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Forward in the Fog: A Mother's Memoir of Trusting God with a Broken Heart
166 pages, Paperback
Published December 20, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 28, 2023
How do you review a book that both enthralled you and broke your heart at the same time? Lori has found a way to write a book that you can’t put down but, because you know the ending, you don’t want it to come to an end. You feel like you are in the hospital room with her. You are traveling with her to and from appointments, and you feel like your are eavesdropping on private conversations. I’m still amazed that I can read a book where a mother faces every mother’s worst fear and still feel envious of her. She describes a son who faces the ultimate challenge yet is not overcome by it. I found myself wanting to know her “secret” in raising a son that was mature beyond his age. Be ready to shed tears, smile and shake your head as you read this heartbreaking account of the last months of a son’s life.
January 21, 2024
This book is about a journey. About life, death, grief, pain, anger and peace. Life is not fair and it is not easy. But God is faithful through the extremity difficult times and the good ones Thank you Lori for sharing your story, and Joe's with us. This story is real and honest. It is not easy to eead but it is important. Highly recommend for anyone who is trying to deal with the loss of a loved one.
January 11, 2024
My sister lost her son in his early twenties. Later, my mother lost two of her adult children a few years apart. I wish this book had been there for them; it is the first truly authentic book on grief since C.S. Lewis' "A Grief Observed". My wife bought it the day it was released and shared it with me.
In "Forward in the Fog", you won't read about the five stages of grief. Nor is it a "how to" self-help book in the conventional sense. Lori Fischer's engaging conversational writing style is like a living diary that draws you in and makes you feel like you're there. While she doesn't sugar coat the experience of walking with her son and her family through his cancer journey, the raw emotion never comes across as anger or even fear. But it is very real and very compelling.
At times, I found myself in tears relating to her sense of helplessness and perhaps even abandonment and moments later, I could almost join in the laughter, the praise and the guarded hopes of a family drawn closer together through a slow-motion tragedy. There were times I laughed out loud, but mostly I just found myself thinking about what my mother and sister went through as "momma bears" who were helpless to save their cubs.
The first half of the book describes the discovery of Joe Fischer's brain tumor and the years that followed with doctor visits, invasive tests, chemo and radiation therapy and the moments of seeming recovery and then relapse. That could be just another sad story about a young man with brain cancer. But by the end of that season of the story, you'll see Joe Fischer as one person says in the book, was "no ordinary Joe." Through his own suffering, it seems the hardest part for him was not being able to comfort others and his almost heroic struggle to continue serving others until the very end.
The second half of the book is what grieving parents really need to hear. While the first part takes you through the long process of loss, the second reads like a stream of consciousness (albeit very organized and thoughtful) narrative of Lori Fischer's grieving process. Again, there is no effort to sugar coat the raw emotion, but the process is one of finding the way forward. Spoiler alert, no parent ever gets over the loss of a child. But unlike everyone around them who just "moves on with their lives", this grieving mom never lets go of God's hand, and finds her way.
It was well worth the read -- especially if you or someone in your life has lost a dear one.
In "Forward in the Fog", you won't read about the five stages of grief. Nor is it a "how to" self-help book in the conventional sense. Lori Fischer's engaging conversational writing style is like a living diary that draws you in and makes you feel like you're there. While she doesn't sugar coat the experience of walking with her son and her family through his cancer journey, the raw emotion never comes across as anger or even fear. But it is very real and very compelling.
At times, I found myself in tears relating to her sense of helplessness and perhaps even abandonment and moments later, I could almost join in the laughter, the praise and the guarded hopes of a family drawn closer together through a slow-motion tragedy. There were times I laughed out loud, but mostly I just found myself thinking about what my mother and sister went through as "momma bears" who were helpless to save their cubs.
The first half of the book describes the discovery of Joe Fischer's brain tumor and the years that followed with doctor visits, invasive tests, chemo and radiation therapy and the moments of seeming recovery and then relapse. That could be just another sad story about a young man with brain cancer. But by the end of that season of the story, you'll see Joe Fischer as one person says in the book, was "no ordinary Joe." Through his own suffering, it seems the hardest part for him was not being able to comfort others and his almost heroic struggle to continue serving others until the very end.
The second half of the book is what grieving parents really need to hear. While the first part takes you through the long process of loss, the second reads like a stream of consciousness (albeit very organized and thoughtful) narrative of Lori Fischer's grieving process. Again, there is no effort to sugar coat the raw emotion, but the process is one of finding the way forward. Spoiler alert, no parent ever gets over the loss of a child. But unlike everyone around them who just "moves on with their lives", this grieving mom never lets go of God's hand, and finds her way.
It was well worth the read -- especially if you or someone in your life has lost a dear one.
December 28, 2023
Beautiful testimony. It's written by a mother about her son Joe's illness. It's easy to read and well structured with timestamped journal-like entries to follow the family's experience through a heartbreaking diagnosis and the illness' effects. However, there's still humor woven in that makes it more readable, thanks to Joe's personality (more accessible than something like "A Grief Observed," as much as I love that work).
The author shares the Biblical comfort she found throughout the process, and how she approached heartbreak with the flow of fear and courage. Joe's attitude is inspiring, and if you like reading biographies of great saints, definitely consider reading through this memoir.
Give this book to anyone scared by a diagnosis, processing through grief, or anyone in ministry to better understand a mother's heart during this type of trial.
The author shares the Biblical comfort she found throughout the process, and how she approached heartbreak with the flow of fear and courage. Joe's attitude is inspiring, and if you like reading biographies of great saints, definitely consider reading through this memoir.
Give this book to anyone scared by a diagnosis, processing through grief, or anyone in ministry to better understand a mother's heart during this type of trial.
December 27, 2023
So loved every moment of reading "Forward InThe Fog".
So many wonderful memories of my brother Joe and this journey with his family. After talking a moment to speak to Lori I could not wait to tell her reading this book was a great blessing, and filled my heart with moments of joy me and Joe shared many stories of our journey and God moments with homeless folks God made appointments for us. We shared their names and their stories with each other, and prayed for them. Joe was a young man that had the soul of a elder so big and always welcoming this is one of many things that I feel drew me to be honored to call him my brother.
When I finally get to see you again Joe I can't wait sing beside you in Heaven. Your Brother in Christ Tim.
So many wonderful memories of my brother Joe and this journey with his family. After talking a moment to speak to Lori I could not wait to tell her reading this book was a great blessing, and filled my heart with moments of joy me and Joe shared many stories of our journey and God moments with homeless folks God made appointments for us. We shared their names and their stories with each other, and prayed for them. Joe was a young man that had the soul of a elder so big and always welcoming this is one of many things that I feel drew me to be honored to call him my brother.
When I finally get to see you again Joe I can't wait sing beside you in Heaven. Your Brother in Christ Tim.
January 12, 2024
Synopsis
A woman shares her journey as she cares for her son with brain cancer and then the process of moving forward after his death.
Thoughts
So well-written. It’s hard to put into words my response. I knew the story before reading the book, but what an honor it was to be privy to some of the more private moments. Some of it was difficult to read because it brought me to tears. But Lori’s faith and trust in the Almighty and His plan is worth the difficult emotions.
Recommend
100% yes. At some point in this life, we all will grieve a loss. Everyone needs a book like this to carry them through the tough times.
Read Again
Most Likely. Honestly it was difficult. But if I must come to a time when someone close faces cancer, I know I will come back to this book for comfort.
A woman shares her journey as she cares for her son with brain cancer and then the process of moving forward after his death.
Thoughts
So well-written. It’s hard to put into words my response. I knew the story before reading the book, but what an honor it was to be privy to some of the more private moments. Some of it was difficult to read because it brought me to tears. But Lori’s faith and trust in the Almighty and His plan is worth the difficult emotions.
Recommend
100% yes. At some point in this life, we all will grieve a loss. Everyone needs a book like this to carry them through the tough times.
Read Again
Most Likely. Honestly it was difficult. But if I must come to a time when someone close faces cancer, I know I will come back to this book for comfort.
December 28, 2023
As I read this book, I was touched at the powerful message of this mother trusting God while going through this time of uncertainty and heartbreak. It was heart wrenching going through this book with her, just like I had been there, too. The journey shared her hope as well as her despair. There were real questions for God. The title, Forward in the Fog, describes her path so believably and understandably. I was totally absorbed.
My thoughts are a 5 rating, as I was blown away by the honesty and raw emotion of the mother. I would highly recommend this book especially to those going through a cancer pathway with a family member or anyone with questions for God during this time.
My thoughts are a 5 rating, as I was blown away by the honesty and raw emotion of the mother. I would highly recommend this book especially to those going through a cancer pathway with a family member or anyone with questions for God during this time.
December 28, 2023
This book finds hope in sorrow, light in darkness, love and peace in a hard time. One can truly feel the writer experiencing each day as she walks the road none of us chose. Her love for her family, Joe, and most importantly for the LORD is deeply conveyed in the words she writes. The book is well written and flows easily. The book includes enough details to keep the story moving but not overly dramatic. I highly recommend this book.
December 28, 2023
As a mother who has experienced the loss of a child, I could relate to Lori's painful story. Thankfully, her book offers hope for other mothers who have been granted into a club whose membership we never wanted nor did we ask for. You will gain hope and strength from her story of devastating loss.
December 29, 2023
I am just a third of the way in to this book, and am compelled to stop and say, "read this." It is full of beauty and tender insight into a journey no one ever chooses, but some must travel. Lori and her son Joe and their family faced it with such grace.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews