Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul: Stories to Inspire, Support and Heal

by Jack Canfield (Compiler), Mark Victor Hansen, Mary Olsen Kelly

Your support group in a book, filled with boundless strength and profound hope - until the fight is won. Along with the shock, fear and loss many women face upon a breast cancer diagnosis comes unexpected strength, wisdom, and strong networks of sharing, support and healing. In Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul, survivors and their family members talk openly about how difficult their fight with breast cancer has been and how they made it through the dark times with a belief in a higher power and the support of those closest to them. Find strength in the encouraging stories of how family members confront their fears and show genuine affection for one another through gestures such as a granddaughter cutting the hair off of all her dolls so that they will look more like her grandma, who is bald from chemotherapy, and the gentle touch of a three-year-old son on his mother's back giving comfort to his sick mommy, and a husband who shows his wife the depth of his love during a weekend getaway after she heals from a total mastectomy.
Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivors Soul will show you the beautiful side of the human spirit and spark the optimism sometimes lost in the mist of an illness. It is for everyone with breast cancer and everyone who loves someone touched by the disease.

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting stories of faith, hope, and love. This book is a calming read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am biased, because I have a story in this book. However, that said, this is one of my favorite Chicken Soup books, because so many of the stories are inspiring.

[Moe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars -- I couldn't really relate to it that well - I do things/handle things differently than most, including this disease. I just didn't see a lot of unique or inspiring ways of handling the situation. Also, I'm not religious, and there's a lot of "faith" discussed in it. And of course, some of the stories in it didn't have a positive outcome, so sometimes it could be a bit "heavy." The stories all start out with that familiar dread - fear, anger, upset, worry, etc. -- the same thing over and over. Gets to be a downer after a while. So I read it and took from it that hey, at least I'm not dealing with it like these people are. I do think, however, it would be a good book for most people going through treatment for this disease -- it addresses the "usual" sorts of feelings and fears and may provide inspiration to some.

[Mary Elizabeth Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Nana Minnie Hamilton is a survivor. My grandmother Pam Schindler is a survivor. My dear friends Cassie and Bryce are currently fighting breast cancer. This touching book will encourage, inspire and warm all hearts who read and share the stories within...whether you are a fighter, a survivor, a family member, a friend or supporter for the cause. "Stand Up to Cancer!!" 🌸🌸

[Pippii · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a Breast Cancer Survivor like me, I liked the fun cartoons mixed with the stories from people that has went through the same thing like me.
We need humor here, but we need it from people that know how we feel and act in any given situation.

[hyperbeeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been reading the Chicken Soup series “ironically” but even I’m not an asshole enough to make fun of anything in this volume.
This is probably the best chicken Soup entry I’ve read. The quite bite largely hopeful stories Chicken Soup provides works pretty well for this subject and the volume stays well on topic while providing a lot of genuine-sounding experiences from a variety of angles.

[Poornima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, emotional, beautiful book ♥️✨

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio. This book would have been better when I was first diagnosed instead of almost halfway through treatment. But I’m behind on my reading goal and needed something short to read. 😃

[Chloe Longe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, eye opening, and inspiring. As a breast cancer survivor, this was a wonderful read! <3 Would highly recommend to all my fellow warriors and survivors!

[DelAnne Frazee]

Title: Chicken Soup For The Survivor's Soul
Stories to Inspire, Support and Heal
Author: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Mary Olsen Kelly
Publisher: Chicken Soup For The Soul Publishing
Published: 8-7-2012
ISBN: 9781453279137
E-Book ASIN: B009EIYQ8G
Pages: 294
Genre: Religion, Spirituality


You would be hard pressed to find anyone not touched by in some way by the insidious disease of Breast Cancer, myself included. I have lost two friends and have many more that have been diagnosed with it or know someone else who has. Chicken Soup For The Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul is a collection of inspiring stories. They offer comfort and encouragement to both the person fighting to survive and beat this terrible disease and those that love and help care for them.


As I read these stories I was in awe of the strength and determination of the storytellers and pray that I display the fighting spirit that they have. As I said I have many who have known the fear felt when the doctor looks at you and tells you you have breast cancer. I have already purchased 3 copies of this book for my friends still undergoing treatment and 2 more for the families of the two I lost over the last year. You will find these stories lifting your spirits whether you know someone fighting for their life or are doing so yourself. If you are feeling you are alone in your fight pick up a copy today and light a spark in the darkness and you will notice the twinkling of hundreds of other lights. Behind each light is another soul reaching out to bring you comfort and offer you a hand to remind you that you are not alone and encourage you along your way.


A Chicken Soup Book I had managed to miss and am so glad the Publishers offered it for review through NetGalley and I was approved to review it for them. Thank you. I enjoyed Chicken Soup For The breast Cancer Survivor's Soul tremendously. As always this is a quality book.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short stories of cancer survivors, many from right here in the Silicon Valley, and some who've taken on Rusty Hammer's challenge to build a community where healing can take place for everyone affected by cancer: The Wellness Community of Silicon Valley. This is good for when you're not feeling great and need a pick-me-up in just a few pages.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library because I was considering it as a gift to my Mom. There were some great stories. Go pinkies!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

reading this on & off, a few stories at a time... good for when I need to read something uplifting

[Heidi Marleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff in here. Not every story resonated with me but many did.

[Lianne Lipschitz]

Very good reading

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comforting stories for those who have been there or going through breast cancer treatment.

[Michelle's Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful set of stories.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone that is currently battling breast cancer and to anyone that has won the fight!

[Lenora Clemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone who has or going through breast cancer!!

[Kathy Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a breast cancer survivor it was very dear to my heart.

[Valerie Robinson]

I started reading this book because my mother is a breast cancer survivor. Even though I've not had it myself I enjoyed the very inspiring stories in this, and passed it on to my mother to read now that I am finished.