This is Cancer

by Laura Holmes Haddad

Cancer is indiscriminate. It cares little for class, creed or color. Its patients are literally everywhere. When Laura Holmes Haddad was diagnosed, she discovered shelf upon shelf of overly-earnest, somber, gray survival books, and knew there had to be a better way. This Is Cancer is the thoughtful, informative fabulous-looking result for those who prefer their pathos with equal parts humor and reality and a touch of flair. A “what to expect when you’re expecting” book for the diagnosis you don’t want but are stuck with, This Is Cancer is the book that patients keep in their “heading to the hospital bag,” because it’s the only one that tells them what’s going on and keeps them company.

Including such useful snippets as:

• There is no limit to what you will put yourself through when told it might save your life.
• Stay away from the Internet. And don’t let anyone tell you “what they looked up” about your diagnosis.
• You’ll be surrounded by people but you’ll feel lonely, and alone, sometimes.
• Lexapro is Tylenol for the soul.
• If you don’t like your doctor(s), find new ones. You will feel somewhat at the mercy of them, like they hold the key to your mortality, but in fact more than one doctor can potentially save you and some are nice and some are mean.

Whether you or your loved ones want a primer full of useful information in an easy to reference format or a friendly and comforting read, the honest, grave, and mordantly funny stories and tips from young survivors will bring you the real intel and advice that you need most during this tremendously difficult time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help

337 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2016

About the author

Laura Holmes Haddad is a writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. A graduate of Smith College and the California Culinary Academy, Laura spent four years as an assistant cookbook editor at Simon & Schuster in New York City. Her freelance career focused on wine and food and she has co-authored numerous cookbooks and lifestyle titles.
Laura was diagnosed with Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer in 2012 at the age of 37 and is currently in remission. As she transitions from patient to survivor, Laura has started work as a patient advocate and speaker.
After her cancer battle, Laura set out to share all the details of her journey she learned along the way that she knew would help other patients, their families, and caregivers. Big details (like second opinions, finances, and clinical drug trials) and seemingly small details (like parenting while in treatment, getting ready for surgery, and coping with PTSD) are discussed from a patient’s perspective. The result is This is Cancer: Everything You Need to Know from the Waiting Room to the Bedroom, which will be released in October 2016 by Hachette Book Group/Seal Press.
Laura resides in Northern California with her husband, daughter, son, and a Dalmatian where she can be found cooking, reading, paddle boarding, and swinging on a rope swing.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) A stage IV inflammatory breast cancer survivor, Laura Holmes Haddad wrote the “What to Expect” guide she wishes she could have found at the time of her diagnosis in 2012. Throughout this comprehensive, well-structured book, she uses her own experience to set out practical advice for dealing with the everyday medical and emotional realities of cancer. On the technical side, she gives an alphabetical glossary of “Cancerspeak” vocabulary, as well as explanations of different types of scans, chemo drugs, radiation treatments, methods of coping with pain, and options for reconstruction surgery. But she also goes deep into the less obvious aspects of the disease, like hidden financial costs, little-known side effects, and complications that could affect your sleep and travel. Her tips range from the dead simple—bring your own pen for filling out hundreds of pages of forms; schedule little pick-me-ups like a mini-makeover—to major issues like marriage and parenting with cancer.

“Don’t be surprised if this thing—this cancer road trip—leads to places you never could have imagined,” Holmes Haddad writes. “I’m trying to pay it forward to other patients, to help ease some angst, to comfort.” You might be surprised to learn that this is a very pleasant read. It fluidly mixes anecdote with facts and maintains an appropriate tone: forthright and reassuring yet wry, as in the ‘Devil’s Dictionary’ type translations (“DOCTOR: ‘You might feel some discomfort.’ MEANING: ‘This will hurt like hell.’”).

No cancer patient should be without this book. That statement needs no qualifying. Yes, it might be geared more towards women, specifically breast cancer patients, and there’s some U.S.-specific information about health insurance, but much of the guidance is universally applicable. Whether for yourself or to help a family member or friend, you’ll want a copy.

My thanks to publicist Eva Zimmerman for the free e-copy for review.

Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Holmes Haddad shares her cancer journey, writing in an easy going conversational style and including practical advice and resources. She shares her story as if we are friends she cares about and she wants us to know what to expect when facing cancer. She provides us with tangible ways to cope with the reality of cancer, its treatment, the side effects of treatment and how our relationships may change along this journey in the fight for our lives, or the lives of our loved ones.

There is something here for everyone, whether you are on your own cancer journey, or walking alongside someone you care for. There is even a recipe for " The Most Delicious Ginger Cookies in the World" along with guides on what to say and what to definitely not say to someone who is living with cancer. Reading chapter nine's subtitle, "Parenting with cancer, or packing lunches while bald," caused me to take a sharp intake of breath. Traveling advice included, "Pack something from home that comforts you."

One guide is titled, "Quotes that Won't Irritate You," which was compiled from the multitude of "inspirational" quotes people sent the author. My favorite of the quotes listed is: "Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. ~ Emory Austin."

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know what I would have done without this book. I’m navigating this for my father who was recently diagnosed, I appreciate how it’s organized - I was able to skim through what didn’t apply and what did! The author wrote this book in such a readable manner, she broke down terms I wouldn’t comprehend otherwise!!

I loved the following advice:
- Passport for Cancer Patients: Make a cheat sheet and bring a pen to take notes to your appointments! Stuff like what medicine you take.. family illnesses.
- Off the Clock: Work and Cancer: Cancer is protected under the ADA!
- Scans, Pokes and Pricks: Request a copy of scans!
- Surgery: The entire chapter. I do not know what I would have done without this chapter. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[Beverly MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're newly-diagnosed with cancer, or looking for a gift for someone who is, this book is perfect. 'This is Cancer' provides an overview of what to expect during hospital stays, testing, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, recovery and more. Ms. Holmes Haddad defines the medical jargon and provides practical survival tips with humor and a cancer survivor's experienced know-how. It's a road map for your Cancerland road trip!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. A must read if you have received a cancer diagnosis or if you are a caregiver of someone who was diagnosed. I have gifted many friends with this.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice book for a woman facing a cancer diagnosis. Laura talks to the reader like a girlfriend, and she helps to lay out a lot of good information in an accessible way.

[Melanie Schramm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to help me cope with what my dad is going through. How extremely touching and eye-opening from one person’s experience with cancer. Many, many tears and many new understandings.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer (stage2B) in October and I happened across this audio book on Overdrive through the library. I listened to it and thought it was helpful, with good, pretty up-to-date information by a fellow patient rather than a doctor so I sent her a copy of the e-book. She read it the weekend she got it and said although it "scared the s*#t" out of her, the information about what to do, ask, and expect was really good and helpful. The author (a stage4 breast cancer survivor) narrates the audio and I like her dry sense of humor and how she clearly explains concepts for the new patient or caregiver. Although I live away from my sister, it helps me to feel closer to her and her care as she goes through this battle, so a worthwhile read if you have cancer or are close to someone who does.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book for anyone who has cancer or is caring for someone who does. It is filled with honest and practical advice on every aspect one could possibly encounter dealing with cancer. I read this copy from my local library but I will be purchasing a copy of this for myself.