A  frank appraisal of this book  from a Cancer survivor.
588704
I enjoy reading this account of Suzanne's mysterious encounter with supposed Total Body Cancer and I commend her on the way she handled the entire episode. I have recommended the book to many colleagues and families of other folks who passed away after being treated in the convential way by mainstream oncologists who probably mean well but do terribledamage to their patients. Her advice is well taken as well as the accounts from the doctors and other specialists recommended.
224424
I read this book from the point of view of a cancer survivor. I completely agree with the two earlier reviews.
But what is also interesting to me, and hard to find elsewhere, is the two-page opinions and advice of doctors who specialize in cancer treatment. Normally, one would have to read their whole books to glean this information. Also, it is insightful to read the stories of doctors who, themselves, incurred cancer and their reactions and therapies. I have read many books about cancer. This book is unique. I gave copies to family and friends.
301089
You can see a person's whole life in the cancer they get.
----Haruki Murakami, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

Elizabeth Hein, an American writer, who herself being a cancer survivor, crafts an edgy and inspiring contemporary story about fighting cancer and making new friends on the road to fighting cancer, in her new book, How to Climb the Eiffel Tower .

Synopsis:
Lara Blaine believes that she can hide from her past by clinging to a rigid routine of work and exercise. She endures her self-imposed isolation until a cancer diagnosis cracks her hard exterior. Laras journey through cancer treatment should be the worst year of her life. Instead, it is the year that she learns how to live. She befriends Jane, another cancer patient who teaches her how to be powerful even in the face of death. Accepting help from the people around her allows Lara to confront the past and discover that she is not alone in the world. With the support of her new friends, Lara gains the courage to love and embrace life. Like climbing the Eiffel Tower, the year Lara meets Jane is tough, painful, and totally worth it.

This is the story of Lara Blaine, who keeps herself isolated from her past demons (sexual abuse survivor) under the rigorous routine of work and exercise. Among her many exercise regime, one of them is "climbing the Eiffel Tower", since she is mortified to climb the actual tower. But soon, Lara is diagnosed with cervical cancer, and thus begins a new found journey to find herself, to trust someone, to overcome her fears and to make new friends like Jane, another cancer patient.

Footnote: This book is not at all sad and depressing compared to other cancer stories, instead this book is funny, light-hearted, layered with witty cynicism.

Firstly, being a fictional book, the accounts of a cancer patient like Lara are very much real and vivid, mostly because the author wrote it from her personal experience. But that doesn't make the book a wee bit of sad, moreover, the author addressed all the issues with enough sensitivity and compassion.

The characters are really striking, especially the protagonist, Lara who is strong and focused, but also lived a life in fear. She is a victim of sexual abuse from her step-father, though she managed to get away from the pain, but she lived in constant fear, by keeping herself away from the society, in short, she was suffering from trust issues. Moreover, when she wad diagnosed she was determined not to let anyone come and help her or even let anyone know about her illness. Jane happens to be the perfect companion on Lara's road to fighting cancer. Jane helps Lara to embrace her illness to fight her social issues, moreover, Jane's warmth makes Lara learn to trust once again. The author created this key character so beautifully that her sketch will remain etched onto our minds for a very long time. In fact, the Lee family sounds real and loving! Since the author have intricately crafted her characters thus slowing down the pace of the book, but that's not a bad thing, since it helped us to enrich our minds about the depth of the characters, especially Lara and her reasons to behave in such a strange way.

The narrative style of the author is light and clear and the prose is very free-flowing layered with funny antidotes and snarky comments, thus keeping us glued to the very heart of the story. It is not any thrilling story that will keep you on your edges, but Lara's journey on the road to not only fighting cancer but also rediscovering herself keeps us gripped till its very end.

All the accounts of Cancer are very much real and it is described with lots of love and patience and written in a way that will definitely bewitch our minds and hearts. I never though Cancer books can be this much witty and wonderful.

Verdict: A must read Cancer book that doesn't leave any tears on your eyes out of pain or sadness.
13101
I found this book to be extraordinarily helpful as I embark on this journey through cancer.  Kanta Bosniak's personal story written so honestly was inspiring.  Her style of combining journal entries and illustrations was inviting and positive.  The idea of cancer as a metaphor for a life challenge was an idea that was concrete.  Most importantly, her message about facing challenges, going through this time with the lense of spiritual and self growth, gave me a perspective of hope and courage.
1114907
Ensler has in a bit over 200 pages described the journey of cancer treatment and survival. She has also woven in her childhood sexual abuse and the horrendous treatment of women and girls in the Congo. She does so with candor and gallows humor. I am a nurse and a cancer orphan (lost both parents to cancer before 18). This book describes the journey better than any I have ever read.

This book is not for the faint if heart; Ensler does not hold back on her pain and the visceral details of her treatment. She discusses in detail how she coped and what tools allowed her to come through the tunnel alive. I would add that Ensler's fame and resources made this a far more privileged encounter than most patients experience. I think she would tell you that herself.

If you are interested in cancer or health care survival, this is a tremendous work in a small package. It is tremendously life affirming and occasionally very funny as well.
3120444
I am an avid reader, and so I don't use these words lightly.

This is a Very Good book.

This is not just a feel good (although it does), triumph over hardship (although he does) reflection causing (although I did) story.  I'm not a professional book reviewer or writer and so there is a great disconnect between how I fell and what I think about the book and how I can pen that here.

Kyle took his journey and gave me snapshot moments of world events that really put his timeline for his multi year battle, with both his cancer and heart transplant, into perspective. I was surprised at how many times I really laughed, (who knew nose hairs were so important?) and even more so by how many times I cried (upon seeing the faces of his parents after his transplant).  Not because the story is sad, because it is anything but sad, but because Kyle details his hope and courage and desire to win in such a way that for just a few pages, I was in that journey too.

I'll be buying more copies for friends who are Ironman atheletes, cancer surviors or patients and friends who just really appreciate a well written and told story.

OH, and I'll be watching for Kyle to finish in Kona!
2076727
This book is an excellent read for those going through breast cancer and anyone who has had or who may have a friend or family member who is going through cancer.  I've had several friends and family that have battled cancer in the last 20 years, some survived and some did not.  Though I haven't experienced cancer first-hand (and hope I never do) this book has given me insight into all the various aspects of the cancer battle.  I think I've learned from this book how to be more supportive and understanding towards anyone I might come in contact with who is undergoing cancer and it's treatments.  The book does this in the most informative, uplifting way imaginable.  You will cry and laugh with Suzan Rivers on her journey.  This is the first book of this kind that I can truly say I enjoyed every minute of reading!
2509412
While this is not a happy, feel good book, it is a must-read if you or a loved one are facing cancer.  It is full of good, practical advice both for the patient and family/friends.  It is evident that the author has lived the experiences she has written about, and speaks from that experience. It's also good for those who are facing any chronic or serious illness. It's truly very helpful.
4584700
Cancer Widow is a poignant memoir about a loved one's aggressive and horrific cancer treatment.  This is something that we all hope we never have to endure.  Lynn tells this very personal story baring her innermost thoughts both good and bad using language that gives the reader a clear mental picture of her experience.  I agree with the quote on the cover.  This book "should be read by anyone who loves another human being." It urged me to write my will and all advance directives that I have been putting off for at least a decade.  Thank you Lynn!
2111648
This firsthand account of going through the heart wrenching experience of family and personal cancers is a window into the world of being diagnosed with cancer.  This is a very thoughtful, honest, and intimate book.
3931790
I have had the pleasure of reading several books from brain tumor survivors and survivors of critical issues, and every time, I am encouraged by what I read. This book is no exception. I was enthralled to read about the author's own memories of his medical issues, and it reminded me of the resilience of the body as well as what is truly important in this life. I salute the author for being vulnerable and quite open about his own journey. This book truly has the power to encourage practically everyone who takes the time to peruse it.

I only have a couple minor criticisms, and they are only my personal opinion. I sincerely wish that the book would have been more organized. I sometimes struggled with the details of the book since they were not put in chronological order. I fully understand that the author's purpose probably did not support that kind of timeline, but I often struggle with books that jump around like this one did. My other criticism concerns his view of God. Now, I believe that everyone is entitled to his/her own beliefs concerning God, and I have no problem with someone stating their belief or non-belief in God. My concern is that he was so dogmatic about it. I believe that the author may have alienated some people by writing as he did, and I can assure you that people of faith would not feel terribly warm towards this book. I appreciate what the author was doing, but I wish that he had stated just a few things somewhat differently. There were no sex scenes, and profanity was minimal.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
3053744
This review is from: Coping with the Big C: Compassion: A Left-Brained Introvert Deals with Caring Family, Friends and, Oh Yeah, Cancer (Paperback)

The reason I am writing this review is that Jack and Colleen sent me a copy to review - and they did that because I am the author of a number of cancer books such as The Cancer Survivor's Bible

I agreed to read this book because I believe in the importance of the individual experience of cancer. From the moment cancer is diagnosed to the end of treatment and beyond truly is a journey. We are changed. Just as you forget you have a thumb until you hit it, you forget you have a life until it is seriously threatened. And Jack and Colleen make this a particularly interesting journey because it is a dialogue between the two of them. The journey is not the same journey for Colleen as it is for Jack - it may be his cancer, but he is her husband.

What comes out of the book for me is the strength of their relationship - rock solid, despite the enormous differences between them. But what is interesting is how they are aware of these differences and work with them, around them even through them.

And then, of course, there are the details of how the cancer is treated by their doctors. There is nothing about 'alternative therapies' or diets or any of that stuff. The doctors are the experts and Jack and Colleen are unquestioningly committed to this route - and at the end of the book Jack has just finished a gruelling course of radiotherapy. So the book ends on a note of hopefulness about the future - and I do hope that hopefulness is justified (just as I hope Jack doesn't just say: "Done that, Got the t-shirt" and go back to his sugary cereals and coca colas but does start to take an interest in diet and supplements and herbs)

What I particularly like about this book is how open Jack and Colleen are about their inner thoughts - so by the end of the book they are friends and we care about them.

This is a thoughtful, wry, funny and painful account of a year that Jack and Colleen will not want to revisit. Reading this book is very educative. This is a report from the front of a very personal war.
529154
Good Book on living with Prostate Cancer from an interesting perspective
435402
This is a book about what it is like to experience cancer and cancer treatments.

Pros
This is not another victory speech from the finish line by a cancer survivor.
The combination of humor, criticism of the medical system, and description of an emotional cancer experience make this text multidimensional, and a quick read.

Cons
There are few references to the time frame in which the events occurred causing events to run together.
Overall, The Boring Patient is an overview of one patient's experience with cancer, but it doesn't read like the typical cancer memoir.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3458253
I was given this book when I was diagnosed with cancer. I now give a copy to friends with the same fight.
1006473
I bought this for a friend of mine going through breast cancer treatment after reading the reviews on Amazon.  Since I do not have cancer, I can only imagine what my friend might be going through and often worry about saying the right thing and wanting to be there for her.  This is a great insight into what a person dealing with cancer may be going through.  I read it and thought it was great.  My friend read it and she said she could really relate to the author and it was comforting to read things the author went through that she also went through.  I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially anyone going through cancer treatment or with a loved one going through it.
2384953
I received this as a gift while going through my healing journey and in turn i have gifted to some one going through hers. It is poignant relevant and a source of great encouragement. When i did not want to look at another cancer book this showed up it took me a few weeks to open it and i was sorry i waited. If you and or someone you know is fighting a cancer battle do yourself and or a loved one a favor and get this book