I interupt this bloggy giveaway heaven for this important book review:It wasn't an easy decision to review this book. I watched a close friend go through breast cancer several years ago, and both of my mom's sisters have gone through it, one has survived it twice and one is going through it now. I am very thankful to have only been acquainted with survivors of the disease. Because my aunt is going through it now, I decided to review the book.
I Am Not My Breast Cancer by Ruth Peltason is published by HarperCollins. It is a compilation of over 800 women talking openly about love and sex, hair loss and weight gain, mothers and daughters, and being a woman with breast cancer.
When my friend Julie went through it I don't think I realized how isolating it could be. I did what I could to be there for her, but I know it wasn't enough. I brought her home made bread after chemo because it was one of the few things that she could get down and it made her feel good, like it had healing properties. But I didn't know. I wasn't a part of the club that is breast cancer.
I was struck by how isolated breast cancer can make you feel. The fears that come with it and the life-long dreams that die even when you survive can't even be imagined. Should you have more children? What if my husband is repulsed by me now? But breast cancer does not define who you are, and it shouldn't!
These women are brave, and I admire them. I highly recommend this book if you are going through breast cancer so you won't feel isolated, or if you have someone close going through it so that you can understand some of what they are feeling.
You can read the original comments made by the women at First Person Plural.
About the Author:
Ruth Peltason runs Bespoke Books, a small book producing company that specializes in books on the cultural arts, including Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry, Kate Spade's Occasions, Style, and Manners. I Am Not My Breast Cancer grew out of the author's passion to wed her skills as a book editor and her own experiences with breast cancer. She was previously senior editor, director of design and style books with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, and lives in New York City.
2 people think my kids are qtpies:
Sounds like a good book. I remember my sister, Patty being very upset about losing her hair. After all she'd already been through, she thought it was silly to be so upset about her hair. She also wondered if her husband would still find her attractive.
I told her it was like the song "Forever and Ever, Amen", and that he'd love her anyway...to which she started bawling all over again.
If he and the kids could have her back today, I'm sure they'd take her with or without hair...in a heartbeat. I miss my Sis!
oh, that is sad what the TOL wrote...she gave me chills.
Good review, my friend. I am finally off to bed to sleep a few hours...it is 1:28 a.m.
*hugs*
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