Just Get Me Through This!: The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer (Paperback)

by Deborah A. Cohen (Author), M.D., Robert M. Gelfand (Author)
Key Phrases: ending treatment, wig fitter, survival mark, Managing Treatments, The Diagnosis, Getting Back (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
It's hard to believe that a breast cancer guide can be fun, but breast cancer survivor Cohen and oncologist Gelfand have produced a book that combines medical information with the kind of warm, funny, rueful sharing a woman gets from a good talk with her girlfriends. The authors understand that surviving an illness as emotionally and physically traumatic as breast cancer requires help not only with big issues but also with apparently trivial ones. In between solid and well-summarized discussions on diagnostic, treatment and reconstruction options, they share a plethora of tips on the smaller but still difficult problems faced by disease victims, such as finding the right post-chemo headgear (silk slides off a bald skull, so cotton is better). They prepare readers for everything from insensitive remarks (when Cohen told one acquaintance she was starting chemotherapy that day, he replied, "So I guess you're not available for lunch") and hormonal swings to insurance problems. The tone is upbeat but realistic, sympathetic but never patronizing; "Rules of the Road" sections directed to friends and family give them advice on how to offer useful support. This wise, balanced book is a welcome addition to a woman's medical care library, offering not just warm, intelligent hand-holding for breast cancer victims but also useful insights for anyone with a friend or family member suffering from this frightening disease. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Having someone to talk with who has been there can make that mind-numbing diagnosis of breast cancer somewhat bearable. Even a stranger from a support group or the friend of a friend can reassure you just because she knows what you're going through. Cohen, a breast cancer survivor, has chosen to be that confidante and information source. She outlines every step of the process from diagnosis to posttreatment in a way that is congenial, honest, wry, and straight-from-the-hip. Books by physicians (e.g., John Link's The Breast Cancer Survival Manual, LJ 3/1/98, which is frequently referenced here) have excellent information, but Cohen's friend-in-need approach offers a unique and welcome perspective. In addition, oncologist Gelfand steps in where more technical discussions and definitions are required. As Cohen gives the real skinny on options, chemotherapy (eat Fudgsicals to minimize or eliminate mouth sores), radiation (grow your own aloe plant for relief of skin irritation), relationships, workplace issues, and aftercare, she considers "Rules of the Road" for family and friends to help them know what to do and say during a loved one's ordeal. This is a wonderful book; all patient health collections should have several copies.
-Bette-Lee Fox, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Rev Upd edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758202911
• ISBN-13: 978-0758202918
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,819 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A must read for any woman", May 5, 2000

By	kathleen shannon (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Get Me Through This! : The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer (Paperback)

I recently completed Deborah A. Cohen's book about breast cancer, and I was blown away. Ms. Cohen has made a very important contribution to the woman's health field while fighting her own battle with breast cancer. I thought the tone of the book was non-threatening and engaging, and the content helpful, interesting, and enpowering. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who has breast cancer, has a family member or friend with breast cancer, or simply wants to better understand the breast cancer experience.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring book for those of us fighting the battle, June 16, 2003

By A Customer

I've found this book to be very helpful during a very miserable and sad period. It's been a few years since my treatment, but I find myself referring back to the book every now and then for advice. To the reviewer who gave the book a rating of 2 stars and said the book wasn't helpful to her because she has in situ carcinoma, let me suggest that she read a more appropriate book for her condition. For those of us you have invasive cancer and who undergo treatments such as mastectomy, radiation and sadly chemotherapy, this book has been very helpful. Don't discount the valuable advice in this book. For those of us fighting the real battle, this book is excellent.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only for early stage breast cancer, June 11, 2004

By	Candyce Kamphaus (Bensalem, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wish I had realized this really was for early stage breast cancer. At one point she even says if the two groups and said that if you were of the early stage you would be reading this. She often talks of the good survival rate in early stages. As I have a large aggressive tumor I do not fit into this category and therefore would not have purchased this book. In fact reading this at first made me worried and scared.

A Breast Cancer Journey by ACS was much more helpful.

I did give it two stars because if you do have early stage it does have some value.