And in Health: A Guide for Couples Facing Cancer Together

by Dan Shapiro

Winner of a 2014 National Book Award (Gold Medal) from the Independent Book Sellers of America.

Here are engaging and digestible lessons for couples navigating the life changes brought about by a cancer diagnosis. Dan Shapiro draws on his more than twenty-five years of clinical work as a health psychologist who has researched and worked with couples facing cancer, and on his own experiences of being both the patient (having and beating Hodgkin's lymphoma in his twenties) and the supporter/advocate (when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer) to weave together insights on facing cancer while maintaining a strong relationship. And in Health gives advice in short lessons on the main areas of concern or conflict that can come from life with cancer--from diagnosis to treatment and life post-treatment.

Topics

   * How to forge yourselves into a powerful team and avoid common conflict points
   * Dealing with physicians and getting the best care possible, along with tips for navigating the medical world
   * Strategies for coping with the emotions that can interfere with your relationship--anger, mood swings, spouse fears, and depression
   * Distinguishing between supportive and draining people in your lives, and learning to invite and accept help
   * Opening to new types of intimacy and making peace with dependence

Genres: Nonfiction

249 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great book dealing with the changes you are about to face after receiving a cancer diagnosis for you or your spouse. Each chapter addresses topics of concern with terrific advice and insights. The book covers what you need to know immediately, how to navigate your relationship during the early challenges, how to deal with the medicine and medical teams, dealing with emotions, how to have a great relationship during treatment, how to work together to help get what you need from other people, how to deal with sex, managing closeness and dependence, and how to face end of life issues. Along with the great advice, there are stories sprinkled throughout the entire book from the authors experiences and other patients and spouses. These stories were wonderful and I was able to relate to so many of them. I recommend this book to anyone with a spouse that has been diagnosed or even if you have been diagnosed yourself.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I really could have used this three years ago at D's initial diagnosis, but I'll save this to pass on in the unfortunate chance someone else will need it.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book. And most of the book is applicable to any disease, not just cancer.