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The C List: Colon, Clinic, Chemo and (Quite a Lot of) Cake - How I Survived Bowel Cancer
“This is not a ‘misery memoir’. Neither is it an, ‘I’ve got cancer and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me’ book. It is about the daft and sometimes funny things that happen to people living with cancer and useful tips for making the best of it.“
Rachel Bown is a marketing director and single mother of two, who was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer at the age of 45. With a taboo-breaking sense of humor, Rachel shares her experiences and the lists she made to help gain some control over what quickly became an unpredictable life. Both funny and poignant, she vividly describes her battle with cancer and the often absurd situations she finds herself in—from a brutally flippant surgeon to her latest fashion accessory, a colostomy bag, to embarking on a project to build a 40ft-banana giraffe on the roof of her house.
Colon cancer is the second-biggest cancer killer in the US, but there is still a shockinging low level of public awareness about it. Rachel offers you all the nuggets of information she picked up from hundreds of sources along the way, including questions you should ask your surgeon, the best treats whilst on chemo, things to look out for in a blood test, and how not to react when someone tells you they have cancer.
Rachel Bown is a marketing director and single mother of two, who was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer at the age of 45. With a taboo-breaking sense of humor, Rachel shares her experiences and the lists she made to help gain some control over what quickly became an unpredictable life. Both funny and poignant, she vividly describes her battle with cancer and the often absurd situations she finds herself in—from a brutally flippant surgeon to her latest fashion accessory, a colostomy bag, to embarking on a project to build a 40ft-banana giraffe on the roof of her house.
Colon cancer is the second-biggest cancer killer in the US, but there is still a shockinging low level of public awareness about it. Rachel offers you all the nuggets of information she picked up from hundreds of sources along the way, including questions you should ask your surgeon, the best treats whilst on chemo, things to look out for in a blood test, and how not to react when someone tells you they have cancer.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 23, 2014
A very touching and yet humorous story of the journey through colon cancer. Much of what she writes is also applicable to any other form of cancer and its treatment. As a breast cancer survivor, a lot of what she writes rang true to my experiences. I will definitely be recommending this book to others, and sharing my copy with friends/family members.
DISCLOSURE: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review, and all thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.
DISCLOSURE: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review, and all thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.
May 21, 2016
OK so there are a lot of bowel cancer books on my list at the moment. But this is far and away the most relatable for me (perhaps it is something to do with my gallows sense of humour). And No it's not me.
But I can hear the voice telling the story in my head, keeping it real, making the lists (something else I relate to). It's not always pretty and some things are glossed over that I wish I had more insight into but overall this book does it's job - wakes the reader up, takes us to the edge and then shows that there is always something to be grateful for.
But I can hear the voice telling the story in my head, keeping it real, making the lists (something else I relate to). It's not always pretty and some things are glossed over that I wish I had more insight into but overall this book does it's job - wakes the reader up, takes us to the edge and then shows that there is always something to be grateful for.
July 5, 2014
Excellent book! The C List is an upbeat, step by step account of the author's fight with colon cancer. I liked the lists in the book that were full of advice for those in this situation. With a refreshing touch of humor, Rachel Bown tells her story, and dispenses her prescription for how to get through this fight for life. It was interesting to read all the details about medical treatments and how her family helped throughout. There was a good amount of helpful detail about nutrition and acupuncture and daily coping skills. Through her story, it's amazing to see the positive reactions and wisdom gleaned from the circumstance, such as gaining a new perspective of the value of life and the preciousness of her family and friends. This would be an encouraging book for someone going through cancer or even the family of a patient, as well as a good book to read to learn how to relate to someone in this battle. Great advice in this book about what to say and do for someone who's ill. I learned a lot. Highly recommended. Thanks to the author and goodreads for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
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July 16, 2014Disclaimer: I received this book through First Reads in exchange for my honest review.
I starthed this book expecting to read another uplifting "I survived Cancer" book. I got that - but not in the format that I was expecting.
The cancer seemed to take almost a back seat to the wonderful writing. It is plain to see how family and humour helped Rachel Brown cope with the things that her body was going through.
While Rachel Brown did not set out to write an inspiring book about surviving cancer (even if she won't say that she has survived just yet) she accomplished it in spades. She writes about what everyone should now when there is someone close to them suffering from the disease. She makes it easier to know what to do or say to someone when this happens to them.
This book should be on the must read for anyone going through cancer treatments - and should be in waiting rooms for the family of the patients. It takes the scariness out of what happens without dumbing it down or handing it over to a higher power.
Excellent read.
I starthed this book expecting to read another uplifting "I survived Cancer" book. I got that - but not in the format that I was expecting.
The cancer seemed to take almost a back seat to the wonderful writing. It is plain to see how family and humour helped Rachel Brown cope with the things that her body was going through.
While Rachel Brown did not set out to write an inspiring book about surviving cancer (even if she won't say that she has survived just yet) she accomplished it in spades. She writes about what everyone should now when there is someone close to them suffering from the disease. She makes it easier to know what to do or say to someone when this happens to them.
This book should be on the must read for anyone going through cancer treatments - and should be in waiting rooms for the family of the patients. It takes the scariness out of what happens without dumbing it down or handing it over to a higher power.
Excellent read.
July 7, 2014
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway.
I really enjoyed learning more about cancer since I did
not know much about it, the fact that the book was pretty comedic
and easy to read. I would recommend this book even if you do not have cancer
because someone you know may get it and the info in this book is really good.
This book has lists of questions to ask the doctor and info on different treatments.
Thanks for the opportunity
I really enjoyed learning more about cancer since I did
not know much about it, the fact that the book was pretty comedic
and easy to read. I would recommend this book even if you do not have cancer
because someone you know may get it and the info in this book is really good.
This book has lists of questions to ask the doctor and info on different treatments.
Thanks for the opportunity
April 27, 2014
I received the advanced reading copy of this book from Goodreads.At first i i quickly glanced through it and thought it would be a great read for anyone trying to better understand this terrible disease.
Rachel Brown has done a great job of writing a book that meets the description on the back cover..honest yet sprinkled with humour.I believe this is a must read for anyone diagnosed with cancer.
Rachel Brown has done a great job of writing a book that meets the description on the back cover..honest yet sprinkled with humour.I believe this is a must read for anyone diagnosed with cancer.
May 4, 2014
Definitely a bad situation to be be stricken with this disease,but Rachel Bown has written a great book filled with tips on how to make the best of the situation and more importantly how to deal with it.
I would recommend this book to anyone suffering fro this disease.It really describes the phases of cancer and the effects of it on ones life,family and friends.
I would recommend this book to anyone suffering fro this disease.It really describes the phases of cancer and the effects of it on ones life,family and friends.
March 26, 2014
This was a long read for me but an informative one. I highly recommend everyone read this book whether you have a history of cancer in your family or not. I admire the courage that Rachel had going through this and after. A must-read for all adults!
July 18, 2017
Cancer Story
Ms. Brown tells the tale of her cancer involvement cheerfully and I an upbeat way. I found this rather disconcerting as she obviously had a very rough go. However, it was nice that she was able to withstand it.
Ms. Brown tells the tale of her cancer involvement cheerfully and I an upbeat way. I found this rather disconcerting as she obviously had a very rough go. However, it was nice that she was able to withstand it.
July 17, 2014
This how-to book would be very useful to women actually going through the experience of cancer. It is less a memoir and more of a coaching guide.
July 24, 2023
The only thing I liked about this book were the lists- in fact I loved them. They were comprehensive, practical and if the situation ever arose I would certainly use them as a reference. I am glad that the book contained so many, and it was nice to see how the writer found a way to focus through writing her lists. I also feel it was more of a functional guide than a memoir.
The writer, however, I disliked in every sense, primarily because of the utter disrespect she consistently displays towards health care professionals by way of name calling and her obvious sarcasm when telling anecdotes. Her socio-economic status was heavily present through the entire book, which I felt was completely unnecessary.
The writer, however, I disliked in every sense, primarily because of the utter disrespect she consistently displays towards health care professionals by way of name calling and her obvious sarcasm when telling anecdotes. Her socio-economic status was heavily present through the entire book, which I felt was completely unnecessary.
September 28, 2018
Why
It was about a women with colon cancer. I have read a lot better books i have read. Not one i will save
It was about a women with colon cancer. I have read a lot better books i have read. Not one i will save
June 1, 2021
Oh my, what an amazing memoir. Such wonderful writing by someone who would be a blessing to have as a friend or sister or daughter or mother or co-worker.
The conversation with the children in Chapter 3 (before the tests/diagnosis and triggered by a random radio blurb) totally unraveled me.
‘Are you going to get cancer?’ Lois asked, tuning in to the conversation.
‘Who knows? More and more people are getting it, but it’s so much easier to treat and cure these days, so even if I did, I wouldn’t be worried. Well, it would be a pain, of course, but we’d cope and I’m pretty fit.’
‘Really?’ said Joseph, less convincingly, and then: ‘OH GOSH, MUM, DO YOU HAVE IT?’
‘Who knows? I doubt it, I feel fine. Do I look ill? Stop worrying and look at that bloke over there going for a wee,’ I pointed, suddenly delighted to see the proud, wide-legged pose of the long-distance man traveller.
As I drove on, I tried to hide the cramping and stabbing pains in my abdomen. It felt a bit like contractions. When I was not being watched, I found that rocking naturally like I was in labour helped the pain.
The conversation with the children in Chapter 3 (before the tests/diagnosis and triggered by a random radio blurb) totally unraveled me.
‘Are you going to get cancer?’ Lois asked, tuning in to the conversation.
‘Who knows? More and more people are getting it, but it’s so much easier to treat and cure these days, so even if I did, I wouldn’t be worried. Well, it would be a pain, of course, but we’d cope and I’m pretty fit.’
‘Really?’ said Joseph, less convincingly, and then: ‘OH GOSH, MUM, DO YOU HAVE IT?’
‘Who knows? I doubt it, I feel fine. Do I look ill? Stop worrying and look at that bloke over there going for a wee,’ I pointed, suddenly delighted to see the proud, wide-legged pose of the long-distance man traveller.
As I drove on, I tried to hide the cramping and stabbing pains in my abdomen. It felt a bit like contractions. When I was not being watched, I found that rocking naturally like I was in labour helped the pain.
December 4, 2019
Cancer is very personal and the experience of survival is not the same for everybody. This “diary type “ dry humor was not well received by patients at the clinic I attend. It’s superficial, and maybe only intended for the person who wrote it. My sister has and survived Colon Cancer and stated that the writer was so full of herself that lacked empathy for others. Look around and you will see other people going through their own experience. Humor? Maybe from a Brit point of view. If I write a very personal diary of my experience it’s not necessary going to be the best cup of tea for the person next to me. Especially people who obviously don’t have the upscale monetary class that the writer has. Don’t write a book for sake of blowing your own whistle... I couldn’t even finish reading it. Let the living with Cancer counseling and jokes to people who are experts in that area. At least you will not do so much harm. And you should show more respect for the health professionals that assisted you instead of naming them with ridicule.
March 25, 2014
This was a really good account of coping with cancer. I appreciate that it was encouraging without being reliant on clichés. The author is incredibly relatable, and likeable. Good on her for sharing her story so frankly.
March 28, 2014
A great book I highly recommend it.
Want to Read
July 10, 2014I just won this in a Goodreads giveaway!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews