Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors

This book is a "must read" for anyone who has a family history of breast cancer, is currently undergoing treatment for it, is a survivor, or is close to anyone who has breast cancer or has survived it. Breast cancer, while predominantly a "female disease" does strike men (it also strikes transgendered individuals, especially those on female hormone regimens). The need for a book with a title like "uplift" becomes apparent when we stop and think about the place of the female breast in modern culture. Mass media and many aspects of our culture fixate on breasts in such a way that many women feel defined by their breasts. Consequently, breast loss can have a profoundly diminishing effect on a woman's self image. In some locations, the emphasis on breasts has become extreme. I live in Kansas City, which is second only to Hollywood for the number of breast augmentations done per year (both in actual numbers and per capita). In the late 1990s (while in KS), I had a girlfriend who was so striking that my buddies referred to her as "that goddess." But she didn't see her incredible beauty. She agonized over the fact she was small-breasted (an A cup). Not only was she beautiful, she was intelligent, articulate, and entertaining. If you had a list of the 1,000 most desirable characteristics a woman could have, you could check off one after the other in her case. Despite her looks, brains, and personality, she was immensely insecure. She even chewed her nails down to the quick. The problem, in my opinion, was she succumbed to false comparisons that left her feeling she was somehow deficient because she wasn't carrying around huge levels of silicone, saline, or adipose tissue on her chest. One time, she asked, "What do you see in me?" I was so stunned by the question, and so incapable of knowing even where to begin, that I couldn't reply quickly. She took this as confirmation that she wasn't "woman enough" and said so. That's about on par with saying Lance Armstrong isn't "biker enough." Yet, this idea dominated her self-image. She typifies what many women go through, even without breast cancer. Imagine the feelings after losing a breast or two. How could this woman, with so much going for her, become emotionally impoverished over what is basically a minor cosmetic attribute? Especially when, only a few generations ago, women in America bound their breasts in an effort to hide them? That's a good question. It's one to think about. In the meantime, think about how devastating it must be for most women to lose a breast or both breasts. That is one of the many issues facing women with breast cancer. Men with breast cancer don't face that particular issue, but they share all of the other breast cancer issues with their female counterparts (including, for most men, the loss of hair). Of course hearing "You have cancer" is devastating to anyone. While cure rates today for most cancers are high (if the cancer is caught early), we still think of it as "the

When a woman hears the words, "You have breast cancer" the next thing that should happen is that someone hands her a copy of this book. I bought this beautifully inspirational book as soon as I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before I ever started learning about the disease or the treatments I needed to hear from women who had survived, and that is what this book is all about. My first question when I was diagnosed was "Am I going to die?" UPLIFT was the best medicine for me in the early days of diagnosis. I read every page within two days of my diagnosis, and only then was I able to face the challenge ahead of me. The stories of strength and courage infused me with a passion and energy to survive at a time when all I could see was darkness. This book is priceless. If you buy one inspirational book about dealing with breast cancer, make sure this is it, whether it's for yourself or for someone you know who has just been told, "It's malignant."

As an oncology nurse I am constantly looking for resources that will be helpful to my patients. I came across this book and read it in my spare time...WOW! This book has it all. When my patients say that they have seen so much on this subject and aren't sure what to read we give them this book. It's chapters are short, sweet and to the point. Exactly what my patients ask for. The practical suggestions and advice has been tested by our patients and they swear by this book, both as a resource and as an encouraging lift. These are the things that only other survivors know about. I am so glad it's out there.

Known for her strong dramas and her incredible publication rate, Barbara Delinsky has written her best work ever with this uplifting work of nonfiction. UPLIFT: SECRETS FROM THE SISTERHOOD OF BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS is a lot more than just a self-help guide though that is a major part of the book. Ms. Delinsky and friends provides "secrets that their respective doctors and others never told them about in their personal fight with breast cancer, a disease that played on the psyche of most of the participants. In the case of Ms. Delinsky she also had the haunting memory of her mom's death from this potential killer.Part angst, part strategy, part belonging (an open invitation to join this courageous survivor's club) the book is loaded with anecdotal tales from survivors of the war. The optimistic tips will buoy the individual ready to do battle on how to take control of one's life instead of the physician, well meaning family members, or the illness running the show. Delinsky and the other veterans earn purple hearts as they furbish a triumphant uplifting inspirational tale that gives hope not just to breast cancer victims, but anyone facing the horrors of a devastating potentially deadly disease.Harriet Klausner

If you have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, get this book. It has hundreds of tips and suggestions from those who have been through it. These are the things that your doctors can't tell you about, because few of them have actually experienced it. Author Barbara Delinsky invited breast cancer survivors to share their best tips and stories. Some of them are quite funny, but you'd have to be "one of the sisterhood" to understand. I first checked it out from the library, but decided I had to have my own copy. I will refer to it frequently during this next year, when I am under treatment for early-stage BC.