Chemo: Secrets to Thriving

by Roxanne Brown

The thought of chemotherapy can be overwhelming, but getting through it doesn’t have to be.
Chemo: Secrets to Thriving helps lighten the load. In chronological order, step-by- step, you learn what might occur, why it happens, what you can do (with your doc’s approval), and who to contact for help.


Chemo: Secrets to Thriving will be your friend, companion, and guide, giving you the resources to
handle possible side effects and better manage your life during chemotherapy. Once you know the secrets in this book you may find yourself still able to enjoy life—and even thrive—while going
through chemotherapy.


Our endorsements aren’t from the usual celebrities, but from our celebrities: medical teams,fellow chemo travelers, and the people and places that support them.

Genres: Health

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2011

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was finishing with my Iron Infusion Friday, March 16, in preparation for my new regime of Chemo due to the new diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma instead of the Non-Hodgkins I'd had previously four times, I noticed this little book laying on the counter at the nurses station. I jotted down the authors names, title,and publisher and came home to write to the publisher to request a review copy. Within days, my copy was here.
This little gem is the perfect companion for anyone going through Chemo or is getting ready to start this scary journey. This journey need not be scary if equipped with the proper tools and a positive attitude. This book has all the tools to help you get through this journey.
Since Roxanne has gone through all thed highs and lows, such as losing our hair, maybe getting nauseous, constipated, diahrrea, hiccups, burping,etc, this book has remedies for everything Chemo-related. There's even support groups and places to buy wigs, hats, turbans, scarves and even sleep covers for a cold bald head. I have been able to get wigs and hats at my Cancer Center that have been donated. There are lots of resources out there, as Roxanne mentions. This book should be with you whenever you go anywhere.
Also, if you like to blog, it's easy to set one up like I plan on doing. I've always wanted to have a personal blog aside from my book blog.
As Roxanne's Chemo friend Suzanne said. �The Koru symbol is KEY to the entire book. It offers hope, meaning, and something to strive for and understand as you take the step by step journey through Chemo, come out on the other side, and embrace the quest for new life, renewal, strength, love and more.�
My Chemo Nurse Nancy is related to Roxanne,by the way. Her son is married to her niece.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is that it is not the Internet. It summarizes several pieces of information you'll find online but concisely and without links. I honestly am starting to think fear and worry of chemo and cancer are directly proportional to length of time on the Internet. This book gives you enough information to prepare you. I wouldn't say you'll feel better about chemo for reading it (because it is going I suck) but preparation really helps too.

I think this book is good for the person going through it, of course. It is probably also helpful for the caregivers so they can be ready for what they will go through as a witness. Really anyone can read this because we will all meet people fighting cancer with chemo at some point and this book may make everyone more empathetic to what chemo means for them.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My cousin gave me this book to give to a friend about to start chemotherapy, and I read it as well. Everything I wanted to know about what to expect, all in one place, in a digestible format. The author wrote this book after being overwhelmed by all of the information out there, none of it in one place.

[Hope Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

Disclosure: read this the night before first chemo session.
Will need to see if some of these work.There are one or two very tiny typos.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been doing a lot of reading about cancer treatments during the past 6 weeks. This book did not contain any new information but it is the only source I have seen that has it all in one place. The book is well planned and easy to read. Please be aware that it does not address any particular chemo drug but is more about the entire process. I wish that I had found this book first before delving into the more technical aspects of chemotherapy.

If you are a newly diagnosed cancer patient or know of someone who is, I would highly recommend this book (as well as Bald is Better with Earrings)as a gift.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is different of course to be reading this as someone who is not making this journey; reading instead to see what is helpful for friends who are ill. This seems to be a good and quick overview of one person's experience and some helpful hints. I know it hits everyone differently; but this is a slim volume and full of small tips and resources and who knows what could make or break the experience for anyone heading through?

Will be passing at along, and keeping it in mind, for sure.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my sister who is starting chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. It's an excellent guide, simple, and easy to read. I would recommend it for anyone (or their caregiver) who is going to have chemo.

[Amy Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was picked out by my husband as a primer for us as we prepared to go through cancer treatments. I found it very easy to read, and very useful in preparing me for what is coming. It also made me cry and scared the bejeezus out of me, but hell, that's cancer. ;-) --A

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book.

I was looking for a different book. My husband has stomach cancer so I was hoping it would address some of those issues as well. It doesn't. But it has a lot helpful information.

[Alex Linschoten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practically oriented. Gets straight to the point. Found it a very useful reference book. Note, you might want to get a paper copy rather than electronic edition for reference.

[Edmund J Marvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

I was just diagnosed with stage 3 breast ca. Had one chemo tx down, and i have all classic txtbook side effects, this book helped.