Customer Reviews

notes left behind; 135 days with Elena

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an amazing story. As a mother myselft, I have learned to cherish and hold my kids a little longer each day. Every moment counts. Every family needs to read this book.

I never knew Elena, but I have worked as a volunter and "buddy" with children with cancer, and specifically, the type of brainstem tumor Elena had, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), since I was seven years old. I am now 13. This is a beautiful book and, though heartbreakingly sad, a true legacy left by a little girl to the world she lived in. Elena is gone now, and the cure or even truly effective treatment for DIPG has not been found. Please support the efforts for a cure for this and all forms of childhood cancer in any way you can. This book is terrific but I wish it had never been written because that would mean that Elena was alive and well and a happy seven year old in Cincinnati, Ohio exactly the same age I was when I met and worked my first "buddy". I KNOW she would be fighting for the cure too!
Arabella Uhry

This is a very well written and said true story. I would recommend it to anyone. It is worth every penny for a very good cause.

This is NOT the book you want to buy,as it's the self published version and is no longer available. Go to Notes Left Behind by Brooke and Keith Desserich published by Wm.Morrow/Harper Collins. THAT's THE BOOK that's really amazing and the one that you need to purchase,.Notes Left Behind

This book was difficult to read. Not because it wasn't beautifully written (it was), but as the mother of a small child it is unimaginable to me that something like this could happen to an innocent child. This poor little girl in a matter of months lost everything, even her ability to swallow. How can a parent survive that, why should she suffer so? There's really no answer I guess. It makes me so sad and angry. I have so much admiration for this compassionate family, and I hope they find solace in the memories they have of Elena. To think at 6 years old she had the foresight to leave little love notes hidden around her parents house, to be found in the months after she died. What a beautiful, amazing child!

I'm a man in my upper 30's, combat veteran, and many say I'm "rough around the edges". That being the case, I discovered that Elena could turn me into a softy. The book takes you into Elena's life and the life of her family for an intimate experience that will leave you with an appreciation for how little time even the healthiest of people have on this planet and how we need to enjoy our loved ones' company and make the most of each day.

Elena's strength combined with her love has caused me to discover that I look up to, and have learned from, a sweet little 6 year old girl that I never met. She is a hero to me.

Notes Left Behind is a great read for a great cause. A very inspirational book about an amazing girl's battle with cancer.

This is an awesome book. I as a parent cannot imagine going through what this family has endured. A beautiful little girl becomes a inspiration and example for all of us, as do her parents. This book needs to be read, people need to know about DIPG - and reseach dollars need to be found for children's cancer.

I bought the book and Elena's notecards [...]. I accidentaly came across this story on a website and was drawn in. I knew when I bought the book, I would have a hard time reading it, as a parent myself. I ended up on the bathroom floor reading this and crying. The strength of these parents and sister Grace is remarkable. God Bless. Please, buy this book. Proceeds go to helping find a cure for the inoperable brain cancer that took Elena's life.

I couldn't imagine having a child with this disease. As a parent I don't think I would have the strength to endure. This girl, in her short time here, has left quite an example for the rest of us. Her parents gave her love and support until the very end. It rips from the pages their love for both of their children. I hope its true that "God has a special place in heaven for children". Stay strong and show love everyday to those that mean everything to you.