompted me was actually explosive excitement about the implications in the book related to DISEASE PREVENTION.

Using the techniques described in the book could impact a person with no apparent health issues by equipping the body for endurance, enhancing one's quality of life, and preventing the manifestation of disease. All of those amazing benefits can be accomplished by using the included, completely natural methods that are free. No toxins have to be ingested, the techniques are very portable, and they are predictable based on research findings.

In my mind that's a first class deal for the cost of one book!!!

This book is a treasure. Anyone who has an incurable condition or is genetically predisposed to certain health issues, should read this book that doesn't make a lot of empty promises and backs up the recommendations with solid research.

In her workshops, Stockdale works with patients who have been diagnosed with a variety of conditions, many if not most are terminal. And she has the courage to share stories that end in wonderful miracles but also a few that end as we all do-in death. It is this balance of hope and honesty that makes Stockdale's book superior to many that offer a panacea rather than reality.

Stockdale's information is also deeply rooted in research and, after a quick skim of the footnotes, it is obvious that the resources she references are reliable, well-respected within the medical and psychological community. Unlike some other books, she is not framing her promises in self-serving resources. Instead, she is relentless in not only seeking out the best but putting it together in a manner that makes it meaningful.

Her website gives just a hint of how much information she compresses in these pages. Different modalities are used to address different diagnoses. Meditation, writing, music, and more are all offered as a way of looking at the reality of a situation and choosing to live with it while also reframing it. Too often people are told that their thoughts or feelings are responsible for things and commanded to simply stop thinking certain ways, further victimizing those who are already facing often frightening and seemingly insurmountable challenges. The author doesn't ignore the truth that how we feel about things can affect recovery but she offers solid advice, practical and applicable, to lead the way to doing the utmost to heal.

Anyone who is living under the cloud of genetics, knowing that a parent has a condition that can be handed down to future generations, will find suggestions to help live above and beyond what may or may not be inevitable. For those who are facing a diagnosis of a condition that is incurable and/or debilitating, the same ideas and principles can offer an improved quality of life. At the end of the book, Stockdale shares a story in which her step-son suggested a new title for her book: Stop Living Like You're Already Dead: The Inspiring 6-Week Program That Helps You Liven Up.

This is definitely a book that shouldn't be judged by its title or cover or anything else because there is so much contained inside and no single image or title could possibly do it all justice. I'm not even sure this review is adequate.

My job to survey the many complex, mind-body relationships was rendered much easier by the important contribution of Stockdale (2009) review of resources and biblio-graphic references that complemented a very interesting, easy-to-read, vignette-chock-full account that combined humor and joy with serious scholarship in dealing with such severe disease as cancer. This book would be valuable to laypersons and well as to serious professionals in search of research-based information that is also fun to read. Luciano L'Abate, Ph.D., ABEPP, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Georgia State University

Positive thinking is something that gets stereotyped as "Pollyanna" and ridiculed.
Brenda Stockdale tells what it means to be truly a positive thinker in a way that boosts immune system functioning and makes warding off disease more likely, even cancer, even metastasized cancer.
The book is filled with research that's been ongoing since the '50's that demonstates over and over how important mental attitude is in combating and curing disease. There are some amazing and inspiring anecdotes that tell of individuals triumphing over even incurable cancer.
But it's not just remarkable research and stories. Brenda offers practical techniques to achieve stressless positive thinking and so provide potent weapons in the fight against illness. One important technique is fighting stress through belly breathing. Brenda suggests helpful aids that show when you are stressed: bio dots and small thermometers. Cold hands are one clue that stress is occurring; belly breathing actually drives stress down. You can tell as you breathe because your hands become warmer.
I was fortunate to be able to attend Brenda's seminar offered by my radiotherapy clinic, and bought her book so I'd not forget what I learned. It's the kind of book that can't be read in a few sittings, because it's dense with information. Check out Brenda's website: [...].

"You Can Beat the Odds" is a must read for those that want a new direction in taking control of their own health! Everyday practical tips, information on how to live with a positive attitude, creating a soothing work environment (to get you through those stressful moments!) - these are just a few of the insights you'll receive from Brenda Stockdale and her research/studies in positive thinking!

Her real life cases are engaging and her simple strategies for life style changes/improvement are easy to understand - especially for those with no medical background! As the manager of a busy office, I will definitely be using many of her techniques and suggestions!

I have never before read a book that did so much to change my life. As a pancreatic cancer survivor, I have already lived more than a year longer than anyone thought I would at diagnosis. I give credit to a lot of people and tools, and this book is absolutely one of the top 3 reasons I still live and feel good. BUT it is also an excellent reference for anyone who wants to remain healthy, attain peace, and live to the fullest. Much of the content concerns the relationship between the mind, body and spirit, but beyond that, it reveals a surprising amount of scientific research that has now proved many things that 30 years ago would have been considered hippie ju-ju, especially by the medical community. Now, medical science is not only proving, but starting to believe and use this research in saving, and extending lives. The ideas are exciting and the science that is now solidly behind them is most validating. After a stunning and frightening diagnosis, heavy drugs, depression and chemotherapy, it took me a while to focus on finishing the book, but I couldn't stop. I'm now on my second reading (going much faster, thank you). It is always by my side and is dog-eared and highlighted within an inch of its life. I've bought several copies for friends and family and recommended it to others extensively. I WON'T lend mine out! It is an important reference for me and I can't let it out of my sight. The book includes a 6-week program of very simple, but powerful "exercises," starting with breathing lessons and visualization. Read it! Keep it! If I can live and feel healthy enough to spend a week running around in New York City, after having been led to believe I'd only live for 2 months, then I guarantee it will do wonderful things for you.

As I started reading "You Can Beat The Odds" my heart began to pound with excitement! A dear friend of mine (that is battling pancreatic cancer)calls it her "Bible," and I can see why. What amazing, amazing concepts! We are walking pharmacies! This book opens up a whole freaking Home Depot of tools that we possess NATURALLY within ourselves! AND IT'S ALL FREE STUFF! This is truly mind-blowing! To have the tools is awesome in and of itself, but this delightfully articulate and savvy author (she shares her own personal experiences with chronic illness) tells HOW to use these natural tools AND she offers undeniable proof along with a treasure chest full of case studies, references, and guides! I am floored! I am sooo pumped! Probably gets better on the 2nd or however many reads. This book will make you smile (witty author!). It will make you gasp with wonder. It will make your heart soar with renewed hope and inspiration to beat the odds! I am HOOKED and so will YOU be! It was recommended to me and I'm paying it forward! By the way, my friend is beating the odds, she's doing FANTASTIC, and I'm so proud of her! : )