Dirty Bombshell: From Thyroid Cancer Back to Fabulous!

by Lorna J. Brunelle

A treasured read. I learned, laughed, and cried. I will pass on this remarkable resource. - Dawn Eger Rizzo, Thyroid Cancer Survivor Unflappable, witty, honest, and inspirational describe Lorna's exploration of her journey. As a survivor of kidney cancer, I was awed, captivated, and encouraged by the positive nature of Lorna's personal philosophy. - Marsha E. Bergquist, Cancer Survivor Having suffered much loss from this disease, Lorna's narrative about dealing with thyroid cancer is not only filled with useful and practical information, but was cathartic for my own repressed emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I healed. - Ellie Osborne Lorna has the innate gift of bringing light, laughter, and hope while sharing her journey with readers. I was pulled in by her honesty and even laughed out loud at times. - Linda Joy, Publisher Main dirty bomb-shell noun 2005: a former bombshell beauty fighting thyroid cancer in the Nuclear Medicine Department of a hospital about to ingest a purple radioactive radiation pill that will make her a contagious toxic human dirty bomb. Dirty Bombshell is the poignant and brave story of a 33 year old girl who is fighting her way back to wellness. Her triumphant story sheds light on a cancer most Americans are in the dark about. This story of faith, forgiveness, strength, hope, courage, tolerance, and self-discovery will change the way you tackle hardship, leaving you with the power to survive and thrive. Dirty Bombshell will help you find your way back to FABULOUS! As an actor, singer, writer, producer, and teacher, Lorna J. Brunelle has always had a passion for the arts. A tireless volunteer, with an indelible commitment to bring positive change, she is dedicated to a range of causes.

Genres: Memoir

340 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2010

Reviews

[Aimie]

I read more than 100 pages to give it a chance, but I just could not handle reading anymore of her whining and negative attitude.
Gee Whizz... did she sook!
Before anyone complains that she is going through cancer she is allowed to be upset, make sure you read the book first. I actually had a go at someone who also posted a bad review when I had just started this and was only a couple of pages in. I have now apologised for my outburst.
I have been through Thyroid Cancer myself and bought this to feel connected to someone else going through the same thing to see how they coped etc. I now wish I didn't, she was awful. For example her roof collapsed in a storm a few nights before her operation and she totally flipped, was such a Evil itch beginning with B, to her husband..
In my journey I rolled my car on the way to my Fine Needle Biopsy, totally writing off the car and had to wait upside down strapped in my seat, for the nice lady in the car behind me to help me undo my seat Belt.... (Thank you Kim, if you ever read this I wish I got your address or phone number so I could thank you properly) I was grateful I came out without a scratch. I didn't think the world had turned against me like the author of this book did. Shit Happens, Get over it. LOL.

The book may get better but I'm not reading anymore to find out.

[Dimitria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate the essence of this book, but the author was exceedingly narcissistic regarding her personal accomplishments and the relationships she has. I expected more patient insight in a book of this nature. Oh, and her utterly whiny attitude was off-putting to say the least.

[Blts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing good about cancer but this book is good if you or a family member is facing thyroid cancer. Be warned, while the authors life is busy and cancer isn't fun for anyone, she didn't have to face it while taking care of kids which might make some perceive it as a little whiny.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer and someone in the thyca support group recommended this book to me. It has helped to read Lorna's humorous but honest take on her journey through thyroid cancer and its treatment. Parts of this book actually made me feel overwhelmed because Lorna doesn't have any children and she spent a significant amount of time talking about being hypo and how tired she was, how she couldn't function, etc. I realize everyone's experiences will be different even if their treatments are the same, especially with the different lives they lead - hopefully my journey will not be exactly like hers because not being able to function with 4 kids is not an option for me.

[Jayne Hollensbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a thyroid cancer survivor, I can appreciate what the author went through from her diagnosis to her treatment and beyond. She is speaking about a cancer few are aware of and the treatment that follows and makes us what journalists have called "walking dirty bombs." She is expressing the oppressive feelings that our endos and surgeons cause us to live through. So many call this the "easy cancer" or the "happily-ever after cancer" and it is not and Lorna gets that point through. And while she does it without children, it makes it all the more real for us that have--I have three and have battled this cancer TWICE.

[Alysia · Rating 2 out of 5]

About halfway through the book, I had almost decided to abandon it...and not just because of the massive amounts of typos throughout. As a thyroid cancer survivor myself, I was hoping to read a story filled with hope and strength. Instead, I found the author to be whiny and unbearably narcissistic. After the halfway point, however, I was pleased to see that her attitude and outlook had turned a corner. There were many things I could relate to as I compared her journey to mine. So for that reason, I increased my rating from one star to two.

[Lorri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the humor throughout this book. I had never thought about thyroid cancer before, but have a pretty good understanding now what someone with it has to go through to recover. Along with this personal story is pictures of Lorna and resources to find out more or to help in some way, making it not only interesting to read by useful. It's definitely worth reading! Lorna will also be on a new reality tv series, Wicked Fit on STYLE Network, beginning on October 23, 2011 at 9/8c.

[Nicole Keedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were quite a few typos in this. (It bothered me that family members "protested" their love for their grandfather rather than "professed" their love for him.) It was kind of hard for me to relate to all the trips she was able to take during her recovery (sure wish I could've gone to Key West and a spa to relax after having surgery!) but still an inspiring story about how she "worked the C" and went on to make a positive impact in her community after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't express enough how thankful I am for Lorna to have shared her experience, as a thyroid cancer survivor I wish I could have all of my family, friends and colleagues read this book to better understand what I went through. She is very funny and has an amazing story to share.

[Melissa Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for someone just diagnosed, in treatment, post surgery or anyone who just wants a great story. Wish I had this when I was first diagnosed. Thyroid cancer is when off the fastest growing cancers in the area I live in. This is a great book.

[Raving Redcoat · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting little book. While Brunelle often comes off a bit full of herself, her story is useful as a window into the ups and downs faced by people who deal with that dreaded diagnosis. Well worth reading.

[ShanLandis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my review at:

http://www.shannonsbookbag.blogspot.c...