 | | |
| Five Lessons I Didn't Learn From Breast Cancer (And One Big One I Did) | 
 enlarge | List Price: $14.00
Buy New: $6.29
You Save: $7.71 (55%)
Buy New/Used from $4.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 10 reviews)
Sales Rank: 39495
Category: Book
Author: Shelley Lewis
Publisher: NAL Trade
Studio: NAL Trade
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
Label: NAL Trade
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7
ISBN: 045122390X
Dewey Decimal Number: 362.196994490092
EAN: 9780451223906
ASIN: 045122390X
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
An irreverent, funny, compassionate look at what having breast cancer means?and what it doesn?t.
From the pink ribbons to the websites that sell related accessories and stuffed animals, breast cancer has morphed from a disease to an experience. And at every step of the way, society tells women that this experience can teach them profound lessons and maybe even give them a peek at the meaning of life.
But what if it doesn?t?
Before Shelley Lewis got breast cancer she was a smart, edgy network producer. After the long month of treatment ended, she was still a smart, edgy network producer. The cancer was gone but in its place there was no epiphany, no new perspective on life. Lewis found that for herself and other women, breast cancer was many things, but it was not necessarily an opportunity for self-improvement. It didn?t teach them lessons, but surviving it did draw on hard-won life lessons they?d already learned.
A wonderful interweaving of the author?s personal story, interviews with breast cancer survivors, and a sharp-eyed journalist?s look at the breast cancer ?community,? this book is full of unconventional wisdom, unexpected advice, and hilarious observations about life inside the pink bubble.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
Refreshingly Honest and Unsentimental! Brava, Shelley Lewis! September 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Last year, my husband was diagnosed with an incurable cancer at just 35 years of age. As we went through this devastating ordeal, the last thing we wanted to read about was how we should be having some great epiphany. I can assure you that cancer is not the best thing that ever happened to our family, nor did it make us better people. I often felt guilty for the sort of resentment I felt towards the cancer hype portrayed in the media. That is, until I read Ms. Lewis' book and discovered that I wasn't the only one with this reaction. How liberating to read thoughts, which mirrored my own, within those pages!
When I first found this book on Amazon, I read the synopsis and excerpts to my husband. We were both in tears from hysterical laughter! I anxiously awaited the book and immediately dove into the pages when it arrived. I read most of it aloud to my husband, who laughed along with me, giving us a much needed therapeutic break. As my husband and I further discussed excerpts, I learned details about his perspective, about which I had never thought. I was able to see I had unknowingly been insensitive in certain instances. This book served as a wonderful catalyst for discussion.
Ms. Lewis states her case clearly and adeptly. The writing is exceptional, and the read is easy and light. As a writer myself, this book served as a wonderful source of inspiration. It certainly tops my list of favorites!
I want to thank Ms. Lewis for having the guts to be honest about this very sensitive topic. There is an immense amount of pressure on patients, "survivors", and caregivers to "sugar-coat" the realities of cancer. In my opinion, her candid approach is much more therapeutic and helpful in the end. I encourage anyone going through a cancer experience to read this book. It is a valuable resource for patients, caregivers, family, and friends.
Funny, Smart, yet Compassionate August 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Is it possible to be this sardonic and compassionate at the same time?
Shelley Lewis opens the windows in the stuffy room of bumper sticker spirituality. Funny and caring in a Nora Ephron way and yet full of useful info. I read it as a story, not as a way to face breast cancer, and I recommend it to doctors and patients. You don't have to have breast cancer to enjoy this book. Another book I recommend to anyone facing a "devastating diagnosis" is Jessie Gruman's Aftershock.
Thanks Shelly! August 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Thanks you Shelly for letting me know that I am not alone!
I am in the middle of my chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer and I WAS feeling lousy for not finding the "silver lining" and not experiencing the upliftling life changing moment I was supposed to get from having cancer.
She really gave me alot to think about, namely that its ok to have my own experience and it's ok if it really sucks.
Thanks for writing this book Shelly!
The best breast cancer book I have read June 25, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Being a 3 time breast cancer repeat offender, this book rang more true than any of the others I have read. I was beginning to feel guilty about not having a spiritual experience until I read this book. Also I was getting quite peeved about "the race" because they don't interview people with multiple occurences. They only show happy, happy, happy faces of those with 1 occurence. What are we, chopped liver?
This book has made me rethink my advice to first time offenders. It is certainly the most honest book I have read about this awful disease. I highly recommend it to any breast cancer patient or family member of patient.
Not just for breast cancer patients June 4, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Part memoir, part how-to book, "The Five Lessons I Didn't Learn from Breast Cancer" has universal appeal for all sorts of cancers, even the "non-female" kind like my non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Though there are plenty of how-to tips for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, I enjoyed this book because of Lewis' take on the "Tyranny of Positive Thinking" and the pinkapalooza cartel. I respect her choice not to call herself a "survivor," though I wonder if it's really because, as she says, Death wasn't at her door, but rather sent her a "Thinking of You Card." (For me, Death had pulled into the driveway and parked the car.) Never whiny and often downright funny, this book is a must-read for anyone who has been sucker punched by cancer.
|
|
|
Included with most items on sale are editorial reviews and customer reviews | | |
