Joy Is a Plum Colored Acrobat: 45 Life-Affirming Visualizations for Breast Cancer Treatment and Recovery

One of the most wonderful books I have ever read. I inadvertently found this book in the self-help section of the Park Slope Barnes & Noble. I'm not a victim of breast cancer directly, yet I've known friends who have passed and others who survive Stage 5. I found the life affirming, visualization techniques to be instrumental in my own healing processes. I return to this simple, beautiful and eloquent book, when I need hope and peace. Its a very lovely expression and testimony of Wendy's courage and strength; honest, inspiring and genuine.

A beautifully written book--inspiring in the author's poetic application of a positive attitude and inner strength.

Library Journal With the approach of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we see a spate of publications designed to help women learn to cope with and conquer breast cancer through information and awareness. And with good reason. Deaths from breast cancer have remained constant over the last few years--though they're still at a high of 40,000. Yet the number of new cases has risen steadily, with 216,000 predicted for 2004 (up from 184,000 in 2000). Is the increase in documented diagnoses owing to the disease's virulence or society's new vigilance? Whichever holds true, breast cancer remains a threat to women's lives and psyches. These books will let women face those challenges and take control. Burton, a publishing industry veteran, eschewed the traditional combative imagery (becoming warriors, killing cells, doing battle) in favor of more colorful and celebratory visualizations to ease her journey through breast cancer. This tiny book will bring comfort to patients who believe that life-affirming will help overcome life-threatening. For all consumer health collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

As a psychotherapist, I was thrilled to come upon this book. I have recommended it to my patients who have breast cancer. It contains such powerful tools! Being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to cope with treatment and all its ramifications is overwhelming. Nothing in life prepares us to deal with getting this diagnosis. Burton's book provides a road map for coping on a daily basis. It gives the breast cancer patient visualizations that takes her mind away from the problem and starts an emotional healing process. For those patients who are not familiar with visualization or relaxation techniques, this book introduces an important coping mechanism that actually has been shown (NIH studies) to boost the immune system of cancer patients. The book can be read all at once or a little bit at at time. My patients report constantly referring to it through their treatment and calling upon favorite images at other times in their recovery. I highly recommend this book for everyone with breast cancer and for survivors. Sharon Kern-Taub, LCSW, BCD

This book got me through my breast cancer treatment. It was truly a lifeline. Just at the moment that i thought i couldn't cope this book really gave me a way. I continue to use some of these images when life is difficult. I highly recommend this book!