Camp Chemo: Postcards Home from Metastatic Breast Cancer

by Camille Scheel

Young, vibrant, and very much alive, Camille Scheel shares her true tale of living with uncertainty. Through journalistic updates dubbed “Postcards from Camp Chemo,” Scheel communicates her unfiltered hopes, struggles, and successes in the face of what many people fear most. With astounding fortitude and grit, and often with a surprising sense of humor, Scheel shows us that light shines in even the darkest of hours if only we know where to look. Written with tenderness and wisdom, Camp Chemo presents insights for anyone—with or without cancer

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This realistic depiction of a woman’s fight against breast cancer is not filled with overwhelming statistics, detailed descriptions of medications, or documented step-by-step procedures. Instead, Camille Scheel offers her emotional and physical reactions to metastatic breast cancer. Her story will help both cancer sufferers and caregiving understand diagnoses, treatment, and support systems.

[Carol E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is from Minnesota. At the age of 38 in 2007 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began writing posts at Caring Bridge. This book is a compilation of those posts. She goes through difficult treatments and side effects, then as she is beginning to hope for an improved life, her cancer metastasizes. She agonizes over treatments, continuing to work as she is able, and attempting to carry her weight as a partner in marriage and raising young children.

Throughout her ordeal she tries to learn from the struggles and keep a positive outlook. I am sure this was a great help to her children. They seemed to be keen on fundraising for cancer research.

The book ends in about 2014. It's a sad story, and when I Googled her name, I found her obituary from 2017, which made it sadder. When she died her children were about 16 and 10.