The Good Fight

by Donna Hicken

Book by Hicken, Donna

Genres: Health

284 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kristin Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in my race packet last year for the half marathon part of the 26.2 with Donna - Jacksonville Breast Cancer Marathon. I determined to read it before running in that race again this year. I almost made it. :) (the race was last Sunday).

It was very interesting to read her story of breast cancer....it only covers the first two times she had it (she had her 3rd fight with breast cancer last year).

Much of the book is e-mails...many are emails that her viewers wrote to her and her responses (she is a news anchor in Jacksonville). She also includes her public blog that she used to keep viewers updated.

Towards the end of the book, I skimmed the viewers emails but did enjoy her sharing her journey....which includes starting a foundation to help women in our area pay bills, etc. during treatment. She is an amazing woman!

My mother was honored to see Dr. Edith Perez at Mayo once. Unfortunately, the unknown cost of Mayo with Medicare kept her from returning. (although God provided Mom with a great doctor in Jax). That made it more interesting, too...as Dr. Perez is good friends with Donna as well as her oncologist. Dr. Perez does not care for tumor markers - which she took on Donna even she is cautious...I found all that curious. I know that Moffit in Tampa also does not like to do tumor markers. Yet, I firmly believe that we had my mother for several extra years as a direct result of her Orlando doctor keeping up with her tumor markers - and so he found her metastatic cancer "early."

Since Donna LOVES to run, she talked about running in the book, too. I found this statement to be very interesting: (page 179) Long distance runners tend to deplete the estrogen in their bodies and estrogen is breast cancer's best friend.

How's that for motivation to keep on running? :)

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried a lot reading the beginning of this book because it brought back so many memories of what my sister went through with breast cancer. This book showed how Donna Hicken fought her battle with the help of her faith, her family, friends, and many loyal fans in her television audience. She prints e-mails from viewers and comes to know many of them personally, and tells their stories in the book as well. I enjoyed "getting to know" Donna and her family, and will never look at her as "just another newsanchor" again. The book also talks about the Donna Hicken Foundation, which she started for women who were struggling financially because of having breast cancer. Her faith in God shows strongly throughout the book and is very inspiring.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book in my "goodie bag" from running The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer in February. The author started a foundation to help women with financial needs who are fighting breast cancer. This was the first year of the marathon and it was a huge success. The book is the author's own story of battling breast cancer, but is ultimately, as you can imagine, a true story of how strong the human spirit can be. Over and over while reading I thought, I could never do that. Isn't it always inspiring to read about someone who can push those thoughts aside and accomplish amazing things?