Renewal Finding your path to self-healing in cancer [Hardcover]

Claude V. DeShazo M.D. (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Renewal tells true stories of men and women in a cancer support group who choose to influence their fate. Its practical advice for people with cancer and their families: (1)Guides healing regardless of diagnosis or treatment, (2)Deals with person-disease interplay and how to work with your physicians, (3)Explains self help tools to improve health and well being. Despite sophisticated treatment and medical attention many people with cancer feel they have been given a death sentence. There is a choice, there is another path for you to choose. The quickest way to finding a new path is to meet people who already have traveled it. Such an alternate path helps a person decide what their journey of discovery will be. This book advocates personal renewal through education, self-determination, persistence, and mutual support. The cancer support group that named itself Renewal began weekly meetings in 1982. Those in the group speak through personal stories and want to share their experiences with you. Renewal includes stories from workers in specialized fields who share their knowledge as their gift. It contains stories of physicians when they become sick and a chapter of opinions and conclusions from medical experts working in this field. Another chapter tells how the physician founder grew in his awareness to the point of writing this book. Members in the Renewal group make statements such as, My gift from cancer was finding out how strong I am, and, I learned the value of living and the value of dying, and, The specialist came in the first visit and said, 'I presume you are here because you want to live.' I realized the doctors would only do the surgeries and give the drugs. I had to decide if I wanted to live. A cancer surgeon who recently read Renewal praised it as, ...a substantial contribution and has opened my mind...all people treating cancer should read it. Another surgeon comment said, A wonderful book...truly inspiring...I am in awe...I could easily write an essay on what I learned and experienced reading your masterpiece.

About the Author

Claude DeShazo, M.D. founded the cancer support group Renewal in 1982 and conducted its weekly meetings in the years following. He has spoken and written on health related issues including self help, cancer, death and dying and aging for over 35 years. He is a board-certified general surgeon who devoted much of his clinical career to cancer surgery and care of cancer patients. During this period he served twice as Medical Director of a free-standing hospice in his community. Dr. DeShazo is certified by the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Physician Executives. He is a certified Physician Executive who spent six years as Chief Executive of a large community-based physician organization. He was Senior Partner of a surgical group in private practice for over 20 years and elected both Chief of Surgery and Chief of the Medical Staff at his community medical center. He also has been Chief Executive of several start up companies in the field of Information Technology working to improve internet-based patient physician communication. Early in his career Dr. DeShazo served as a battalion surgeon with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. He spent two years in basic immunology research at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. After fulfilling requirements for surgical specialization he took further specialty training in organ transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He served as Chief of Transplantation at two medical schools prior to starting his clinic and going into private practice. Dr. DeShazo has six grown children and ten grandchildren. He and his wife of 36 years, Maureen, divide their time in retirement between Southern California and Washington State.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 302 pages
• Publisher: Pacific Institute Publishing; 1st Edition edition (June 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930622163
• ISBN-13: 978-1930622166
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,849,154 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Contains rare and valuable insights, July 24, 2009

By	John Barnett - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Renewal Finding your path to self-healing in cancer (Hardcover)

I read this book from the point of view of a cancer survivor. I completely agree with the two earlier reviews.
But what is also interesting to me, and hard to find elsewhere, is the two-page opinions and advice of doctors who specialize in cancer treatment. Normally, one would have to read their whole books to glean this information. Also, it is insightful to read the stories of doctors who, themselves, incurred cancer and their reactions and therapies. I have read many books about cancer. This book is unique. I gave copies to family and friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars RENEWAL, A Profound Message...., July 23, 2009

By	Bettye H. Galloway - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Renewal Finding your path to self-healing in cancer (Hardcover)

RENEWAL, a first-class book dealing with cancer, is a timely message for those who have cancer, for those who have a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with cancer, or for the lay person who may face this diagnosis in the future. It is a profound message that provides a greater understanding from a medical, nutritional, physical, emotional, and psychological standpoint and defines the value of friendship and group support. RENEWAL is well written and a delivers a message that should not be ignored.



Bettye H. Galloway
Executive Vice President (Ret.)
ElSohly Laboratories, Incorporated

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Healing, July 22, 2009

By	Maisha Cobb (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Renewal Finding your path to self-healing in cancer (Hardcover)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is living with cancer or has a family member/friend who is living with the diagnosis. The book is not a panacea but instead a very insightful guide to a deeper healing, especially at an emotional level. It is encouraging, heartfelt, spiritual and honest. I am so impressed that I have given it to a few friends/family members.