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First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
An inspirational real life cancer memoir of a family's journey and the impossible miracle that led to their son's becoming a childhood cancer survivor. This is a thriller about a family’s battle to save their toddler son from a “zero chance of survival” diagnosis. With the world’s best doctors and the advocacy of his parents, Louis Unger would fight a 5-year battle for his young life. His grit and incredible attitude led to a breakthrough that would change how cancer is treated today. This is not a medical journal or a how-to guide. It is a true page-turner that gives you a front row seat to a miraculous story of courage, inspiration and determination. All proceeds from this book will go to the Carrot Seed Foundation where they will be used to fund Neuroblastoma clinical trials and support the children and families who are stricken by this disease.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 24, 2018
The Unger’s endured every parent’s worst nightmare when their young son, age three, was diagnosed with cancer and given a 0% chance of survival. But the world of medicine is ever changing and with dedicated patient advocates like parents Mark and Mary Ellen, combined with the best doctors in this country willing to try something new, Louis Unger is cancer free and will be turning 20 this year. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, Mark Unger skillfully tells the story of his family, the love and support they have for each other pours off the pages as he navigates the specifics of the deadly cancer his son endured, and ultimately Lou’s victory as the First Survivor. I highly recommend this inspiring true story and recommend it to anyone who is faced with, or knows someone with a medical challenge.
For more reviews please visit https://booknationbyjen.wordpress.com.
For more reviews please visit https://booknationbyjen.wordpress.com.
April 14, 2018
This is definitely a story of pure strength. When you're confronted with the illness of a child, with neuroblastoma, I can only imagine how hard and fast your world collapses right around you. It influences every aspect of your life and makes you want to stand up and fight, but crawl away and hide all at the same time.
Although this novel is written in a fairly distant voice - or so it felt like to me - the general message is clear: Enjoy every day you have. You never know when life's going to turn around and get hard, harder than ever before.
I loved how this story, although written in a more scientific voice, still oozes a message of love, hope and importance of family. It shows that a brilliant support system is needed in the most difficult of situations - being family, friends, colleagues and the medical staff. Every small token of support is appreciated as if it's the biggest support ever.
I admire the Unger family for going through the hardships they had to deal with and I am glad I got to read their story. It's one that will stick with me for a long, long time to come. I hope people reading this will understand the message it brings. I hope readers will find solace, even if it's only the tiniest bit, in the Unger's story should they be going through the same hardships in life.
I hope people read this and realize even the smallest gestures can be an other person's world.
Although this novel is written in a fairly distant voice - or so it felt like to me - the general message is clear: Enjoy every day you have. You never know when life's going to turn around and get hard, harder than ever before.
I loved how this story, although written in a more scientific voice, still oozes a message of love, hope and importance of family. It shows that a brilliant support system is needed in the most difficult of situations - being family, friends, colleagues and the medical staff. Every small token of support is appreciated as if it's the biggest support ever.
I admire the Unger family for going through the hardships they had to deal with and I am glad I got to read their story. It's one that will stick with me for a long, long time to come. I hope people reading this will understand the message it brings. I hope readers will find solace, even if it's only the tiniest bit, in the Unger's story should they be going through the same hardships in life.
I hope people read this and realize even the smallest gestures can be an other person's world.
February 6, 2020
Three year old Lou Unger was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer. He was fortunate that his parents became thoroughly obsessed in researching the best pediatric oncologist and hospital for Lou. Sloan Kettering in New York was chosen and Dr. Kushner became his doctor. The brilliance of the staff and the dogged perseverance of the parents can be attributed to saving the life of this child. This book is outstanding. I have learned an incredible amount of information about cancer and its treatment from this book. I believe this book is an important read.
December 4, 2018
"First Survivor" by Mark Unger is the extraordinary story of his son Louis, who at age three, is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called "Neuroblastoma" and is diagnosed with a zero chance of survival when the cancer spreads to his brain.
Mr. Unger and his wife Mary Ellen refuse to give up on their son and as a final resort join a trial at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC where 3F8 antibodies 8H9 antibodies circumvents the brain's barrier and are released into the fluid surrounding the brain and attack and kill all remaining cancer cells.
The story starts with Louis first being diagnosed on Thanksgiving 2001 and is finally declared cured in March 2008. During that time the child is put through hundreds of treatments that are in many ways might be considered cruel, but which in the end are all part of the cure. Louis is one hell of a courageous boy and his parents, doctors, family members, and friends play a major part in his recovery and cure.
Mr. Unger writing is clear and concise and never once did I find myself lost or unable to understand certain procedures and terms. The procedures and treatments used on Louis to cure the cancer were in some ways experimental and in some cases were only in the trial stages. One procedure was actually named after the young patient, and because of its success children suffering from this terrible disease have upward to a sixty percent cure rate at the present time...an amazing leap thanks to the doctors, researchers, and personnel who have dedicated their lives to the treatment and cure of children with cancers. Real Heroes!!!!
Mr. Unger and his wife Mary Ellen refuse to give up on their son and as a final resort join a trial at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC where 3F8 antibodies 8H9 antibodies circumvents the brain's barrier and are released into the fluid surrounding the brain and attack and kill all remaining cancer cells.
The story starts with Louis first being diagnosed on Thanksgiving 2001 and is finally declared cured in March 2008. During that time the child is put through hundreds of treatments that are in many ways might be considered cruel, but which in the end are all part of the cure. Louis is one hell of a courageous boy and his parents, doctors, family members, and friends play a major part in his recovery and cure.
Mr. Unger writing is clear and concise and never once did I find myself lost or unable to understand certain procedures and terms. The procedures and treatments used on Louis to cure the cancer were in some ways experimental and in some cases were only in the trial stages. One procedure was actually named after the young patient, and because of its success children suffering from this terrible disease have upward to a sixty percent cure rate at the present time...an amazing leap thanks to the doctors, researchers, and personnel who have dedicated their lives to the treatment and cure of children with cancers. Real Heroes!!!!
June 6, 2024
Great story, could've been written a lot better.
Neuroblastoma is a type of pediatric cancer that is, in and of itself, difficult enough to treat and live through. Add to this that if it relapses as a tumor in the brain, the chances of survival disappear to almost zero. "First Survivor" is the story of the first child to beat those odds.
Louis Unger was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is a type of cancer that forms in budding nerve cells. His family noticed how his personality began to change from a lively and compassionate child to a listless, tired and irritable shadow of his former self. Then, he began to limp and complain of pains. The family's Thanksgiving holiday of 2001 was completely overtaken by a parent's worst nightmare: a cancer diagnosis. And not only was it cancer, but it was already Stage 4. What follows is an account of the family's 5 year battle for Louis' life.
Mark Unger, Louis' dad and the author of the book, discovers how to process and live with their new life through writing; taking notes, writing letters to family, friends and colleagues. He researches and communicates with various doctors around the country and comes to fight this disease with knowledge, preparedness and objectivity. His insights through his writing and research and participation in online forums enable him to amass the weapons needed to fight this disease, with the best allies possible, and save Louis' life.
Louis' mother, Mary Ellen, fights the enemy attacking her family the way only a mother can: physical, mental and emotional nurturing. She plays games with Louis as he is being poked and prodded with increasingly more intimidating objects and during loud and intrusive exams and procedures. She turns each surgery, test and scan into a battle against the bad guys invading Louis' body, helping him process what is happening to him in a way that a 3 year old can understand. She goes through great lengths to make sure their eldest son doesn't feel forgotten or unloved and devises means for the family to be together against protocols that would've otherwise isolated them from each other. She is determined to make every day life as normal as possible and, in doing so, not only supports her kids during the immediate situation but plants the seeds of strength to face any obstacle in their future.
But Louis teaches the adults a thing or two himself. He shows a resilience and a quiet strength that continuously astounds family, nurses and doctors. He has a tolerance to pain that shocks them as well and a spirit that refuses to be beaten. Never once feeling sorry for himself, he rises to the challenge. He faces procedures that would bring an adult to their knees in pain, hardly making a sound. He endures depleting radiation, sickening medications and changes to his body that most adults would find physically draining and soul-crushing. At a time when a person is at their most vulnerable, Louis proves to be the strongest of them all, never losing his sense of humor, his smile or his spirit. Not only does Louis beat this disease but he paves the way for a brand new systematic treatment plan, named after him, that forges the way under which neuroblastoma relapses are treated today.
I both loved and not loved this book. The story itself is enveloping, the family's love for each other heartwarming, and what they are put through, crushing. However, I did not like the way this book was written. It is very clear that author intended to use his notes as the basis for the book, which is fine, but it doesn't divert much from that in the style of writing. It is written not so much as a first-person account, walking with you through the story and experiencing everything along with the family, as it is a "this is what happened and when" type of book. The book is also in sore need of a competent editor; sentences are unclear and redundant at times, and there are one or two instances of a sentence breaking off in the middle, going to the next paragraph. The reader doesn't know if that really was the end of that sentence or if the new paragraph was indeed the rest of the previous sentence. Punctuation is atrocious, being worse in the first half of the book, and there's more than a few sentences that should be rewritten altogether so as to flow more along with the story and be less obfuscating.
There are also a few times where what the author says is short-sighted and maybe a little judgmental. The author describes how he learns that blood can be drawn from more than one place. He immediately associates this to drug addicts who search for hidden areas to inject drugs and how he hates equating drug addicts shooting up with the procedure his son is going through. This jump in comparing two completely unrelated procedures reveals a bias that doesn't serve the author well at all.
I do appreciate hearing from others in this book, namely the doctors and surgeons who were closest to Louis. Hearing the words from these professionals highlights the fact that, no matter how smart or successful a person might be, there are people out there that are no less than heroes and they are not in Hollywood or part of a sports franchise. These people are highly intelligent, compassionate and extremely hard working. Some of the surgeons we meet in this book perform ten surgeries in a week! It makes the reader humbled and grateful that they exist. Imagine how this family felt.
I gave this book 2 out of 4 stars, or 3 out of 5, not as a reflection of the Unger family's story but holistically as a reflection of the writing style and lack of adequate editing. If you get past these issues, you will find this a book about an extraordinary little boy and a testimony to the genius of the pediatric cancer doctors and surgeons who are the unsung heroes, along with Louis, of this story.
Neuroblastoma is a type of pediatric cancer that is, in and of itself, difficult enough to treat and live through. Add to this that if it relapses as a tumor in the brain, the chances of survival disappear to almost zero. "First Survivor" is the story of the first child to beat those odds.
Louis Unger was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is a type of cancer that forms in budding nerve cells. His family noticed how his personality began to change from a lively and compassionate child to a listless, tired and irritable shadow of his former self. Then, he began to limp and complain of pains. The family's Thanksgiving holiday of 2001 was completely overtaken by a parent's worst nightmare: a cancer diagnosis. And not only was it cancer, but it was already Stage 4. What follows is an account of the family's 5 year battle for Louis' life.
Mark Unger, Louis' dad and the author of the book, discovers how to process and live with their new life through writing; taking notes, writing letters to family, friends and colleagues. He researches and communicates with various doctors around the country and comes to fight this disease with knowledge, preparedness and objectivity. His insights through his writing and research and participation in online forums enable him to amass the weapons needed to fight this disease, with the best allies possible, and save Louis' life.
Louis' mother, Mary Ellen, fights the enemy attacking her family the way only a mother can: physical, mental and emotional nurturing. She plays games with Louis as he is being poked and prodded with increasingly more intimidating objects and during loud and intrusive exams and procedures. She turns each surgery, test and scan into a battle against the bad guys invading Louis' body, helping him process what is happening to him in a way that a 3 year old can understand. She goes through great lengths to make sure their eldest son doesn't feel forgotten or unloved and devises means for the family to be together against protocols that would've otherwise isolated them from each other. She is determined to make every day life as normal as possible and, in doing so, not only supports her kids during the immediate situation but plants the seeds of strength to face any obstacle in their future.
But Louis teaches the adults a thing or two himself. He shows a resilience and a quiet strength that continuously astounds family, nurses and doctors. He has a tolerance to pain that shocks them as well and a spirit that refuses to be beaten. Never once feeling sorry for himself, he rises to the challenge. He faces procedures that would bring an adult to their knees in pain, hardly making a sound. He endures depleting radiation, sickening medications and changes to his body that most adults would find physically draining and soul-crushing. At a time when a person is at their most vulnerable, Louis proves to be the strongest of them all, never losing his sense of humor, his smile or his spirit. Not only does Louis beat this disease but he paves the way for a brand new systematic treatment plan, named after him, that forges the way under which neuroblastoma relapses are treated today.
I both loved and not loved this book. The story itself is enveloping, the family's love for each other heartwarming, and what they are put through, crushing. However, I did not like the way this book was written. It is very clear that author intended to use his notes as the basis for the book, which is fine, but it doesn't divert much from that in the style of writing. It is written not so much as a first-person account, walking with you through the story and experiencing everything along with the family, as it is a "this is what happened and when" type of book. The book is also in sore need of a competent editor; sentences are unclear and redundant at times, and there are one or two instances of a sentence breaking off in the middle, going to the next paragraph. The reader doesn't know if that really was the end of that sentence or if the new paragraph was indeed the rest of the previous sentence. Punctuation is atrocious, being worse in the first half of the book, and there's more than a few sentences that should be rewritten altogether so as to flow more along with the story and be less obfuscating.
There are also a few times where what the author says is short-sighted and maybe a little judgmental. The author describes how he learns that blood can be drawn from more than one place. He immediately associates this to drug addicts who search for hidden areas to inject drugs and how he hates equating drug addicts shooting up with the procedure his son is going through. This jump in comparing two completely unrelated procedures reveals a bias that doesn't serve the author well at all.
I do appreciate hearing from others in this book, namely the doctors and surgeons who were closest to Louis. Hearing the words from these professionals highlights the fact that, no matter how smart or successful a person might be, there are people out there that are no less than heroes and they are not in Hollywood or part of a sports franchise. These people are highly intelligent, compassionate and extremely hard working. Some of the surgeons we meet in this book perform ten surgeries in a week! It makes the reader humbled and grateful that they exist. Imagine how this family felt.
I gave this book 2 out of 4 stars, or 3 out of 5, not as a reflection of the Unger family's story but holistically as a reflection of the writing style and lack of adequate editing. If you get past these issues, you will find this a book about an extraordinary little boy and a testimony to the genius of the pediatric cancer doctors and surgeons who are the unsung heroes, along with Louis, of this story.
January 22, 2025
Neuroblastoma is a type of pediatric cancer that is, in and of itself, difficult enough to treat and live through. Add to this that if it relapses as a tumor in the brain, the chances of survival disappear to almost zero. "First Survivor" is the story of the first child to beat those odds.
Louis Unger was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is a type of cancer that forms in budding nerve cells. His family noticed how his personality began to change from a lively and compassionate child to a listless, tired, and irritable shadow of his former self. Then, he began to limp and complain of pain. The family's Thanksgiving holiday of 2001 was completely overtaken by a parent's worst nightmare: a cancer diagnosis. And not only was it cancer, but it was already Stage 4. What follows is an account of the family's 5-year battle for Louis' life.
Mark Unger, Louis' dad and the book's author, discovers how to process and live with their new life through writing, taking notes, and writing letters to family, friends, and colleagues. He researches and communicates with various doctors around the country and comes to fight this disease with knowledge, preparedness, and objectivity. His insights through his writing, research, and participation in online forums enable him to amass the weapons needed to fight this disease with the best allies possible and save Louis' life.
Louis' mother, Mary Ellen, fights the enemy that attacks her family the way only a mother can: physical, mental, and emotional nurturing. She plays games with Louis as he is poked and prodded with increasingly more intimidating objects during loud and intrusive exams and procedures. She turns each surgery, test, and scan into a battle against the bad guys invading Louis' body, helping him process what is happening to him in a way that a 3-year-old can understand. She goes to great lengths to make sure their eldest son doesn't feel forgotten or unloved, and devises means for the family to be together against protocols that would've otherwise isolated them from each other. She is determined to make everyday life as normal as possible and, in doing so, not only supports her kids during the immediate situation but plants the seeds of strength to face any obstacle in their future.
But Louis teaches the adults a thing or two himself. He shows resilience and a quiet strength that continuously astounds family, nurses, and doctors. He has a tolerance to pain that shocks them as well and a spirit that refuses to be beaten. Never once feeling sorry for himself, he rises to the challenge. He faces procedures that would bring an adult to their knees in pain, hardly making a sound. He endures depleting radiation, sickening medications, and changes to his body that most adults would find physically draining and soul-crushing. At a time when a person is at their most vulnerable, Louis proves to be the strongest of them all, never losing his sense of humor, his smile, or his spirit. Not only does Louis beat this disease, but he paves the way for a brand new systematic treatment plan, named after him, that forges the way under which neuroblastoma relapses are treated today.
I both loved and did not love this book. The story itself is enveloping, the family's love for each other heartwarming, and what they are put through is crushing. However, I did not like the way this book was written. It is very clear that the author intended to use his notes as the basis for the book, which is fine, but it doesn't divert much from that in the style of writing. It is written not so much as a first-person account, walking with you through the story and experiencing everything along with the family, but it reads as a "this is what happened and when" type of book. The book is also in sore need of a competent editor; sentences are unclear and redundant at times, and there are one or two instances of a sentence breaking off in the middle, going to the next paragraph. The reader doesn't know if that was the end of that sentence or if the new paragraph was the rest of the previous sentence. Punctuation is atrocious, being worse in the first half of the book, and there are more than a few sentences that should be rewritten altogether in order to flow more along with the story and be less obfuscating.
There are also a few times when what the author says is short-sighted and maybe a little judgmental. The author describes how he learns that blood can be drawn from between toes and other places less noticeable in the body. This is a procedure that a person will have to endure many times, and this is the perspective the nurse, I believe, was coming from. He immediately associates this to drug addicts who search for hidden areas to inject drugs and how he hates equating drug addicts shooting up with the procedure his son is going through. This jump in comparing two completely unrelated procedures reveals a bias that doesn't serve the author well at all.
I appreciate hearing from others in this book, namely the doctors and surgeons closest to Louis. Hearing these professionals' words highlights that, no matter how smart or successful a person might be, there are people out there that are no less than heroes and they are not in Hollywood or part of a sports franchise. These people are highly intelligent, compassionate, and extremely hard-working. Some of the surgeons we meet in this book perform ten surgeries in one week! It makes the reader humbled and grateful that they exist. Imagine how this family felt.
I gave this book 2 out of 4 stars, or 3 out of 5, not as a reflection of the Unger family's story but holistically as a reflection of the writing style and lack of adequate editing. If you get past these issues, you will find this a book about an extraordinary little boy and a testimony to the genius of the pediatric cancer doctors and surgeons who are the unsung heroes, along with Louis, of this story.
Louis Unger was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is a type of cancer that forms in budding nerve cells. His family noticed how his personality began to change from a lively and compassionate child to a listless, tired, and irritable shadow of his former self. Then, he began to limp and complain of pain. The family's Thanksgiving holiday of 2001 was completely overtaken by a parent's worst nightmare: a cancer diagnosis. And not only was it cancer, but it was already Stage 4. What follows is an account of the family's 5-year battle for Louis' life.
Mark Unger, Louis' dad and the book's author, discovers how to process and live with their new life through writing, taking notes, and writing letters to family, friends, and colleagues. He researches and communicates with various doctors around the country and comes to fight this disease with knowledge, preparedness, and objectivity. His insights through his writing, research, and participation in online forums enable him to amass the weapons needed to fight this disease with the best allies possible and save Louis' life.
Louis' mother, Mary Ellen, fights the enemy that attacks her family the way only a mother can: physical, mental, and emotional nurturing. She plays games with Louis as he is poked and prodded with increasingly more intimidating objects during loud and intrusive exams and procedures. She turns each surgery, test, and scan into a battle against the bad guys invading Louis' body, helping him process what is happening to him in a way that a 3-year-old can understand. She goes to great lengths to make sure their eldest son doesn't feel forgotten or unloved, and devises means for the family to be together against protocols that would've otherwise isolated them from each other. She is determined to make everyday life as normal as possible and, in doing so, not only supports her kids during the immediate situation but plants the seeds of strength to face any obstacle in their future.
But Louis teaches the adults a thing or two himself. He shows resilience and a quiet strength that continuously astounds family, nurses, and doctors. He has a tolerance to pain that shocks them as well and a spirit that refuses to be beaten. Never once feeling sorry for himself, he rises to the challenge. He faces procedures that would bring an adult to their knees in pain, hardly making a sound. He endures depleting radiation, sickening medications, and changes to his body that most adults would find physically draining and soul-crushing. At a time when a person is at their most vulnerable, Louis proves to be the strongest of them all, never losing his sense of humor, his smile, or his spirit. Not only does Louis beat this disease, but he paves the way for a brand new systematic treatment plan, named after him, that forges the way under which neuroblastoma relapses are treated today.
I both loved and did not love this book. The story itself is enveloping, the family's love for each other heartwarming, and what they are put through is crushing. However, I did not like the way this book was written. It is very clear that the author intended to use his notes as the basis for the book, which is fine, but it doesn't divert much from that in the style of writing. It is written not so much as a first-person account, walking with you through the story and experiencing everything along with the family, but it reads as a "this is what happened and when" type of book. The book is also in sore need of a competent editor; sentences are unclear and redundant at times, and there are one or two instances of a sentence breaking off in the middle, going to the next paragraph. The reader doesn't know if that was the end of that sentence or if the new paragraph was the rest of the previous sentence. Punctuation is atrocious, being worse in the first half of the book, and there are more than a few sentences that should be rewritten altogether in order to flow more along with the story and be less obfuscating.
There are also a few times when what the author says is short-sighted and maybe a little judgmental. The author describes how he learns that blood can be drawn from between toes and other places less noticeable in the body. This is a procedure that a person will have to endure many times, and this is the perspective the nurse, I believe, was coming from. He immediately associates this to drug addicts who search for hidden areas to inject drugs and how he hates equating drug addicts shooting up with the procedure his son is going through. This jump in comparing two completely unrelated procedures reveals a bias that doesn't serve the author well at all.
I appreciate hearing from others in this book, namely the doctors and surgeons closest to Louis. Hearing these professionals' words highlights that, no matter how smart or successful a person might be, there are people out there that are no less than heroes and they are not in Hollywood or part of a sports franchise. These people are highly intelligent, compassionate, and extremely hard-working. Some of the surgeons we meet in this book perform ten surgeries in one week! It makes the reader humbled and grateful that they exist. Imagine how this family felt.
I gave this book 2 out of 4 stars, or 3 out of 5, not as a reflection of the Unger family's story but holistically as a reflection of the writing style and lack of adequate editing. If you get past these issues, you will find this a book about an extraordinary little boy and a testimony to the genius of the pediatric cancer doctors and surgeons who are the unsung heroes, along with Louis, of this story.
August 18, 2026
Well, I needed some extra encouragement and inspiration to organize my really messy closet. So I grabbed my phone quickly to look for some music to play. Somehow I ended up on the Audible app and couldn't resist the precious smile on the front cover. What a sweet blessing!! I pressed play and heard the true grit of the Unger family emerge. Their family faced an unfortunate health situation over many years. Louie was grateful for having parents that pay very close attention to his subtle changes. Honestly, it's the only reason they were able to even know something was going on with their son underneath his sweet smile. So when their little three-year-old son Louie started walking differently. It made them take notice of other symptoms occurring. When an initial diagnosis of Perthes Syndrome transforms into something way more scary, this family hangs onto one another tighter than ever. Mary Ellen and her husband do whatever it takes to alleviate the discomfort of their toddler son. Whether it was in easy tasks of hand-holding or harder moments of sitting bedside during medical procedures. The Unger family experienced an overnight change from great and routine to discouraging and awful. They remained Louie's extension of strength, hope, joy, endurance, courage, and most of all love! Husband/father Mark took on the role of note taker. His wife/mom Mary Ellen became the family manager. These small yet significant roles allowed both parents to grasp a little bit of control in a season of years where they had no control whatsoever. Overwhelmed by all the emotions, appointments, medicines, family separation, tests, etc., fear, worry, hopelessness, and exhaustion consumed them all at some point. Louie's parents also did their best to keep things somewhat normal for their other son back at home, Harry. Only a few years apart, but now his little brother is sick all the time. It couldn't have been easy watching him struggle instead of playing like they'd both been used to doing. I loved hearing the family's hospital suitcase visiting prank, so the brothers could see one another. It really had me chuckling and crying at the same time. I know the boys missed and worried about one another so much. It was so sweet to hear the medical staff and family most of all have a little light in this dark season. As you listen to or read First Survivor each day. Go back and love your own family greater than you ever did before. Not with perfection, though just love them better than the day before with hugs, uninterrupted time together, laughter, board games, reading stories, reminisce about your own childhood, and let faith guide you all closer through every up and down. Agape love is the only thing that gets you through it all! As I listened, I couldn't stop thinking of my own family when we were faced with our own scary seasons of health challenges. It turns your whole life upside down. But also makes you value the gift of life even more than you ever did before. Suddenly, the small things that seemed to drive you up the wall all the yesterdays are no longer very important. When you see your loved ones tackling debilitating medical scares and side effects. All you want to do is love on them and pray relentlessly until you see your breakthroughs. I hope and pray this book offers you some comfort and refreshes you for the battles ahead. I will continue to keep Louie and his family in my prayers. Thanks for telling your story!
August 3, 2018
'There are no dead ends, only new paths.’
Connecticut author Mark Unger, born in Germany, moved to the US, eared his degree from Babson in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and joined his family’s cutlery manufacturing business. He now is a Director and Owner of his family business, Unger Global. This is his writing debut – a sensitive memoir of his son’s diagnosis and survival with glioblastomoa and ‘all proceeds from this book will go to the Carrot Seed Foundation where they will be used to fund Neuroblastoma clinical trials and support the children and families who are stricken by this disease.’
The summary of the book reads, ‘An inspirational real life cancer memoir of a family's journey and the impossible miracle that led to their son's becoming a childhood cancer survivor. This is a real life thriller about a family’s battle to save their toddler son from a “zero chance of survival” diagnosis. With the world’s best doctors and the advocacy of his parents, Louis Unger would fight a 5-year battle for his young life. His grit and incredible attitude led to a breakthrough that would change how cancer is treated today. This is not a medical journal or a how-to guide. It is a true page-turner that gives you a front row seat to a miraculous story of courage, inspiration and determination.’
And while this summary addresses the topic it does not begin to touch the degree of sensitivity of Mark’s writing that takes us form day one of altered symptoms in Louis though his many examinations by superb physicians and the sophisticated tests that eventually unveiled the diagnosis of ganglioneuroblastoma. Mark’s daily diary captures the drama of the medical aspects of this rare diagnosis, the many pharmacologic agents tried in succession, and the gradual discovery of a treatment that in time proved a miracle recovery, but even more important is the documentation of Mark’s family’s devoted care of Louis and Louis’ indefatigable personality that played a major role in this recovery.
This is a volume that pays homage to a family, a child, medicine, and faith that survival is possible when the team includes not only the medical profession but especially the family support and the patient’s positive determination to survive. It is illuminating and tender and educational and wins our hearts. The intensely intelligent diary moves us from 2001 (illness) through diagnosis and multiple treatments to the final recovery in 2008. Mark offers all the medical terms, references, the pharmacological agents – all in a manner that is exceptionally accessible to the reader. This is a fine book worthy of honors and most worthy of reading by any family struggling with what may seem like impossible odds with a medical diagnosis. Highly recommended.
Connecticut author Mark Unger, born in Germany, moved to the US, eared his degree from Babson in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and joined his family’s cutlery manufacturing business. He now is a Director and Owner of his family business, Unger Global. This is his writing debut – a sensitive memoir of his son’s diagnosis and survival with glioblastomoa and ‘all proceeds from this book will go to the Carrot Seed Foundation where they will be used to fund Neuroblastoma clinical trials and support the children and families who are stricken by this disease.’
The summary of the book reads, ‘An inspirational real life cancer memoir of a family's journey and the impossible miracle that led to their son's becoming a childhood cancer survivor. This is a real life thriller about a family’s battle to save their toddler son from a “zero chance of survival” diagnosis. With the world’s best doctors and the advocacy of his parents, Louis Unger would fight a 5-year battle for his young life. His grit and incredible attitude led to a breakthrough that would change how cancer is treated today. This is not a medical journal or a how-to guide. It is a true page-turner that gives you a front row seat to a miraculous story of courage, inspiration and determination.’
And while this summary addresses the topic it does not begin to touch the degree of sensitivity of Mark’s writing that takes us form day one of altered symptoms in Louis though his many examinations by superb physicians and the sophisticated tests that eventually unveiled the diagnosis of ganglioneuroblastoma. Mark’s daily diary captures the drama of the medical aspects of this rare diagnosis, the many pharmacologic agents tried in succession, and the gradual discovery of a treatment that in time proved a miracle recovery, but even more important is the documentation of Mark’s family’s devoted care of Louis and Louis’ indefatigable personality that played a major role in this recovery.
This is a volume that pays homage to a family, a child, medicine, and faith that survival is possible when the team includes not only the medical profession but especially the family support and the patient’s positive determination to survive. It is illuminating and tender and educational and wins our hearts. The intensely intelligent diary moves us from 2001 (illness) through diagnosis and multiple treatments to the final recovery in 2008. Mark offers all the medical terms, references, the pharmacological agents – all in a manner that is exceptionally accessible to the reader. This is a fine book worthy of honors and most worthy of reading by any family struggling with what may seem like impossible odds with a medical diagnosis. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2026
5.0 out of 5 stars
A father’s fight that will stay with you
First Survivor by Mark Unger is a memoir about the author’s family journey after their three-year-old son, Louis, is diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly form of childhood cancer.
Narrated from a father’s point of view, the book follows the challenges of fighting the disease. Life shifts from planning holidays to spending days in hospital hallways, carrying the emotional, medical, and financial burden of Neuroblastoma. I listened to the audiobook version, and hearing the author recount moments of fear, anxiety, hope, determination, and faith made it so easy to connect with every emotion.
The narration is clear, detailed, and at times heart-wrenching. There is no sexual or profanity content in it. Listening at normal speed lets every raw emotion come through. What struck me most was how real and intimate the experience felt. I found myself holding my breath during the hospital scenes while waiting for scan results. As Unger documented every daily occurrence during Louis's stays in and out of hospital, I got to understand how much helpless parents go through in situations like this.
Above all, I admire Mark Unger’s decision to turn his pain into advocacy. The book brings out the value of teamwork in marriage and family. It also opened my mind to the strides that have been made in treating neuroblastoma. I learned about antibody treatment that I didn’t know existed before. Unger also shows other parents that they can play a great role in advocating for their loved ones’ health.
One of the strengths of this memoir is how educational it is. Mark Unger clearly researched every medical term, treatment protocol, and clinical trial. The early chapters do contain a lot of oncology terminology, which can feel overwhelming or too technical for the ordinary listener. At times it made me lose focus. But I also understand why he included these details, because they show how much research parents must do. Overall it’s a minor issue and doesn’t take away from the power of the story.
At its core, this is a family story of love, hope, and determination against all odds. Unger shares openly about the strain on daily routines and relationships, but also about kindness, scientific progress, and community support.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy memoirs, medical non-fiction, and stories of resilience and hope. If you’re choosing between print and audio, I recommend the audiobook because the narration brings out every emotion. It’s an insightful read that stays with you long after it ends.
A father’s fight that will stay with you
First Survivor by Mark Unger is a memoir about the author’s family journey after their three-year-old son, Louis, is diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly form of childhood cancer.
Narrated from a father’s point of view, the book follows the challenges of fighting the disease. Life shifts from planning holidays to spending days in hospital hallways, carrying the emotional, medical, and financial burden of Neuroblastoma. I listened to the audiobook version, and hearing the author recount moments of fear, anxiety, hope, determination, and faith made it so easy to connect with every emotion.
The narration is clear, detailed, and at times heart-wrenching. There is no sexual or profanity content in it. Listening at normal speed lets every raw emotion come through. What struck me most was how real and intimate the experience felt. I found myself holding my breath during the hospital scenes while waiting for scan results. As Unger documented every daily occurrence during Louis's stays in and out of hospital, I got to understand how much helpless parents go through in situations like this.
Above all, I admire Mark Unger’s decision to turn his pain into advocacy. The book brings out the value of teamwork in marriage and family. It also opened my mind to the strides that have been made in treating neuroblastoma. I learned about antibody treatment that I didn’t know existed before. Unger also shows other parents that they can play a great role in advocating for their loved ones’ health.
One of the strengths of this memoir is how educational it is. Mark Unger clearly researched every medical term, treatment protocol, and clinical trial. The early chapters do contain a lot of oncology terminology, which can feel overwhelming or too technical for the ordinary listener. At times it made me lose focus. But I also understand why he included these details, because they show how much research parents must do. Overall it’s a minor issue and doesn’t take away from the power of the story.
At its core, this is a family story of love, hope, and determination against all odds. Unger shares openly about the strain on daily routines and relationships, but also about kindness, scientific progress, and community support.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy memoirs, medical non-fiction, and stories of resilience and hope. If you’re choosing between print and audio, I recommend the audiobook because the narration brings out every emotion. It’s an insightful read that stays with you long after it ends.
June 9, 2024
First Survivor is an informative, emotional memoir of one family’s journey. After three year-old Louis Unger receives a diagnosis of neuroblastoma, he and his family unite to pursue a cure.
In the face of what could be emotional upheaval, Mark Unger’s automatic response to Louis’s diagnosis was to write it all down. Unger’s approach was logical and optimistic. He kept track of every meeting with doctors, every question he had, every drug that entered his son’s system, and anything else that the family endured. These writings were not only a way for him to cope, but they also became the basis of First Survivor.
When the family began to fight neuroblastoma in 2001, the medical world was different than it is now. Unger explains that in their day, the relationship between medical staff and patients was quite formal and reserved. Yet the desperation to save Louis’s life led Mark and his wife to become strong advocates for their child. The Ungers believe that they were among the first to conduct their own research and discuss it with doctors.
Mark Unger was bombarded with new medical terminology, but he does an excellent job explaining it in layman’s terms. His descriptions are occasionally repetitive, but his purpose is to reinforce the reader’s learning. In addition to explaining medical procedures during the story, he also provides a glossary for reference and precise definitions. Unger effectively uses other resources to help tell his family’s story, such as photocopies of his notes, photos of Louis and the family, and charts from his neuroblastoma research.
I learned a lot from First Survivor. For example, I had never considered how vastly childhood cancer and its treatment differ from cancer in adults. As children’s healthy cells grow rapidly, so do cells that are cancerous. Conversely, as children heal quickly, their cancer cells respond favorably to treatments such as chemotherapy. The Ungers’ decision to aggressively treat Louis’s cancer proved, in their case, to be the right decision.
In general, First Survivor is told chronologically. Unger provides dates at the beginning of each chapter and often throughout chapters. Sometimes he briefly references what will happen in the future. As this is a true story, I feel it is the author’s prerogative to use whatever timeline he chooses, although it can be confusing at times.
One aspect of the book that I truly enjoyed was how Mark Unger found a community online of other families suffering through childhood cancer, particularly neuroblastoma. In 2001, this type of connection was rare and greatly meaningful for Unger. He was able to ask questions about treatments and symptoms, receiving answers from a parent’s perspective as opposed to a doctor’s. My favorite snippet of the book is a correspondence in which Mark encourages another parent for the first time through this online community. It is moving to me that such unity and hope can be found in the face of such pain.
The book was published seventeen years after Louis’s initial diagnosis. Ultimately, Unger can see the ripple effect that Louis’s journey has had in paving the way for patient advocacy and experiencing new treatments. He recognizes that “there are many children today who might not be alive had Louis Unger not been assaulted by neuroblastoma.” How poignant that the Ungers acknowledge that their trial paved the way for others’ healing.
My rating is four stars out of five due to the number of typos I noted throughout. The only negative aspects of the book, in my opinion, are the typos and the unclear timeline. However, the content was educational and compelling. I recommend this book as an inspiring story and an educational resource.
In the face of what could be emotional upheaval, Mark Unger’s automatic response to Louis’s diagnosis was to write it all down. Unger’s approach was logical and optimistic. He kept track of every meeting with doctors, every question he had, every drug that entered his son’s system, and anything else that the family endured. These writings were not only a way for him to cope, but they also became the basis of First Survivor.
When the family began to fight neuroblastoma in 2001, the medical world was different than it is now. Unger explains that in their day, the relationship between medical staff and patients was quite formal and reserved. Yet the desperation to save Louis’s life led Mark and his wife to become strong advocates for their child. The Ungers believe that they were among the first to conduct their own research and discuss it with doctors.
Mark Unger was bombarded with new medical terminology, but he does an excellent job explaining it in layman’s terms. His descriptions are occasionally repetitive, but his purpose is to reinforce the reader’s learning. In addition to explaining medical procedures during the story, he also provides a glossary for reference and precise definitions. Unger effectively uses other resources to help tell his family’s story, such as photocopies of his notes, photos of Louis and the family, and charts from his neuroblastoma research.
I learned a lot from First Survivor. For example, I had never considered how vastly childhood cancer and its treatment differ from cancer in adults. As children’s healthy cells grow rapidly, so do cells that are cancerous. Conversely, as children heal quickly, their cancer cells respond favorably to treatments such as chemotherapy. The Ungers’ decision to aggressively treat Louis’s cancer proved, in their case, to be the right decision.
In general, First Survivor is told chronologically. Unger provides dates at the beginning of each chapter and often throughout chapters. Sometimes he briefly references what will happen in the future. As this is a true story, I feel it is the author’s prerogative to use whatever timeline he chooses, although it can be confusing at times.
One aspect of the book that I truly enjoyed was how Mark Unger found a community online of other families suffering through childhood cancer, particularly neuroblastoma. In 2001, this type of connection was rare and greatly meaningful for Unger. He was able to ask questions about treatments and symptoms, receiving answers from a parent’s perspective as opposed to a doctor’s. My favorite snippet of the book is a correspondence in which Mark encourages another parent for the first time through this online community. It is moving to me that such unity and hope can be found in the face of such pain.
The book was published seventeen years after Louis’s initial diagnosis. Ultimately, Unger can see the ripple effect that Louis’s journey has had in paving the way for patient advocacy and experiencing new treatments. He recognizes that “there are many children today who might not be alive had Louis Unger not been assaulted by neuroblastoma.” How poignant that the Ungers acknowledge that their trial paved the way for others’ healing.
My rating is four stars out of five due to the number of typos I noted throughout. The only negative aspects of the book, in my opinion, are the typos and the unclear timeline. However, the content was educational and compelling. I recommend this book as an inspiring story and an educational resource.
November 8, 2018
Uplifting!
I rated First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough.....by Mark Unger, 5 stars for several reasons. The obvious one is that he wrote a book about his son's battle with neuroblastoma using terms that we're clear, concise and easy for the non-medical professionals to understand. Words that may be foreign to an average person were highlighted in the kindle version. Just tap & the reader is taken to the glossary. Another reason for 5 stars, is of course the clearly written style that may be read in one sitting , I know that I'd have finished it that way if I would have had the time. Also, despite being a truly horrifying experience for a young family to go through, the entire Unger family was brave and a warrior in their own way. As a mom (who is a RN), I have great admiration for each family member. Lou, an adorable three year old at diagnosis, was as fearsome as the T-Rex soft toy that he brandished at nursing staff prior to needle sticks and other painful procedures. Mary Ellen served her role as mother beat with honor. Mark, was not only father and caretaker of Lou's brother ( both parents making sure he wouldn't be left out and feel forgotten), but an amazing researcher and advocate for his son's treatment. So often, a book about childhood Cancer can leave the reader in tears, but not this one. I actually was not going to purchase it, but my mind was made up when I saw the proceeds were going to research and therapies. Finally, this book is a great example of how research is helping to not only extend the lives of those with cancer, but they are learning how to use our own bodys as weapons against the cells gone wild!
I rated First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough.....by Mark Unger, 5 stars for several reasons. The obvious one is that he wrote a book about his son's battle with neuroblastoma using terms that we're clear, concise and easy for the non-medical professionals to understand. Words that may be foreign to an average person were highlighted in the kindle version. Just tap & the reader is taken to the glossary. Another reason for 5 stars, is of course the clearly written style that may be read in one sitting , I know that I'd have finished it that way if I would have had the time. Also, despite being a truly horrifying experience for a young family to go through, the entire Unger family was brave and a warrior in their own way. As a mom (who is a RN), I have great admiration for each family member. Lou, an adorable three year old at diagnosis, was as fearsome as the T-Rex soft toy that he brandished at nursing staff prior to needle sticks and other painful procedures. Mary Ellen served her role as mother beat with honor. Mark, was not only father and caretaker of Lou's brother ( both parents making sure he wouldn't be left out and feel forgotten), but an amazing researcher and advocate for his son's treatment. So often, a book about childhood Cancer can leave the reader in tears, but not this one. I actually was not going to purchase it, but my mind was made up when I saw the proceeds were going to research and therapies. Finally, this book is a great example of how research is helping to not only extend the lives of those with cancer, but they are learning how to use our own bodys as weapons against the cells gone wild!
June 10, 2024
An ARC for an honest review.
This is a story of pure strength and determination. When you're confronted with the illness of a child. I can only imagine how hard and fast your world collapses right around you. As the doctors are telling you the chances and likelihoods, your mind is just pure chaos and fear. This story is filled with so much hope even though the voice is very much scientific, and facts based you still can read the hope and love that seems to have seep through. So often, a book about childhood Cancer can leave the reader in tears, but not this one. This book is a great example of how research is helping to not only extend the lives of those with cancer, but they are learning how to use our own body as weapons against the cells gone wild! I hope people reading this will understand the message it brings. I hope readers will find solace, even if it's only the tiniest bit, in the Unger's story should they be going through the same hardships in life. I admire the Unger family for going through what they did and still want to help others. It takes guts and a lot of determination and empathy to not only fight for yourself but others, too. Also great to know that all proceeds from this book will go to the Carrot Seed Foundation where they will be used to fund Neuroblastoma clinical trials and support the children and families who are stricken by this disease. I am giving it a four out five because genuinely like it. It’s the rating I give to books that I really enjoy reading. There’s really nothing I felt was missing or had objections to. It just 4 out of 5 read for me. Even though the story is amazingly told.
This is a story of pure strength and determination. When you're confronted with the illness of a child. I can only imagine how hard and fast your world collapses right around you. As the doctors are telling you the chances and likelihoods, your mind is just pure chaos and fear. This story is filled with so much hope even though the voice is very much scientific, and facts based you still can read the hope and love that seems to have seep through. So often, a book about childhood Cancer can leave the reader in tears, but not this one. This book is a great example of how research is helping to not only extend the lives of those with cancer, but they are learning how to use our own body as weapons against the cells gone wild! I hope people reading this will understand the message it brings. I hope readers will find solace, even if it's only the tiniest bit, in the Unger's story should they be going through the same hardships in life. I admire the Unger family for going through what they did and still want to help others. It takes guts and a lot of determination and empathy to not only fight for yourself but others, too. Also great to know that all proceeds from this book will go to the Carrot Seed Foundation where they will be used to fund Neuroblastoma clinical trials and support the children and families who are stricken by this disease. I am giving it a four out five because genuinely like it. It’s the rating I give to books that I really enjoy reading. There’s really nothing I felt was missing or had objections to. It just 4 out of 5 read for me. Even though the story is amazingly told.
May 17, 2024
Imagine your three year old son being diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. Your world crashing down around you in a matter of sheer minutes. As a parent, I would go to the end of the Earth to do what I could to help my child. The parent's were obsessed with finding the best doctor, oncologist to help save their son. Would you put your child in a trial to see if it would help save their life? The Unger's had him put in a trial at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Antibodies are released into the fluid surrounding the brain and to attack and kill all the cancer cells.
When someone is going through Cancer, the family, friends and doctors help play a part in your recovery. It is clearly evident in First Survivor that Louis' family, friends, doctors and his parents played a major part in his recovery. Imagine the strength the Unger's had to keep Louis' spirits up.
Louis' battle with cancer started in November 2001. Over the next several years, he would go through hundred's of treatments. Mark Unger lays out each treatment and how agonizing they were. There were multiple set backs but they prayed for a breakthrough during the next several years.
First Survivor is a good read but also heartbreaking. As it takes you through what this family went through as they fought daily for their young son. It open's your eyes to understand what children and their families go through. It's a lesson to never judge and to be more understanding to those around you, as you never know what they are dealing with.
When someone is going through Cancer, the family, friends and doctors help play a part in your recovery. It is clearly evident in First Survivor that Louis' family, friends, doctors and his parents played a major part in his recovery. Imagine the strength the Unger's had to keep Louis' spirits up.
Louis' battle with cancer started in November 2001. Over the next several years, he would go through hundred's of treatments. Mark Unger lays out each treatment and how agonizing they were. There were multiple set backs but they prayed for a breakthrough during the next several years.
First Survivor is a good read but also heartbreaking. As it takes you through what this family went through as they fought daily for their young son. It open's your eyes to understand what children and their families go through. It's a lesson to never judge and to be more understanding to those around you, as you never know what they are dealing with.
August 1, 2026
First Survivor is one of those books that pulls you in because it’s not just telling a story, it’s showing you what determination looks like when a family is pushed to the edge. As a reader, you feel the weight of every decision, every setback, and every small victory. It’s written with a kind of honesty that makes the medical side accessible without losing the emotional reality behind it. I appreciated that the book never tries to dramatize the experience yet, it lets the truth speak for itself, and that truth is powerful.
What stood out most to me was how clearly it shows the human side of innovation. We hear about precision medicine and breakthroughs all the time, but this book makes you understand what those words mean when they’re tied to a child’s life. The blend of science and personal experience is handled in a way that feels balanced and you learn something, but you also feel something. That combination makes it a compelling read for anyone who cares about public health, medical progress, or simply stories of resilience.
I'd say the book succeeds as a bitter yet sweet story and it stays grounded. It’s hopeful without being unrealistic, emotional without being overwhelming, and informative without ever feeling like a textbook. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why people fight so hard for better treatments and why those breakthroughs matter. If you’re looking for a book that’s meaningful, inspiring, and rooted in real human courage, this one delivers. Just remember one thing...... advocating is always the key.
What stood out most to me was how clearly it shows the human side of innovation. We hear about precision medicine and breakthroughs all the time, but this book makes you understand what those words mean when they’re tied to a child’s life. The blend of science and personal experience is handled in a way that feels balanced and you learn something, but you also feel something. That combination makes it a compelling read for anyone who cares about public health, medical progress, or simply stories of resilience.
I'd say the book succeeds as a bitter yet sweet story and it stays grounded. It’s hopeful without being unrealistic, emotional without being overwhelming, and informative without ever feeling like a textbook. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why people fight so hard for better treatments and why those breakthroughs matter. If you’re looking for a book that’s meaningful, inspiring, and rooted in real human courage, this one delivers. Just remember one thing...... advocating is always the key.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2018
Giving Hope to those in life-threatening situations
Telling a story from the standpoint of one who has experienced the events is something noteworthy of. The Author Mark Unger tells us of his own family story and the battle to save their child from cancer. I always love reading books like this. This book has touched my life in different ways. I begin to see hope for the human race.
Throughout the pages of this touching story, I was put in the shoes of the author, I tried to imagine what they felt like and how determined they were to find a cure for their child. It reminds me of the many child victims out there and their need for moral and emotional support.
From doctor’s diagnosis and the result that their child had a zero percent chance at survival to the miracle surrounding his survival. I am a believer in miracles and this book has strongly renewed my belief in the fact that even in the most hopeless situation, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
This is one of those books that has the power to encourage you never to give up no matter the struggles you might be facing in life. It’s certainly a must-have for every book lover out there.
Telling a story from the standpoint of one who has experienced the events is something noteworthy of. The Author Mark Unger tells us of his own family story and the battle to save their child from cancer. I always love reading books like this. This book has touched my life in different ways. I begin to see hope for the human race.
Throughout the pages of this touching story, I was put in the shoes of the author, I tried to imagine what they felt like and how determined they were to find a cure for their child. It reminds me of the many child victims out there and their need for moral and emotional support.
From doctor’s diagnosis and the result that their child had a zero percent chance at survival to the miracle surrounding his survival. I am a believer in miracles and this book has strongly renewed my belief in the fact that even in the most hopeless situation, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
This is one of those books that has the power to encourage you never to give up no matter the struggles you might be facing in life. It’s certainly a must-have for every book lover out there.
February 2, 2019
Both heartbreaking and beautiful
As a mother I can not imagine having to go through this with a child. I know it’s so common for families to go through this but it never ceases to amaze me at the strength that these families have! This story is told by Mark Unger, the father of Louis Unger. Mark gives the world an intimate look into the heartbreak, trials and triumphs of Louis’s battle with a rare cancer called Neuroblastoma. Louis was only three years old when he was diagnosed with cancer. The story takes us from 2001 when Louis is first diagnosed, through 100s of treatments. Each treatment had both its high points and its low points. Reading through this I felt like I was there with them experiencing every up and down along the way. I don’t think I have ever cried this much or felt so much relief while reading a book until I read that Louis was cured in 2008. I feel like this book could really bring a ray of hope to anyone going through this.
As a mother I can not imagine having to go through this with a child. I know it’s so common for families to go through this but it never ceases to amaze me at the strength that these families have! This story is told by Mark Unger, the father of Louis Unger. Mark gives the world an intimate look into the heartbreak, trials and triumphs of Louis’s battle with a rare cancer called Neuroblastoma. Louis was only three years old when he was diagnosed with cancer. The story takes us from 2001 when Louis is first diagnosed, through 100s of treatments. Each treatment had both its high points and its low points. Reading through this I felt like I was there with them experiencing every up and down along the way. I don’t think I have ever cried this much or felt so much relief while reading a book until I read that Louis was cured in 2008. I feel like this book could really bring a ray of hope to anyone going through this.
January 8, 2024
An Awesome Book!
Mark Unger has an amazing ability at keeping notes. He also researched everything about everything to do with what every doctor said about the cancer his son had.
He keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair with him, in the hospital, at the meetings with some of the best specialists in the field of this cancer that no other child had survived.
That cancer was determined to kill their son, but Mark and his wife were determined they were going to find a way to save him if it took everything they had and hairlipped the devil himself!
Mark's ability to take notes and have every bit of information available for every specialist, and every hospital and put it all together again for the writing of this book is the reason I rated this book a Level 5. He's absolutely flawless!
I recommend everyone with children, grandchildren, and those who have fought this battle before, read this book. You won't be able to put it down!
Mark Unger has an amazing ability at keeping notes. He also researched everything about everything to do with what every doctor said about the cancer his son had.
He keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair with him, in the hospital, at the meetings with some of the best specialists in the field of this cancer that no other child had survived.
That cancer was determined to kill their son, but Mark and his wife were determined they were going to find a way to save him if it took everything they had and hairlipped the devil himself!
Mark's ability to take notes and have every bit of information available for every specialist, and every hospital and put it all together again for the writing of this book is the reason I rated this book a Level 5. He's absolutely flawless!
I recommend everyone with children, grandchildren, and those who have fought this battle before, read this book. You won't be able to put it down!
January 30, 2019
Every parent prays to everything they find holy that they never hear the words 'your child has cancer'. The Unger's were no different than any other parents, their son Louis, was no different than any other little boy. First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough is a story of this family suffering through and eventually triumphing over what was initially a death sentence for their three year old boy. Mark Unger lays out each agonizing treatment, all of the set backs, every prayed for break through during that horrifying five years.
First Survivor is not an easy book to read, especially when you think about all of those families who didn't get the happy ending that the Unger's were so lucky to get. Louis is now a grown man and there couldn't have been a better outcome from that horrible ordeal for him and his entire family.
First Survivor is not an easy book to read, especially when you think about all of those families who didn't get the happy ending that the Unger's were so lucky to get. Louis is now a grown man and there couldn't have been a better outcome from that horrible ordeal for him and his entire family.
January 4, 2020
First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough is the story of 3-year-old Louis Unger’s four year battle with neuroblastoma and his family’s attempts to procure the best possible care for him.
If you or a loved is battling cancer, or other life-threatening diagnoses, this book is a fantastic guide to navigating the medical world. While it chronicles their specific experience, the tools and approaches they took as a family can be useful for any situation. Every medical diagnosis will be different, as will every treatment. But there are some solid principles outlined in this book that should be helpful to anyone hoping to be a patient advocate (their own or a loved-one’s).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about patient advocacy and to hear the great story of Louis’s recovery.
If you or a loved is battling cancer, or other life-threatening diagnoses, this book is a fantastic guide to navigating the medical world. While it chronicles their specific experience, the tools and approaches they took as a family can be useful for any situation. Every medical diagnosis will be different, as will every treatment. But there are some solid principles outlined in this book that should be helpful to anyone hoping to be a patient advocate (their own or a loved-one’s).
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about patient advocacy and to hear the great story of Louis’s recovery.
February 6, 2019
Inspiring
The story I just read was heartbreaking. A true narrative of the awful battle between a child and cancer. The thoughts of the parents and how they decided to cope and live day to day helping their son combat an aggressive disease. Cancer affected Louis in so many ways. The growth as a family and what they went through was inspiring. I really appreciated the educational aspect of the glossary in the back to define what medical terms I did not understand. This horrible thing could happen to anyone, so reading this made me understand so much about what it’s like to have someone close to you battle a serious illness. Bless this book.
The story I just read was heartbreaking. A true narrative of the awful battle between a child and cancer. The thoughts of the parents and how they decided to cope and live day to day helping their son combat an aggressive disease. Cancer affected Louis in so many ways. The growth as a family and what they went through was inspiring. I really appreciated the educational aspect of the glossary in the back to define what medical terms I did not understand. This horrible thing could happen to anyone, so reading this made me understand so much about what it’s like to have someone close to you battle a serious illness. Bless this book.
November 8, 2023
Inspiring story
These type of stories always bring me back to earth. I find medical procedures interesting and there is always a profound story behind. First Survivor will tell Louis' difficult childhood from his dad's perspective. Louis was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma a day before Thanksgiving. Both his parents had to face an enormous challenge. However, due to the decisions they made for Louis' sake, they followed a trial treatment which increased the chances of survival for future patients.
I would have liked to know more about the mom's perspective, I am sure that would have been very valuable. Still, it was a great read.
These type of stories always bring me back to earth. I find medical procedures interesting and there is always a profound story behind. First Survivor will tell Louis' difficult childhood from his dad's perspective. Louis was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma a day before Thanksgiving. Both his parents had to face an enormous challenge. However, due to the decisions they made for Louis' sake, they followed a trial treatment which increased the chances of survival for future patients.
I would have liked to know more about the mom's perspective, I am sure that would have been very valuable. Still, it was a great read.
November 20, 2023
Touching and inspired book.
This book made me think in all the parents and families of patients who are dealing with a health decease of any kind, because of all of them are hare, others harder than other of curse… This book also thought me a lesson, be do not be afraid of asking questions and seek for more medical opinions, research or advice. I am amaze by the strength of Lou and his parents on not giving up on finding answers and the treatment that ultimately save his life. Love this book, although a bit technical is a lot that you will learn about this cancer. Truly recommended.
This book made me think in all the parents and families of patients who are dealing with a health decease of any kind, because of all of them are hare, others harder than other of curse… This book also thought me a lesson, be do not be afraid of asking questions and seek for more medical opinions, research or advice. I am amaze by the strength of Lou and his parents on not giving up on finding answers and the treatment that ultimately save his life. Love this book, although a bit technical is a lot that you will learn about this cancer. Truly recommended.
May 22, 2020
Excellent True Life story by a Father
This was an excellent story of all the steps this family went thru to get their son "cured" of cancer. Excellent Doctors, Nurses, Surgeons and everyone else that helps deliver meals to cleaning that support this endeavor. Neuroblastoma that was a death sentence if it manifests to a brain tumor. Now with the remarkable Unger family and their son survival is 65 to 70%. The parents pushed for aggressive treatment and luckily a trial was happening for adults that they provided a protocol for their young son that worked. Congratulations.
This was an excellent story of all the steps this family went thru to get their son "cured" of cancer. Excellent Doctors, Nurses, Surgeons and everyone else that helps deliver meals to cleaning that support this endeavor. Neuroblastoma that was a death sentence if it manifests to a brain tumor. Now with the remarkable Unger family and their son survival is 65 to 70%. The parents pushed for aggressive treatment and luckily a trial was happening for adults that they provided a protocol for their young son that worked. Congratulations.
August 1, 2018
My heart goes out
This is a useful tool for all who knows a child and or a family who are going through health struggles. I love the explanation of terms, giving all of us a better understanding. This story had me crying, praying, laughing, and crying some more and than paying some more. I am thankful to this family, to the Drs and most of all to God for This story. My best to all.
This is a useful tool for all who knows a child and or a family who are going through health struggles. I love the explanation of terms, giving all of us a better understanding. This story had me crying, praying, laughing, and crying some more and than paying some more. I am thankful to this family, to the Drs and most of all to God for This story. My best to all.
April 26, 2024
first survivor
This story is about how a family persevered to find a cure for the cancer that was in their 3 year old son. When he relapsed and got a tumor on his brain, all the research said there was zero percent for survival. The dad did not accept that and did research until he found a clinical trial that might work. This story will inspire other families dealing with childhood cancer
This story is about how a family persevered to find a cure for the cancer that was in their 3 year old son. When he relapsed and got a tumor on his brain, all the research said there was zero percent for survival. The dad did not accept that and did research until he found a clinical trial that might work. This story will inspire other families dealing with childhood cancer
August 6, 2026
Very well written. You’d think its a dramatic book that will break you fictionally but its not. Its a gut-wrenching, true story book told from a father’s pov of his cancer diagnosed son. You feel the raw emotions that focuses on the people around him and how it matters also to the family not just the victim. The story is more like a book of journals and notes binded neatly into a semi-procedurial book that give a watm hug to anyone in similar conditions.
April 22, 2018
This story of triumph in the face of a devastating disease as told by the father of the cancer survivor is heartwarming and incredible. The myriad of hardships this family had to survive makes one believe that their strength came from tight bonds with each other and the community around them. An astounding read for anyone.
May 22, 2019
A message of hope
Although very rich in detail, this searing account of a family's harrowing journey through the extreme challenge of a rare pediatric cancer is never tedious. The author describes some very helpful sources of information and strategies for those facing a similar situation.
Although very rich in detail, this searing account of a family's harrowing journey through the extreme challenge of a rare pediatric cancer is never tedious. The author describes some very helpful sources of information and strategies for those facing a similar situation.
January 26, 2020
Excellent
Mark Unger tells the true story of his son's long journey to become the first child to survive metastatic brain cancer. He tells of his and his wife 's feelings as they fight to get Louis the best medial help available. He writes in layman's terms and explains the difficult terms.
Mark Unger tells the true story of his son's long journey to become the first child to survive metastatic brain cancer. He tells of his and his wife 's feelings as they fight to get Louis the best medial help available. He writes in layman's terms and explains the difficult terms.
June 6, 2024
[i] First Survivor [/i] by Mark Unger is a story written by the father(Mark) of a child (Louis) with neuroblastoma, a rare and usually incurable cancer. It tells about the life, trials, and tribulations of a loving family that is tossed into the middle of chaos, fear, and uncertainty.
Very well written, from the side of the parents who did everything and anything they could to ensure that their son had the best treatments and chance of survival.
Very well written, from the side of the parents who did everything and anything they could to ensure that their son had the best treatments and chance of survival.
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