Books

The Light Within is a true story of a friendship that evolved between a gynecologic oncologist and her ovarian cancer patient. One of the women in our support group recommends the book because it reaffirmed that her thoughts, actions, and feelings were normal for this disease. Another woman in our group comments: The book embodies the great hope that every woman must have, in the despair of her diagnosis, of finding a kindred spirit in her physician.

Diane Dennis has created a remarkable book based on her attendance at a gynecological cancer support group in Portland, OR for over a year. Most of the women in the group are ovarian cancer survivors. Diane shares not only the journey of some of these remarkable women but also the life lessons she learned along the way. It is a powerful story of facing our mortality as well as appreciating the gift of life.

This is a wonderful book for anyone in the position of assuming a caregiving role when a family member or friend is seriously ill. The authors wrote the book based on their own experience of caring for a terminally ill friend. They include guidelines, a how-to workbook section, and compassionate suggestions. One of our support group members in Portland, OR followed the book in caring for a dear friend---she was very impressed.

This book, written by a cancer survivor herself, helps us with things to say or not say and things to do or not do. The author gives us a patient's perspective about facing a life changing disease. It is a book we cancer survivors would like all our friends and family to read!

This comprehensive guide is an essential resource for ovarian cancer survivors. I wish I had this book when I was diagnosed. It covers many topics in a professional and compassionate manner. If you only buy one book, get this one!

This book is written by gynecologic oncologist, a gynecologic surgeon, and an ovarian cancer survivor. It provides both doctor’s and patient’s views. It is straightforward and very informative.

This book is written by two cancer survivors. They address the emotional and psychological issues that surface after the surgery and initial treatment: the loneliness, the uncertainty, fear of recurrence, the courage to live with fear, and the effect of survivor issues on our relationships with others. This book helped me make sense of some of my feelings after treatment.

Dr. Wendy Harpham is both a physician and cancer survivor. In this book she shares her personal and professional experience to help patients to make sound decisions as well as to deal with the shock of a cancer diagnosis.

In this book, Dr. Harpham, herself a cancer survivor, speaks to life after diagnosis, surgery, and initial treatment. Life after a cancer diagnosis is different. Dr. Harpham helps the survivor move on by addressing many issues, such as follow-up, coping with practicalities of living, relationships with family and friends. Excellent information and insights.

This book, the latest by Dr. Wendy Harpham, with a simple table of contents and detailed index, make this an easy to reach for resource as well as the more important role; a straight forward roadmap through the maze of choice and the paradox of hope after diagnosis to the fundamental truth that empowerment through knowledge can lead to becoming a healthy survivor, one who can truly find "Happiness In A Storm".

Annette Leal Mattern, who was treated for her ovarian cancer in Portland, has written this book about her experience with ovarian cancer and its recurrence. She offers tips on how to take charge of one’s own health care and how to let others help out. Annette is currently serving on the board of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Roseanne Kalick has written a wonderful book for survivors and those who love them. Very often, friends and family members don't know how to respond to the cancer diagnosis of a loved one. The author suggests ways to communicate with the cancer survivor and to show concern in a supportive manner. Cancer survivors will enjoy the book and will identify with comments made by well-meaning friends. The author writes with compassion, wisdom, and humor.

This book is the strong medicine we all need to get the best care from our cdoctors by being the best informed and most aggressive patients we can be. He encourages patients to ask more questions, even to change doctors if you don't like the one you have (or feel he/she does not like you). He advocates being an active participant in getting the help you need and choosing the treatments that benefit you on your terms. (Dr. Groopman is also the author of another wonderful book, The Anatomy of Hope)

A newly diagnosed cancer patient is overwhelmed and in shock, no matter what kind of cancer it is. How people closest to us react and try to encourage us can be either helpful or devastating. That's when we hand the spouse or friend this wonderful book to help educate our caregivers to talk more kindly to us. A person who is diagnosed at a stage of cancer that can only be controlled but not cured is not helped by, "You'll be fine, you're going to beat this!". Rather, hearing, "I love you, you're strong, and I'm with you all the way," is much better. The book helps us talk smarter to new friends who are also dealing with cancer.

This book is inspiring without being saccharine. CEO of the big accounting firm KPMG, happily married and a father, an avid golfer and a good friend, Gene resigned from his job when he got his brain cancer diagnosis and a projected three months to live. He spent his remaining days getting treatment, saying goodbye to friends and family, and writing this amazing book. His appreciation of the time he had left is moving and instructive.

OK — so you are past the diagnosis. You get treatment. You have read plenty of self-help books which detail how you can live a more balanced life, eat the right vegetables and fruits, reduce stress, take the vitamins and think positive thoughts. Now is the time for this book. You need to laugh. As we all know, we laugh to survive.

Miriam is a breast cancer survivor who created this graphic memoir which looks at every element of the cancer experience in cartoons. This isn’t another Wonder Woman Comic. Our heroine struggles with luck, nausea, compassion, anger, family, TV and sex — it is all here. She has a sardonic take on these items, sometime sarcastic, but always clear-eyed. Just reading this book made me feel like a better person because I had these thoughts, but never told anyone. Share this book with other like-minded survivors and it will prompt conversations you might never have had. Most of all, though, just laugh.

Dr. Harpham was diagnosed in 1990 at age 36 with non-Hodgkins lymphoma when her children were not yet two, four and six years of age. Her first recurrence happened about one year after her initial diagnosis and she went through six cancer treatments before her remission which has lasted since 1998. As an internist, survivor and parent of children who experienced their mother's cancer for much of their formative years, she has a unique perspective on how to communicate with one's own children about cancer.

When a Parent Has Cancer grew from postscripts Dr. Harpham developed to accompany a children's story she wrote with the help of her children called Becky and the Worry Cup (published in 1997). Written in bite-size chapters, Becky and the Worry Cup provides the stories which help prepare children for the changes cancer brings into their lives. It also helps parents discuss cancer while addressing their children's fears. It demonstrates that "children really can do something about the monster (cancer) in their home." Becky and the Worry Cup comes with each copy of When a Parent Has Cancer.

No one really prepares you to deal with cancer and each experience is different. However, the cancer experience happens to the whole family. You know that your doubts, fears and illness will have a pronounced ripple effect on those closest to you -- your family and children. As much as you'd like to protect them from the uncertainty of it all, Dr. Harpham makes a compelling argument for sharing the experience with your children - understanding that, depending upon his/her age, each child will experience your illness differently. And she encourages you to be kind to yourself in this process as "there is no right way to parent - so don't try to be perfect."

The three key points which provide the foundation for the book are simple, but not easy.
    1) Establish and maintain open communication
    2) Always tell the truth, couched in love and hopefulness
    3) Ensure that your children's basic needs are met

Dr. Harpham provides examples and stories which clearly demonstrate how to take her advice and turn it into actions, requests for help and into the language you need to talk with your kids. She helps parents deal with their own needs. She find the words that you are looking for and shapes them into articulate messages for the child who will hear them.

The reader can quite literally open this book to any chapter and receive sound and practical advice. The table of contents makes it possible to find exactly what you are looking for. From "Caring for your children through the crisis of a new diagnosis" to "Caring for the children when cancer recurs or becomes a chronic disease" to "Helping your children live with uncertainty and tame their fear of death", Dr. Harpham covers every possible situation you may face. I started on the chapter for teenagers - the age of my children - and found her advice "spot on" in communicating with them. I jumped around the book - reading Becky next, Dr. Harpham's own story, how to use the book (instructions), and finally read the book all the way through.

Key points are highlighted. Each chapter has a simple summary. She knows that cancer patients and care givers have limited attention or energy - so she highlights important parts for those who might just skim through it. I was given this book in my first few months with cancer and read parts of it, but was too overwhelmed to read it all. Now - one year later, I understand more fully the value of such a guide and find myself intentionally integrating her suggestions into my own future planning.

When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children is one of the most useful tools I have found for thinking through the cancer experience, planning and thoughtfully communicating with your children. Whether you are a cancer patient, or you are a family member or friend of a cancer patient, this is a must read if you want to be prepared to be both loving and truthful with children who face the effects of cancer in their family.