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F.I.G.H.T.: Family Inspires Great Hope Together: How We Fight
When it is YOUR child, the urge to fight is RELENTLESS!
F.I.G.H.T. is a powerful story that takes you through a battle with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma through the eyes of a loving father seeking to find both answers and strength for his wife and daughters. Using his own intuition and experience with hardship, he doggedly pursues help, answers, and information regarding his 15-year-old daughter’s battle with this deadly form of cancer. Through his struggles, hardship, love, and loss, Joe takes you through his and his family’s battle with cancer in a living memory of his daughter Caitlyn, to help his family to remain strong.
This is HOW WE FIGHT!
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2015
3 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Joe Bagnato
4 books24 followersJoe Bagnato was born in Mount Kisco, New York, in 1971 to an Italian-American father and an Irish-immigrant mother. Mostly Catholic-schooled from Kindergarten through High School, he spent time during his formative years as an alter boy, an athlete, and even a musician who could play multiple instruments while singing...until his voice broke.
No stranger to struggles and hardships, Joe's defining battles have centered on his family, with one daughter, Hailee, who was born deaf, and another, Caitlyn, who lost her battle with cancer at age 15 in 2009.
No stranger to struggles and hardships, Joe's defining battles have centered on his family, with one daughter, Hailee, who was born deaf, and another, Caitlyn, who lost her battle with cancer at age 15 in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 10, 2015
While I am the author I thought this would be a great place to add a little more to the synopsis, there is only so much you can fit on the back of a paperback.
There is way more to it than can be described in a synopsis but to give you a better understanding Caitlyn was the most beautiful child any parent could wish for from God. Her strength was beyond words that can describe it although I think I did a pretty good job doing so in the book. Her type of cancer was so rare that it only effects 200 people WORLDWIDE each year and 95% of those who are diagnosed pass away from it within 2 years of diagnosis. To sum it up, she was given a few months to live and lasted 10 and a 1/2 months from day of diagnosis. As a parent or the actual patient you never lose that hope because if we don't have that we have nothing. Now I will always tell you we had our miracle with Caitlyn. I realized this and how simple miracles truly are after Caitlyn suffered from a bout with hepatic encephalopathy due to giving her chemo to try and combat the cancer. She started acting funny late at night on April 9th, 2009 and was completely out of her mind on April 10th. The hepatic encephalopathy caused her to slip into a coma in the early morning hours of April 11th which happens to be my wife's birthday. Later that night on April 11th I realized what our miracle was and it was that she didn't just pass away before we knew she was sick. We had this extra time with her that only God could give. It was a long recovery for her after this bout with hepatic encephalopathy but she did start to wake up on Sunday April 12th, 2009 and she called out daddy once that day. Now I was trying to avoid something like this happening on my wife's birthday who is also Caitlyn's mother. I mean think about it, Caitlyn wasn't likely to see her mother's birthday again and here we were what I was trying to avoid happened. If you check your calender you will see that April 12 was also Easter Sunday that year. You can draw your own conclusions on the timing. Needless to say I have been touched by God in many ways and that was just one example out of many in my book.
Enjoy the read!
There is way more to it than can be described in a synopsis but to give you a better understanding Caitlyn was the most beautiful child any parent could wish for from God. Her strength was beyond words that can describe it although I think I did a pretty good job doing so in the book. Her type of cancer was so rare that it only effects 200 people WORLDWIDE each year and 95% of those who are diagnosed pass away from it within 2 years of diagnosis. To sum it up, she was given a few months to live and lasted 10 and a 1/2 months from day of diagnosis. As a parent or the actual patient you never lose that hope because if we don't have that we have nothing. Now I will always tell you we had our miracle with Caitlyn. I realized this and how simple miracles truly are after Caitlyn suffered from a bout with hepatic encephalopathy due to giving her chemo to try and combat the cancer. She started acting funny late at night on April 9th, 2009 and was completely out of her mind on April 10th. The hepatic encephalopathy caused her to slip into a coma in the early morning hours of April 11th which happens to be my wife's birthday. Later that night on April 11th I realized what our miracle was and it was that she didn't just pass away before we knew she was sick. We had this extra time with her that only God could give. It was a long recovery for her after this bout with hepatic encephalopathy but she did start to wake up on Sunday April 12th, 2009 and she called out daddy once that day. Now I was trying to avoid something like this happening on my wife's birthday who is also Caitlyn's mother. I mean think about it, Caitlyn wasn't likely to see her mother's birthday again and here we were what I was trying to avoid happened. If you check your calender you will see that April 12 was also Easter Sunday that year. You can draw your own conclusions on the timing. Needless to say I have been touched by God in many ways and that was just one example out of many in my book.
Enjoy the read!
November 10, 2015
How We Fight" is comparably one of the most powerful, yet inspirational, stories that one can take the time to read. The author, clearly a deep-rooted family man, starts us at the very beginning with his upbringing, detailing every event from childhood into adulthood, that shaped and molded him into the man he is today. No doubt, these events gave him the ability to handle and deal with the tragic events that take place at the end of the story. "How We Fight" is a roller coaster ride of a story that inspires, as well as teaches us how to cope with the death of a child. A story about the author meeting strangers, even doctors, who came together and became his family outside of family. Not a book to be missed!
November 18, 2015
Without a doubt, this book is an inspirational accounting of a family's journey with a child fighting cancer through the eyes of the father. It shares the highs and lows of every step within this journey and the devistating loss of a child. How a family can be inspired to go on with their lives after a loss so big. The author leaves nothing to the imagination, he clearly spells out every aspect of the family's life. I am surely hoping there will be a book number two in this author's journey.
December 29, 2015
What an inspiring story!
How We Fight, as the title suggests is a book about fighting, a story told from the father's perspective. The book is about Caitlyn Bagnato, the daughter of the author, who while diagnosed with cancer, and given chemo treatments, developed into Hepatic Encephalopathy, at the age of fourteen. A rare form of cancer called Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma that affects 200 people a year, worldwide. It is a story about family, and their epic battle to save Caitlyn's life. Caitlyn's persistence in fighting to conquer this dreaded disease is very inspirational and touching story. A determined teenager and fighter from the very beginning, fought with strength, courage, and hope, until she lost her final battle with cancer at the young age of 15. I say lost, but in my opinion, she was a winner all the way, and so was the family!
Joe Bagnato's book takes place in New York, and includes the bombing of the World Trade Center. His extremely well written book begins from his early life beginning at birth through his youthful years, and progresses with his marriage to his wife Georgine, and subsequent birth of their youngest daughter Hailee, who was born deaf. After diagnosis of Caitlyn's cancer, she and her family begin the fight. The author, wife and friends begin their research to find out as much as possible about the disease. Much of the later part of the story takes place in doctors' offices, hospitals, emergency rooms, and toward the end at home on hospice, a battle fought gallantly to the very end.
This is one of those books when you finish, you do not soon forget. This is an emotional story and an easy read. Unfortunately, books such as this often get little publicity and easily overlooked. Life is not always rainbows and butterflies, and neither is this book. This book is about life, it has no fairytale ending. Sometimes you have to deal with what you are dealt, and this family has done just that! It is a message of hope! Since I lost a daughter myself at an early age, I could certainly understand the turmoil and daily stress associated with such events. I congratulate Mr. Bagnato, a gifted writer, for writing with such zeal and compassion. It is a story all should read, and by doing so, perhaps readers will appreciate their family in a fresh new way!
I did feel the first five chapters, dealing with the author, parent's backgrounds, and his growing up years, distracted from the storyline. The mentioning of in-laws, relatives, while interesting, was in my opinion, unnecessary. This book is very detailed, in some cases, maybe too detailed. I thought there were too many non-essential characters written into the story, which broke up the continuity and flow. While I can relate to the abundance of medical terminology and jargon used, to the average reader, it may pose a problem.
With that being said, I would highly recommend How We Fight, to all who dare to be touched...
Warm and heartfelt thanks to Joe, Georgine, and Hailee for such a touching tribute in memory of your beloved Caitlyn Bagnato! Never give up! F.I.G.H.T. Family Inspires Great Hope Together, How We Fight!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
How We Fight, as the title suggests is a book about fighting, a story told from the father's perspective. The book is about Caitlyn Bagnato, the daughter of the author, who while diagnosed with cancer, and given chemo treatments, developed into Hepatic Encephalopathy, at the age of fourteen. A rare form of cancer called Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma that affects 200 people a year, worldwide. It is a story about family, and their epic battle to save Caitlyn's life. Caitlyn's persistence in fighting to conquer this dreaded disease is very inspirational and touching story. A determined teenager and fighter from the very beginning, fought with strength, courage, and hope, until she lost her final battle with cancer at the young age of 15. I say lost, but in my opinion, she was a winner all the way, and so was the family!
Joe Bagnato's book takes place in New York, and includes the bombing of the World Trade Center. His extremely well written book begins from his early life beginning at birth through his youthful years, and progresses with his marriage to his wife Georgine, and subsequent birth of their youngest daughter Hailee, who was born deaf. After diagnosis of Caitlyn's cancer, she and her family begin the fight. The author, wife and friends begin their research to find out as much as possible about the disease. Much of the later part of the story takes place in doctors' offices, hospitals, emergency rooms, and toward the end at home on hospice, a battle fought gallantly to the very end.
This is one of those books when you finish, you do not soon forget. This is an emotional story and an easy read. Unfortunately, books such as this often get little publicity and easily overlooked. Life is not always rainbows and butterflies, and neither is this book. This book is about life, it has no fairytale ending. Sometimes you have to deal with what you are dealt, and this family has done just that! It is a message of hope! Since I lost a daughter myself at an early age, I could certainly understand the turmoil and daily stress associated with such events. I congratulate Mr. Bagnato, a gifted writer, for writing with such zeal and compassion. It is a story all should read, and by doing so, perhaps readers will appreciate their family in a fresh new way!
I did feel the first five chapters, dealing with the author, parent's backgrounds, and his growing up years, distracted from the storyline. The mentioning of in-laws, relatives, while interesting, was in my opinion, unnecessary. This book is very detailed, in some cases, maybe too detailed. I thought there were too many non-essential characters written into the story, which broke up the continuity and flow. While I can relate to the abundance of medical terminology and jargon used, to the average reader, it may pose a problem.
With that being said, I would highly recommend How We Fight, to all who dare to be touched...
Warm and heartfelt thanks to Joe, Georgine, and Hailee for such a touching tribute in memory of your beloved Caitlyn Bagnato! Never give up! F.I.G.H.T. Family Inspires Great Hope Together, How We Fight!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2016
Joe Bagnato and his wife lived through every parent's worst nightmare: Finding out their daughter Caitlyn had a rare, incurable form of cancer with a 100% mortality rate. With courage and grace, Joe helped Caitlyn face this ordeal, teaching her the acronym that would define the last year of her life: Family Inspires Great Hope Together! From the day of her diagnosis, Joe had to juggle his roles as father, husband, caregiver, and provider until Caitlyn's brave struggle finally came to an end. He did so with grace, courage, and even a sense of humor when his family needed it most. Now he shares their story in a poignant memoir that will make every parent hug their children a little closer, and pray a little harder for all those facing pediatric cancer.
This is a touching, sweet memoir, and by the time you reach the end you will feel like Joe is an old friend. The book doesn't read like some sort of polished biography; it's more like a series of dinner table conversations with a wonderful storyteller. Joe tells his story from start to finish: his early years growing up in New York and Ireland, the car wreck he barely survived as a teen, meeting his wife Georgine, having to deal with his younger daughter's deafness, and finally the struggle with Caitlyn's horrible diagnosis. This is an inspiring story of hope and faith; you will enjoy it greatly!
This is a touching, sweet memoir, and by the time you reach the end you will feel like Joe is an old friend. The book doesn't read like some sort of polished biography; it's more like a series of dinner table conversations with a wonderful storyteller. Joe tells his story from start to finish: his early years growing up in New York and Ireland, the car wreck he barely survived as a teen, meeting his wife Georgine, having to deal with his younger daughter's deafness, and finally the struggle with Caitlyn's horrible diagnosis. This is an inspiring story of hope and faith; you will enjoy it greatly!
December 4, 2015
Such an inspirational book! I couldn't put it down and read the book overnight. I was in awe of this family's strength and courage! The flow of the author's words makes you feel like the two of you are sitting on your back porch throwing back a few beers and as he tells his story. Eagerly awaiting his new book! In addition to praying for this family every night, I pray that our family can be touch by such strength, courage and hope!
November 18, 2015
Without a doubt, this book is an inspirational accounting of a family's journey with a child fighting cancer through the eyes of the father. It shares the highs and lows of every step within this journey and the devistating loss of a child. How a family can be inspired to go on with their lives after a loss so big. The author leaves nothing to the imagination, he clearly spells out every aspect of the family's life. I am surely hoping there will be a book number two in this author's journey.
November 17, 2015
While I am the author I thought this would be a great place to add a little more to the synopsis, there is only so much you can fit on the back of a paperback.
There is way more to it than can be described in a synopsis but to give you a better understanding Caitlyn was the most beautiful child any parent could wish for from God. Her strength was beyond words that can describe it although I think I did a pretty good job doing so in the book. Her type of cancer was so rare that it only effects 200 people WORLDWIDE each year and 95% of those who are diagnosed pass away from it within 2 years of diagnosis. To sum it up, she was given a few months to live and lasted 10 and a 1/2 months from day of diagnosis. As a parent or the actual patient you never lose that hope because if we don't have that we have nothing. Now I will always tell you we had our miracle with Caitlyn. I realized this and how simple miracles truly are after Caitlyn suffered from a bout with hepatic encephalopathy due to giving her chemo to try and combat the cancer. She started acting funny late at night on April 9th, 2009 and was completely out of her mind on April 10th. The hepatic encephalopathy caused her to slip into a coma in the early morning hours of April 11th which happens to be my wife's birthday. Later that night on April 11th I realized what our miracle was and it was that she didn't just pass away before we knew she was sick. We had this extra time with her that only God could give. It was a long recovery for her after this bout with hepatic encephalopathy but she did start to wake up on Sunday April 12th, 2009 and she called out daddy once that day. Now I was trying to avoid something like this happening on my wife's birthday who is also Caitlyn's mother. I mean think about it, Caitlyn wasn't likely to see her mother's birthday again and here we were what I was trying to avoid happened. If you check your calender you will see that April 12 was also Easter Sunday that year. You can draw your own conclusions on the timing. Needless to say I have been touched by God in many ways and that was just one example out of many in my book.
Enjoy the read!
There is way more to it than can be described in a synopsis but to give you a better understanding Caitlyn was the most beautiful child any parent could wish for from God. Her strength was beyond words that can describe it although I think I did a pretty good job doing so in the book. Her type of cancer was so rare that it only effects 200 people WORLDWIDE each year and 95% of those who are diagnosed pass away from it within 2 years of diagnosis. To sum it up, she was given a few months to live and lasted 10 and a 1/2 months from day of diagnosis. As a parent or the actual patient you never lose that hope because if we don't have that we have nothing. Now I will always tell you we had our miracle with Caitlyn. I realized this and how simple miracles truly are after Caitlyn suffered from a bout with hepatic encephalopathy due to giving her chemo to try and combat the cancer. She started acting funny late at night on April 9th, 2009 and was completely out of her mind on April 10th. The hepatic encephalopathy caused her to slip into a coma in the early morning hours of April 11th which happens to be my wife's birthday. Later that night on April 11th I realized what our miracle was and it was that she didn't just pass away before we knew she was sick. We had this extra time with her that only God could give. It was a long recovery for her after this bout with hepatic encephalopathy but she did start to wake up on Sunday April 12th, 2009 and she called out daddy once that day. Now I was trying to avoid something like this happening on my wife's birthday who is also Caitlyn's mother. I mean think about it, Caitlyn wasn't likely to see her mother's birthday again and here we were what I was trying to avoid happened. If you check your calender you will see that April 12 was also Easter Sunday that year. You can draw your own conclusions on the timing. Needless to say I have been touched by God in many ways and that was just one example out of many in my book.
Enjoy the read!
January 1, 2016
Mr. Bagnato is brave in sharing his story, and inspiring with the courage and openness he does so. His daughter Caitlyn must have been a wonderful blessing to have such a book be written about her. The message of a family inspiring hope is something we all yearn for and wish we would have if our luck was such as this. I'm sorry she suffered as she did, but grateful that her father had the strength and wisdom to write a book so her story can inspire others. I tell you honestly, I'm usually a Yankee hater happy to see them lose and not to fond of Alex Rodriguez, but after reading this book and hearing how Rodriquez interacted with Caitlyn, I softened on the guy. Joe's writing is an act of healing and a work of inspiration. I'd love to read further works from the author and look forward to hearing more from him!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews