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Live Strong: Inspirational Stories from Cancer Survivors - From Diagnosis to Treatment and Beyond
Since the now ubiquitous LIVE STRONG ™ wristbands became available in May 2004, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised more than $50 million for cancer survivorship programs, and the signature phrase has become a battle cry for those who fight the disease every day.
Now, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has compiled, from hours of videotaped interviews, poignant and dramatic personal accounts from cancer survivors. Covering a wide range of subjects, from grief to spousal relationships, employment discrimination to coping with medical bills, infertility to fear of recurrence, survivors share their experiences and speak candidly about how cancer has impacted their lives. For twenty-four-year-old Amy it’s how her illness changed her relationship with her parents. Mike, a male survivor of breast cancer, talks about gender stereotypes and genetic testing. And Eric, the father of a five-year-old survivor of a brain tumor, recalls how friends and strangers helped his family with financial issues and how the experience brought him and his wife closer together.
While heartbreaking at times, these powerfully honest stories are ultimately uplifting and extremely reassuring to patients and their families. They offer the wisdom and hope that only survivors can give. Live Strong is a remarkable testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
From the introduction by Lance
My work with the LAF shows me daily that sharing our stories and learning from one another’s experiences helps us cancer survivors continue to survive. Some people think the cancer experience is only about the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as if after the disease goes into remission, it no longer exists. But survivorship goes beyond remission. Survivorship is an evolution.
Now, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has compiled, from hours of videotaped interviews, poignant and dramatic personal accounts from cancer survivors. Covering a wide range of subjects, from grief to spousal relationships, employment discrimination to coping with medical bills, infertility to fear of recurrence, survivors share their experiences and speak candidly about how cancer has impacted their lives. For twenty-four-year-old Amy it’s how her illness changed her relationship with her parents. Mike, a male survivor of breast cancer, talks about gender stereotypes and genetic testing. And Eric, the father of a five-year-old survivor of a brain tumor, recalls how friends and strangers helped his family with financial issues and how the experience brought him and his wife closer together.
While heartbreaking at times, these powerfully honest stories are ultimately uplifting and extremely reassuring to patients and their families. They offer the wisdom and hope that only survivors can give. Live Strong is a remarkable testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
From the introduction by Lance
My work with the LAF shows me daily that sharing our stories and learning from one another’s experiences helps us cancer survivors continue to survive. Some people think the cancer experience is only about the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as if after the disease goes into remission, it no longer exists. But survivorship goes beyond remission. Survivorship is an evolution.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2005
6 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 29, 2013
This was a Good book for anyone curious about cancer, but it really doesn't relate to sports enough. This book has some amazing stories of people that got cancer and the hills they had to climb to get over the rocky battle of having cancer. Its amazing how much perseverance that these people had to get over the cancer that they had.
December 9, 2024
Very inspirational
April 17, 2008
I listened to this book on CD and found it incredibly inspiring. I would recommend this book for everyone, but especially anyone who has been touched by cancer. It's a horrible disease and the individuals who tell their stories in this book are so strong and so inspiring. The positive outlook and love of life these survivors share is amazing. Each story describes his/her unique battle with cancer, the diagnosis, the treatment, the recovery, and the impact on family, friends and life. I was amazed by how many individuals have turned their cancer experience into an opportunity to give back to the cancer community. Many discuss how they have established foundations, support groups and participate in clinical trials all in an effort to support the fight against cancer. They look beyond their own personal struggle to find ways to help others. Amazing and inspiring.
Listening to these stories made me think a lot about my mom, her cancer fight and her death. Throughout the 3 years of her cancer battle she maintained such a positive attitude and did not let her illness stop her. Despite having over 60% of her stomach removed due to stomach cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, then having a hysterectomy because of ovarian cancer and then radiation and more treatment, she still lived life. She didn't let it stop her from working, traveling to visit family & attend my brother's soccer games, spending time as a family and doing all the normal stuff of life. She continued living life to the fullest at every moment and every opportunity. She is truly inspiring to me and serves as my personal example of "livingstrong."
Listening to these stories made me think a lot about my mom, her cancer fight and her death. Throughout the 3 years of her cancer battle she maintained such a positive attitude and did not let her illness stop her. Despite having over 60% of her stomach removed due to stomach cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, then having a hysterectomy because of ovarian cancer and then radiation and more treatment, she still lived life. She didn't let it stop her from working, traveling to visit family & attend my brother's soccer games, spending time as a family and doing all the normal stuff of life. She continued living life to the fullest at every moment and every opportunity. She is truly inspiring to me and serves as my personal example of "livingstrong."
June 3, 2009
"I started to embrace what I went through and who I am. I started wearing skirts and showing the big scar on my leg"
-- Cancer survivor
These stories were stories of strength, of overcoming pain and suffering, but most importantly, the embracing of life, of one's unique experience and future, and who oneself is.
Life is too short to be unhappy, and to worry about things out of one's control.
"I must fight for myself, for weekdays, for living life to the fullest - I am not ready to die."
-- Cancer Survivor
Life is great no matter what: life is great because it's uniquely yours.
It doesn't take cancer for us to do that, every day. This book made me feel so grateful for being healthy, for being able to breathe the fresh air, for being able to work, to grow, to see my family and friends, to adventure, to make mistakes, to cry, to laugh.
And to be alive.
-- Cancer survivor
These stories were stories of strength, of overcoming pain and suffering, but most importantly, the embracing of life, of one's unique experience and future, and who oneself is.
Life is too short to be unhappy, and to worry about things out of one's control.
"I must fight for myself, for weekdays, for living life to the fullest - I am not ready to die."
-- Cancer Survivor
Life is great no matter what: life is great because it's uniquely yours.
It doesn't take cancer for us to do that, every day. This book made me feel so grateful for being healthy, for being able to breathe the fresh air, for being able to work, to grow, to see my family and friends, to adventure, to make mistakes, to cry, to laugh.
And to be alive.
January 15, 2014
This book is from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Lance Armstrong wrote the introduction. In this novel, every chapter is a different individual talking about their story. Their journey through having cancer. They are inspirational stories from the beginning of their diagnosis, to their treatment, and then beyond, such as their everyday life. Each person has there own unique story. However, they all have something in common. They survived, and they've become fighters. They continued to live everyday, but not in fear. None of them were just going to give up. This book was made so that people that do have cancer, and are dying can read this, and get some sense of hope. It may allow them to realize tha there not alone. I would also recommend this book to any one who just needs some inspiration.
May 21, 2007
Wonderful book about courage and overcoming obstacles. If you or someone you know has cancer this is a great inspirational book to read. Very detailed and graphic at parts. Great insight to what a cancer patient goes through...very moving.
June 20, 2013
We could all benefit from a better appreciation of what cancer survivors experience. Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews