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Third Floor Summer: A Mother’s Memoir of Her Journey Battling Cancer
One woman’s personal journey through cancer
After receiving a leukemia diagnosis, Mara Solomon undergoes two months of chemotherapy. Against expectations, the treatment succeeds in putting her into remission. However, further testing reveals the need for a bone marrow transplant to achieve a complete cure.
This raw yet inspiring memoir details Mara’s journey through cancer treatment and recovery. She candidly shares her emotional and physical experiences during this difficult period, including her fears, uncertainties, and moments of despair. Support from family and friends were her tether to hope throughout her journey.
Her story shows perseverance in the face of life-threatening adversity. When stem cell donation and a bone marrow transplant become the next step, new uncertainties arise. Mara now faces additional medical procedures and risks while being isolated from the ones she loves.
Along the way, readers gain insight into navigating the cancer experience from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The memoir offers solidarity to others walking a similar path. By chronicling incremental victories like nights of undisturbed sleep or a regained appetite, Third Floor Summer conveys hope during hardship. For caregivers and supporters, her story provides perspective on providing optimal care and compassion.
Third Floor Summer demonstrates resilience and the power of community during life’s biggest challenges. Ultimately, her story conveys perseverance in overcoming great trials, helpful for anyone wanting to understand the cancer journey for themselves or a loved one.
After receiving a leukemia diagnosis, Mara Solomon undergoes two months of chemotherapy. Against expectations, the treatment succeeds in putting her into remission. However, further testing reveals the need for a bone marrow transplant to achieve a complete cure.
This raw yet inspiring memoir details Mara’s journey through cancer treatment and recovery. She candidly shares her emotional and physical experiences during this difficult period, including her fears, uncertainties, and moments of despair. Support from family and friends were her tether to hope throughout her journey.
Her story shows perseverance in the face of life-threatening adversity. When stem cell donation and a bone marrow transplant become the next step, new uncertainties arise. Mara now faces additional medical procedures and risks while being isolated from the ones she loves.
Along the way, readers gain insight into navigating the cancer experience from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The memoir offers solidarity to others walking a similar path. By chronicling incremental victories like nights of undisturbed sleep or a regained appetite, Third Floor Summer conveys hope during hardship. For caregivers and supporters, her story provides perspective on providing optimal care and compassion.
Third Floor Summer demonstrates resilience and the power of community during life’s biggest challenges. Ultimately, her story conveys perseverance in overcoming great trials, helpful for anyone wanting to understand the cancer journey for themselves or a loved one.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2024
19 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 18, 2025
A Cancer Story
It's so true that when someone is diagnosed with cancer (or any other serious illness) it affects the whole family. And really, how could it not? When you are related to someone or even a close friend, you are not only going to be concerned about them, support and encourage them but if there are complications, you likely witness their struggle, and you may also be called upon (or ideally, you offer if possible) to help do things like: childcare, rides to school, play dates or medical appointments, dog walking, laundry, organizing a fundraiser or a meal train etc. The person WITH cancer will be so appreciative!
The Solomon family consists of Dave, Mara and their two little girls, Alyssa and Eli. (Not sure if Eli is short for Eliana or Elise? Also not sure if they pronounce it like the boy's name with a long "i" or as "Ellie." ) They also have a dog named Brady. They're a busy family and quite close; pretty typical. That is, until Mara is diagnosed with leukemia and immediately admitted to the hospital after what she hoped would be a fairly routine E.R. visit. I won't spoil the story by going into tons of detail but she had to endure chemo as well as a stem cell transplant and isolation.
I was impressed for a while at how great she did with accepting what was, making the best of things and having a great attitude. But further in, she started visiting family when she wasn't supposed to, driving herself places despite being told not to, going to Costco etc. I can imagine how hard it is to be isolated for such a long time but I just felt "why tempt fate? The doctors and nurses do everything THEY can to take care of you and get you into remission. Shouldn't the patient do their part?" I don't mean to sound judgemental because I know I'd be tempted too. But I watched my mom die of cancer and though she was older, she would have jumped through hoops to be able to stay... We each have to make those decisions for ourselves though.
There were more than a few spelling mistakes such as "repertory" for "respiratory." And "Standford" Hospital for Stanford. I'm not sure whether the author did her own editing, had a relative or friend do it or a professional editor but they missed some easy catches! I also found it repetitive in places. Things like "The kids are doing great" or about the delicious pizza place across from the hospital her husband would go get their dinner from at times.
It was not that emotional like some cancer memoirs I've read but perhaps that's because she did so well. More matter of fact than I am used to.
It's so true that when someone is diagnosed with cancer (or any other serious illness) it affects the whole family. And really, how could it not? When you are related to someone or even a close friend, you are not only going to be concerned about them, support and encourage them but if there are complications, you likely witness their struggle, and you may also be called upon (or ideally, you offer if possible) to help do things like: childcare, rides to school, play dates or medical appointments, dog walking, laundry, organizing a fundraiser or a meal train etc. The person WITH cancer will be so appreciative!
The Solomon family consists of Dave, Mara and their two little girls, Alyssa and Eli. (Not sure if Eli is short for Eliana or Elise? Also not sure if they pronounce it like the boy's name with a long "i" or as "Ellie." ) They also have a dog named Brady. They're a busy family and quite close; pretty typical. That is, until Mara is diagnosed with leukemia and immediately admitted to the hospital after what she hoped would be a fairly routine E.R. visit. I won't spoil the story by going into tons of detail but she had to endure chemo as well as a stem cell transplant and isolation.
I was impressed for a while at how great she did with accepting what was, making the best of things and having a great attitude. But further in, she started visiting family when she wasn't supposed to, driving herself places despite being told not to, going to Costco etc. I can imagine how hard it is to be isolated for such a long time but I just felt "why tempt fate? The doctors and nurses do everything THEY can to take care of you and get you into remission. Shouldn't the patient do their part?" I don't mean to sound judgemental because I know I'd be tempted too. But I watched my mom die of cancer and though she was older, she would have jumped through hoops to be able to stay... We each have to make those decisions for ourselves though.
There were more than a few spelling mistakes such as "repertory" for "respiratory." And "Standford" Hospital for Stanford. I'm not sure whether the author did her own editing, had a relative or friend do it or a professional editor but they missed some easy catches! I also found it repetitive in places. Things like "The kids are doing great" or about the delicious pizza place across from the hospital her husband would go get their dinner from at times.
It was not that emotional like some cancer memoirs I've read but perhaps that's because she did so well. More matter of fact than I am used to.
June 8, 2025
Words from the heart and in the moment. Mara chose to share her journey with her loved ones and later for the world to experience. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews