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Me and the Ugly C
She never thought it would happen to her.
But it did.
At the age of thirty-five, Becky Dennington was diagnosed with non-invasive and invasive ductal carcinoma. Breast cancer. In an instant, her life changed all because of a single word she couldn’t even bring herself to say out loud. The ugly C word.
Share in the journey of one young woman’s fight against breast cancer, the sacrifices a family makes, the heartbreak cancer leaves in its path, and the joy found along the way.
But it did.
At the age of thirty-five, Becky Dennington was diagnosed with non-invasive and invasive ductal carcinoma. Breast cancer. In an instant, her life changed all because of a single word she couldn’t even bring herself to say out loud. The ugly C word.
Share in the journey of one young woman’s fight against breast cancer, the sacrifices a family makes, the heartbreak cancer leaves in its path, and the joy found along the way.
Nook
First published October 3, 2011
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173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 2, 2012
This book is about a woman finding out she has breast cancer and the ordeal she goes thru to fight the cancer. I felt where she was coming from even though I personally havent experience the big C. I know people that have and most of them dont talk about the downside of the chemo and the wild emotions they feel. Thanks Becky, I felt like a true friend walking with you thru your journey.
October 18, 2012
Becky Dennington’s book, Me and the Ugly C, sat around for a couple of months before I overcame second thoughts about the subject matter, but once I opened the cover, she had me by the eyeballs and heartstrings from the first paragraph. If she can write with this much humor about such a difficult topic, I thought, this is a book I want to read, a woman I want to know.
Although the book begins with a blast of irreverent humor, it is not primarily a humorous book. While Dennington has a gift for balancing a healthy ability to laugh at her own faux paux and awkwardness (there is plenty of both), she doesn’t flinch from zooming in on the tough stuff. She frequently mentions that certain material was hard to write, for example, “I've been waiting for a good day to write because I'd rather paint a pretty picture. But that's not the real story. The real story is the chemo makes me so tired and yet I can only sleep so much.” I felt I could trust her to tell it like she lived it, not a dressed up version to make herself look more heroic.
Her faith is an inherent part of her identity and her healing journey. The book is strong testimony, yet she discusses faith as matter-of-factly as visits to the doctor, with no apparent conversion agenda. I salute her for that.
While nobody ever has a “light case of cancer,” Dennington’s was relatively simple. It was caught at stage 1, and she required only a lumpectomy. As she repeatedly pointed out, she saw people at the chemo and radiation centers who were “far worse off.” Her husband was almost heroically supportive and understanding in every conceivable way, a model of empathy and compassion, and her life is full of friends and neighbors who support her at every turn. While not everyone may experience this same level of support, it’s encouraging and inspiring to read about the possibility.
One aspect of the book that I found especially fascinating were numerous incidents where people where trading stories, in person or over the Internet. The blog she began to help herself sort things out while updating friends and family brought her into contact with numerous helpful people and eventually inspired a friend to help her find a publisher to convert the blog to a book. If anyone doubts the power of story, read this book.
Read the book anyway. Her resilient attitude and ability to find an optimistic outlook are contagious. You’ll laugh, cry with both happiness and sadness, and learn dozens of details about the cancer patient process, both mentally and physically. Given the currently likelihood that you or a loved one will be diagnosed with some form of cancer at some point, you’ll be better prepared for having this background information.
This review was originally published at StoryCircleBookReviews
Although the book begins with a blast of irreverent humor, it is not primarily a humorous book. While Dennington has a gift for balancing a healthy ability to laugh at her own faux paux and awkwardness (there is plenty of both), she doesn’t flinch from zooming in on the tough stuff. She frequently mentions that certain material was hard to write, for example, “I've been waiting for a good day to write because I'd rather paint a pretty picture. But that's not the real story. The real story is the chemo makes me so tired and yet I can only sleep so much.” I felt I could trust her to tell it like she lived it, not a dressed up version to make herself look more heroic.
Her faith is an inherent part of her identity and her healing journey. The book is strong testimony, yet she discusses faith as matter-of-factly as visits to the doctor, with no apparent conversion agenda. I salute her for that.
While nobody ever has a “light case of cancer,” Dennington’s was relatively simple. It was caught at stage 1, and she required only a lumpectomy. As she repeatedly pointed out, she saw people at the chemo and radiation centers who were “far worse off.” Her husband was almost heroically supportive and understanding in every conceivable way, a model of empathy and compassion, and her life is full of friends and neighbors who support her at every turn. While not everyone may experience this same level of support, it’s encouraging and inspiring to read about the possibility.
One aspect of the book that I found especially fascinating were numerous incidents where people where trading stories, in person or over the Internet. The blog she began to help herself sort things out while updating friends and family brought her into contact with numerous helpful people and eventually inspired a friend to help her find a publisher to convert the blog to a book. If anyone doubts the power of story, read this book.
Read the book anyway. Her resilient attitude and ability to find an optimistic outlook are contagious. You’ll laugh, cry with both happiness and sadness, and learn dozens of details about the cancer patient process, both mentally and physically. Given the currently likelihood that you or a loved one will be diagnosed with some form of cancer at some point, you’ll be better prepared for having this background information.
This review was originally published at StoryCircleBookReviews
September 8, 2013
Someone very close to me is going through this experience right now and I wanted to get more perspective on it. I admire Becky Dennington's unwavering faith that God would see her through the ugly C and to the other side, healed and renewed. In the process, she learned a great deal about herself and that life itself is a gift, that every day is a holiday. I appreciated the humor in this book, and laughed out loud numerous times. It was as if Becky Dennington and I were having a girlfriends conversation and she was just 'bein' real' about everything. I am grateful she chose to share her journey with us.
December 25, 2015
As I'm sure you can tell about the title of this book, it is about a 35-year-old wife and mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is her story that began as a blog and reads pretty much as one, although sometimes I felt like I was reading her journal.
She knows she's very blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, children, parents, and a small town that helps them through this journey because although she knows she is the one with cancer, she knows they are all fighting it.
She knows she's very blessed to have a loving, supportive husband, children, parents, and a small town that helps them through this journey because although she knows she is the one with cancer, she knows they are all fighting it.
November 11, 2015
So difficult to read but glad I finally finished. After crying while reading the beginning at the gym, I set it down for almost a year and then finally picked it up and finished it today. The author writes as she goes through her battle with breast cancer. She is funny and honest. There was more talk about God than I am used to but it was a big part of her journey and, for that reason, I am glad she included it. I feel honored that she shared her journey and I was able to read about it.
November 25, 2013
I CANT IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT IT MUST BE TO FACE THIS MONSTER, NON THE LESS WRITE ABOUT SUCH A PERSONAL JOURNEY! IT IS EYE OPENING AND TAUGHT ME MANY THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW. THIS WAS A COURAGEOUS DECISION TO WRITE AND SHARE SUCH DETAILED INSIGHT FOR EVERYONE. BECKY DENNINGTON THANK YOU FOR BEING SO BRAVE AND DETERMINED TO BEAT THE UGLY C AND TO SURVIVE IT!
February 12, 2012
Lulls a bit in the middle where the author seems to backtrack to the beginning of the whole ordeal. However, this book underscores that this woman has a wonderful family, and is indeed an uplifting memoir.
February 28, 2012
This book takes the reader on a journey through breast cancer. She describes things very vividly and also peppers her story with a good sense of humor. It gave me a better understanding of what people with breast cancer go through.
January 10, 2013
A touching story of a woman winning her fight with breast cancer and of her husband helping her make it through the battle. The writing was basic and cheesy at times, but underneath there is an inspiring message.
July 26, 2012
Very emotional book to read, but also quick.
The flashback to the beginning of her diagnosis didn't have to come in the middle to end of her story. But from what I understand, she published her blog into a book and that's probably why it was not edited back to the beginning.
The flashback to the beginning of her diagnosis didn't have to come in the middle to end of her story. But from what I understand, she published her blog into a book and that's probably why it was not edited back to the beginning.
October 10, 2012
A candid true life story if a courageous woman's fight with breast cancer. And her victory.
Well written and seriously if you don't fall head over heals over her wonderful compassionate husband, I don't know what's wrong with you.
Loved the book, loved the inspiration.
February 6, 2012
This was a quick read. It was allright. Not the greatest memoir I've ever read, but it had its moments.
March 25, 2012
This is such an amazing story about such a REAL thing that happens. Thank you for sharing your journey. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
May 8, 2012
What an amazing story! I have friends and relatives that have fought the ugly c, and this offers insight into the battles they fought.
May 25, 2012
A very honest look at a woman and her struggles through cancer. She takes us along the journey of her family, friends, and self. An emotional read.
July 7, 2012
An extremely frank look at the process of cancer treatment. I could really feel for her, especially the chapters about how exposed she felt.
February 17, 2013
Quick read...interesting view into the experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment by someone close in age...
January 28, 2016
A beautiful book by a beautiful woman!
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February 29, 2016Good memoir of a woman who beat breast cancer.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews