Breast Cancer Journal: A Century of Petals

I read this book years ago when an acquaintance was going through a hard struggle with breast cancer. This year, after my girlfriend was diagnosed with lung cancer, I read it again. Two different cancers, but the same beautiful book, which I find measured, comprehensive and full of quiet inspiration. Wittman doesn't write around the topic. She's in a life-and-death struggle, but keeps a level head about it, even a bit of humor. She's never insistent. She doesn't tell the reader what to do, but presents, in simple, pane-of-glass prose, the wide range of therapies she herself pursued in the battle against her cancer. She follows standard medical treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, but also explores meditation, changes in diet, visualization and the use of Chinese herbs. Once nominated for the National Book Award, Breast Cancer Journal is a graceful portrait of a harrowing disease, and of one woman's fight against it. As I read it a second time, and shared it with my girlfriend, I appreciated how well it has stood up over time.

Juliet's book is one of the best out there dealing with the real issues of breast cancer. It made me laugh and made me cry, but most of all, it made me love the author. Her story is told in a very special way. You must read this one! You won't be sorry!!!!