Living Well with Cancer: A Nurse Tells You Everything You Need to Know

With the increased usage of potent cytotoxic chemotherapies, oncologists can now provide meaningful increases in lifespan for patients with cancer instead of just providing supportive care. However, with the focus on outcome rather than quality of life, much of the wisdom for improving patient comfort and preventing (rather than treating) complications has not been instilled in this generation of medical caregivers. This is an extremely important book because it captures this knowledge and presents it in a way that is empowering for patients and family alike. I'm a scientist, so my family always calls me when they don't understand what they hear from their doctors. However, when they got the information that my father-in-law was dying of NHL, I could answer the questions of what NHL is, how the treatments are supposed to work, and what are the risk factors, but not the questions about what anyone could do for him. I live far from my family, but bought several copies of this book and sent them to relatives near where my father-in-law was being treated. It really helped the family to understand what he was going through and what to expect during his treatment. I really believe that it helped them talk with eachother and to come up with things that they could do to make him more comfortable. At a time when we all felt helpless, this really helped us find things that we could do.

This book is the still the only one that is so easy to read, direct and completely reassuring. It just helps to have a place to look up the symptoms and be able to gauge how bad it is and when to call the oncology nurse. It tells the reader the words to use to describe the problem when making the call so that the problem is heard! A big plus is the discussion with every symptom of non-conventional remedies.This book is for anyone with any cancer and even their friends and family to explain what is going on and what to do.This book is a must have for every survivor!

This is a truly wonderful book. It alphabetically lists every effect & side effect of cancer and cancer treatments, and gives in depth suggestions on how to deal with these effects. It discusses the medical point of view, and goes all the way to holistic ways, and natural herbal remedies. I found that reading this book from cover to cover gave me a fantastic overview about what I could expect to see my Mom go through as she struggled with cancer, and it enabled me to help her with good suggesstions to increase her comfort and appetite. If you don't want to be clueless, you'll probably like this book.

My father passed away two years ago after a ten year battle with cancer. While he did receive excellent care during his time in the hospital, he was later moved to a nursing home. Again, the care was adequate, but with such a vast number of residents, there was little time for hand-holding or explanation of what to expect as the disease worsened. While the doctor explained the disease, treatment and possible side effects of treatment, very vaguely I might add, there was little information given on what to expect in the years or months remaining, other than he would be kept "as comfortable as possible." Trying to pin down answers from doctors whose case loads were already stretched far beyond the limit was like trying to catch a feather in a wind storm. I began to wonder how many others were left in this same position. While this book is not the most extensive one written on the subject, it is a good place to start. It is written in a straight-forward manner by an author who is well qualified in her field. With cancer, it is difficult for the lay person to know and understand what to expect, what symptoms are caused from the cancer itself and what symptoms are caused from the side-effects of treatment and medication. Cancer is not an illness which affects only the patient, it is equally as devastating for the family, particularly when the prognosis is "terminal." "Living with Cancer" answers many questions and concerns expressed by both patient and family. The emotional and physical changes are like taking a ride, blindfolded, on the world's largest roller coaster. You cannot see what is ahead, nor do you know when the highs and lows will hit, and there are generally far more lows than highs - suddenly, in a split second, they hit with relentless force. "Living with Cancer" covers topics from initial diagnosis, medical/natural treatments and side effects to hospice care and living wills. It is a good basic book, but I do wish the topics had been expanded upon in greater detail.

The title is inspiring. I am undergoing my first up close and personal cancer experience, as one of my best friends is undergoing chemotherapy. I am desperate for someone to tell me that she will indeed live well again. This book helped to set my mind at ease. It is easy for a layperson, ignorant about cancer and it's treatments, to understand. I am encouraged by their approach that cancer is a treatable condition, compared to diabetes, that you can live with. If you are receptive to alternative medicines used in conjunction with conventional methods, this book offers a lot of good suggestions. If you frown on alternative medicines, the book is not for you. I was also reading it to see if it was worthy of passing on to my girlfriend. I will do that, along with some gifts suggested to help her through this time - lavendar scented bubble bath, wash and lotions (for relaxation), a beginner's yoga video (for exercise and stress relief) and a terry turban (she complains the wig is uncomfortable).