Read any good (cancer) books lately?
Hissy_Fitz
Member Posts: 1,834
I recently read The Red Devil - To Hell With Cancer and Back - by Katherine Russell Rich. Although she had breast cancer, and her diagnosis was about 20 years ago, she has had numerous recurrances and still has a lot in common with all cancer patients. The name of the book, Red Devil, comes from one of her chemo drugs. It's Kool Aid red, and I see it often in the infusion room. In the breast cancer community, they call it "the red devil".
Katherine was very young when her cancer was first discovered (by her) and was dismissed by her doctor for a long time as "it's probably nothing". He even had the nerve to tell her, "Come by my office if you're really worried. I'll feel your breasts anytime you want me to." What a jerk!
Some of her chemo drugs were the same ones our doctors have pulled from their bag of tricks. And, of course, she experienced many of the same symptoms.
That she is still alive, still working, and still dealing with cancer is an amazing tribute to the power of strong-willed women everywhere.
Carlene
Katherine was very young when her cancer was first discovered (by her) and was dismissed by her doctor for a long time as "it's probably nothing". He even had the nerve to tell her, "Come by my office if you're really worried. I'll feel your breasts anytime you want me to." What a jerk!
Some of her chemo drugs were the same ones our doctors have pulled from their bag of tricks. And, of course, she experienced many of the same symptoms.
That she is still alive, still working, and still dealing with cancer is an amazing tribute to the power of strong-willed women everywhere.
Carlene
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Comments
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Not lately...but
I have not read any cancer books lately but did read two of Mitch Albums books again, Have a little faith and One more Day, one based on a true story and one fictional but sure felt real. Love his books he also wrote Tuesday's with Mory and Five People you meet in heaven. :-)0 -
It's Adriamycin, and it isnancy591 said:I wonder if the red chemo referred to is Doxil. I am on Doxil now an it is a diluted red color.
It's Adriamycin, and it is bright red......looks like Cherry Kool Aid.0 -
Books
I was very inspired by It's NOT About The Bike by Lance Armstrong. There are a lot of bike stories, but it talks about his fight with cancer.
I also read Anticancer, A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber. It is written by a doctor who gets brain cancer. He has many interesting ideas, and although I didn't agree with everything, was encouraging overall.
I also have Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer and have read a lot of it. I love the sense of humor she has!
I also read same kind of different as me. It is not mainly a book about cancer, but I found the timing to be good for me in processing a lot of feelings relating to cancer.
kathleen0 -
The China StudyBonnieR said:either way I win
this book was given to me by a friend because I always said I am in win win situation. :-)
This book is about a study done comparing diet to cancer growth, among other things. After reading it, my husband and I are changing our eating habits to eliminate animal protein. Yes, we are becoming vegetarians and I can tell you it is a lot of work. But after reading the findings of these studies, I'm convinced that it is worth the effort. Wish us luck.0 -
Good BookBetsyD said:The China Study
This book is about a study done comparing diet to cancer growth, among other things. After reading it, my husband and I are changing our eating habits to eliminate animal protein. Yes, we are becoming vegetarians and I can tell you it is a lot of work. But after reading the findings of these studies, I'm convinced that it is worth the effort. Wish us luck.
Another good book you may want to check out is a book given to me by my oncologists' physician assistant.
The book is called "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips" by Kris Carr.
This book is excellent reading because Kris in a manner so refreshingly beautiful has written this book in a way that you want to find what's next in her journey.
But my point is, she too addresses the point of animal proteins being acidic and inflammatory to the body and she stresses veggies, veggies, veggies!!!
Nevertheless it's good reading, informative and full of stories from others with cancers and how they too made the choice to make the best of their life with cancer.
Good Luck.
Sharon0 -
Book
Another good book is "The Light Within" by Lois M. Ramondetta,M.D. & Deborah Rose Sills. Dr. Ramondetta is at M.D. Anderson Hospital & Deborah Sills an ovarian cancer patient at M.D.Anderson Hospital. How they met & the friendship that formed during treatment. Haven't seen anything from you for awhile. Hope you are doing well. MC0 -
Gilda's Disease
I've read "Gilda's Disease" by Dr. Steven Piver and Gene Wilder a number of times since I was diagnosed. I think it has some of the best explanations of staging and treatments that I've seen, basic and not too complicated. It's getting a little dated now, but I still keep a copy to refer to, and have a copy to lend. I think one thing that bugged me is that when I first read it (probably 2003), I was having the same chemo protocol that was described as "the gold standard" - carboplatin and taxol. The book was published in 1996. I think this is why we need more research done on this disease-I don't know how long carboplatin and taxol have been being used, and I suppose they're the best available for now, but it would be refreshing to see a real breakthrough for NEW treatments!0 -
no new treatmentsgroundeffect said:Gilda's Disease
I've read "Gilda's Disease" by Dr. Steven Piver and Gene Wilder a number of times since I was diagnosed. I think it has some of the best explanations of staging and treatments that I've seen, basic and not too complicated. It's getting a little dated now, but I still keep a copy to refer to, and have a copy to lend. I think one thing that bugged me is that when I first read it (probably 2003), I was having the same chemo protocol that was described as "the gold standard" - carboplatin and taxol. The book was published in 1996. I think this is why we need more research done on this disease-I don't know how long carboplatin and taxol have been being used, and I suppose they're the best available for now, but it would be refreshing to see a real breakthrough for NEW treatments!
My oncologist told me at my initial visit that not much has really changed in the past decade. I found that shocking. But yes, we are recv'ng the same treatments that were given years ago. There was one significant study done in Japan that came out in Jan. 10. It was a phase 3 clinical trial with a dose dense taxol given weekly...I think it was Taxol. I can find the link if you are interested. I thought I'd ask my oncologist about it if my current regimen of Doxil doesn't work or stops working.0 -
Doxil and adriomycin are in the same family of drugs. Both are cardiotoxic. Something to consider if using doxil after treatment for a previous breast cancer. My doctor is being very cautious in using doxil for this reason. I am taking a reduced dose and she is taking extra care to make sure I do not develop congestive heart failure. I have enough to deal with without adding it to the list!nancy591 said:I wonder if the red chemo referred to is Doxil. I am on Doxil now an it is a diluted red color.
Kathy0 -
read some of 'crazy, sexy cancer tips' but had to return it to the library! it's been checked out for a long time, which makes me both sad and less lonely feeling.
also, 'everything changes: the insider's guide to cancer in your 20s and 30s.' helped so so much! tons of great resources inside, too. comforting and useful? yes please.0
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