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A must read for fellow patients who will learn that a diagnosis of cancer is not a - GERALDINE FERRARO Cancer Survivor and Candidate for Vice-President of the United States of America |
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236 Pages ISBN 1-928623-24-7 Published 2005 |
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Based on the journal Betsy kept during her illness, this beautifully written book is a goldmine of insight into the experience of illness and the process of recovery. Both humorously and compassionately, Betsy reveals the impact that cancer had on her husband, her family, her friends, and her own self-identity. With unflinching honesty, she shares intimate glimpses into her struggle with mortality and the steps she took to emerge whole from the struggle.
Patients will find comfort, inspiration and hope as well as valuable suggestions about how to build their own survival techniques, how to cope with the myriad of emotions following a cancer diagnosis, how to recover emotionally when treatment has ended, and how to enhance their relationship with their medical teams.
Betsy’s husband also shares his own feelings of helplessness and loneliness, and caregivers will discover how he managed to support her in a way that ultimately strengthened their marriage. Other family members and friends will learn why cancer patients sometimes say and do quirky things, and all will glean indispensable tips on supporting patients in ways that make a difference.
Betsy’s thorough examination of the role that her extraordinary medical team played in both her illness and recovery will teach medical professionals that their words and actions can heal in ways that no medicine can.
For all who are touched by life-threatening illness, this enthralling narrative will hold your attention from beginning to end and remind you that the human spirit has the extraordinary capacity to convert adversity into strength.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Diagnosed with lymphoma in January 2002, Betsy de Parry subsequently underwent two kinds of chemotherapy which deprived her of her hair, sent her to the hospital with numerous complications and helped her to forget what day it was, but failed to stop the disease. Nine months after diagnosis, she was rescued by a new, targeted treatment called radioimmunotherapy, and she remains in complete remission.
Betsy lives and works with her husband Alex in Ann Arbor, Michigan where they have a homebuilding company.
She has recently spoken about her experience at Dana Farber, Barbara Karmanos Cancer Institute, The Oncology Nursing Society in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Palm Beach, Florida, and The Michigan Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
If your group would like Betsy to speak, please contact her at betsy@lymphomabook.com.
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