Read any good (cancer) books lately?

Hissy_Fitz
Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
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
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Comments

  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #2
    Good Books
    Crazy, Sexy, Cancer Tips by Kris Carr
  • kathryn1
    kathryn1 Member Posts: 88 Member
    #3
    cancer book
    I read "Cancer, Schmancer" by Fran Dresher. She had uterine cancer.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    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. :-)
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #5
    I wonder if the red chemo referred to is Doxil. I am on Doxil now an it is a diluted red color.
  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    #6
    here's another
    When God and Cancer Meet, by Lynn Eib
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #7
    nancy591 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
    It's Adriamycin, and it is bright red......looks like Cherry Kool Aid.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #8
    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.

    kathleen
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #9
    Book
    "Hear My Cry" by Tish Hagee Tucker

    My sister in law sent me this book. She had a rare form of cancer with two toddler girls.

    Good book.

    Libby ♥
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #10
    either way I win
    this book was given to me by a friend because I always said I am in win win situation. :-)
  • BetsyD
    BetsyD Member Posts: 5
    #11
    BonnieR said:

    either way I win
    this book was given to me by a friend because I always said I am in win win situation. :-)

    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.
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #12
    BetsyD 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.

    Good Book
    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.

    Sharon
  • Margaret Caroline 1985
    Margaret Caroline 1985 Member Posts: 17
    #13
    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. MC
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #14
    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!
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #15
    groundeffect 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!

    no 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.
  • catcan
    catcan Member Posts: 119
    #16
    nancy591 said:

    I wonder if the red chemo referred to is Doxil. I am on Doxil now an it is a diluted red color.

    that thought just went through my head after having the Doxil yesterday
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #17
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #18
    Fran di Giacamo
    "I'd rather do Chemo than clean out the garage"

    A Humorous Take on a serious subject, and a gift from a dear friend.
  • janetr12
    janetr12 Member Posts: 1
    #19
    Love Story
    "What Faith and Love Can Do", by Dan Cole. Husband and wife going through cancer treatment at the same time, supporting each other.
  • Kgirl
    Kgirl Member Posts: 45
    #20
    nancy591 said:

    I wonder if the red chemo referred to is Doxil. I am on Doxil now an it is a diluted red color.

    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!

    Kathy
  • naomilansing
    naomilansing Member Posts: 11
    #21
    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.

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