Hope Is Contagious (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Margit Esser Porter was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34, the advice of a Colorado river guide floated to mind: "Take an active participation in your own survival." Drawing on the experiences of others who survived the anxious days and months that follow a positive lab report, Esser offers up their words of faith, hope, rage, fear, and counsel. One woman was told by a well-meaning male friend that breast cancer was the best kind of cancer to get. "I should have replied that prostate cancer was the best kind for a woman to get, but I was too blown away to respond," she says. Another woman, dealing with chemotherapy, wryly notes: "Everyone tells me to try to keep a positive attitude. Is that supposed to help me or them? I'm taking poison! Let's reality test, please!" Many suggestions--some obvious, others inventive--and a good assortment of resources round out the book.

Product Description

Margit Esser Porter sent out questionnaires to hundreds of women who have been through treatment for breast cancer, asking them what personal advice they'd give a woman just receiving that diagnosis. Their responses, collected in this book, range from how to tie a turban and what to eat while undergoing chemotherapy to finding time for yourself and reaching out for love. Including statements from Sandra Day O'Connor, Julia Child, Linda Ellerbee, and Fran Visco; a glossary of important terms; and a resource section, Hope Is Contagious offers wisdom, hope, and inspiration from friends who've been there.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; 1 edition (October 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684842181
• ISBN-13: 978-0684842189
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,275,147 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breast cancer survivors share thoughts, tips., August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This handbook almost does fit your hand. Easy to slip in a purse, its unpretentious, unsentimental, and yet quite comforting. Breast cancer survivor, Margit Porter has put together a collection of tips and reassurances from others who have been down her road. They range in age from 29 to 86, but are weighted on the young side (Porter herself was 35 when diagnosed). Many of their quotes are succinct lessons in how to tell it like it is without being discouraging. E.g.

"I was on CMF. It made everything taste metallic, so I ate with plastic utensils."

"Chemotherapy is not a picnic...but it is survivable. I had inflammatory breast cancer, underwent an autologous bone marrow transplant, and I'm still here. Remember what your goal is."

"There is no sensation in my reconstructed breast, so sexually I feel nothing when it is touched. I do, however, feel sexier having both of my breasts."

There a list of resources in the back and good illustrations of scarf and turban tying.

Will appeal to: Any woman facing breast cancer treatment. Younger women may resonate especially to the many age-peers represented in the book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for those newly diagnosed, October 24, 2001

By	L. Runkle (Cedar Rapids, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This small book can fit in your pocket and give helpful advice at any time. The advice from survivors of breast cancer is organized by topic. Each piece of advice gives the name of the survivor (usually just the first name), her age at the date the book was published, and the date of her diagnosis. Just seeing women who had been diagnosed 30 years ago was heartening.

The advice itself is very practical and useful, and goes over the items that woment had undergone. A worthwhile book. After I read it, I passed it along to a friend who was also undergoing chemo - we both found it immensely cheering.

5.0 out of 5 stars a great resource, May 30, 2009

By	Cynthia Berling - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book for anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer or knows someone who has. Experiences, tips, and suggestions are given by those who have already experienced breast cancer and survived. Useful sources of wigs and bras are given as well as instructions on how to tie a turban/shawl. Very, very useful and uplifting. I have bought and given away at least six copies.