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A Mother's Choice
On May 1st 2016 Elle Halliwell, the hugely popular Daily Telegraph Fashion Editor, was diagnosed with leukemia. Two weeks later just as she was telling friends and family about the grim diagnosis she found out she was 4 weeks pregnant with her first child.
She was faced with an impossible either terminate her unborn baby and begin the treatment that gave her the best chance of survival, or continue with the pregnancy and delay effective intervention for her cancer, a course that could lead to her death.
Elle chose her baby over herself, a mother's choice. Her memoir details her illness, her pregnancy, and against all the odds, the ultimate triumph of giving birth to her son in December 2016. Almost a year later she is still on the road to recovery but has discovered a new passion for nutrition and healthy living. Her journey remains hard but the trials of the last year and a half have made her more determined than ever to live well and regain her health for the sake of her family and her son.
A Mother's Choice is compelling, moving and inspiring.
She was faced with an impossible either terminate her unborn baby and begin the treatment that gave her the best chance of survival, or continue with the pregnancy and delay effective intervention for her cancer, a course that could lead to her death.
Elle chose her baby over herself, a mother's choice. Her memoir details her illness, her pregnancy, and against all the odds, the ultimate triumph of giving birth to her son in December 2016. Almost a year later she is still on the road to recovery but has discovered a new passion for nutrition and healthy living. Her journey remains hard but the trials of the last year and a half have made her more determined than ever to live well and regain her health for the sake of her family and her son.
A Mother's Choice is compelling, moving and inspiring.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2018
9 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 14, 2019
This book is not terrible, but not great either. It is, to its credit, very well written. However, I found it a bit shallow - missing the depth of emotion, the rawness, that other books in this vein have. By half way through, I felt like all I was reading was a comment on how many famous people she's met, how fancy her job was, etc. It takes til halfway or more through to start really seeing the emotions, and for me that's too long - especially when the book is branded like a heart-felt mother's tale. I would like to have read less about her job and celebrity shoulder rubbing, and more in detail about her journey as a mother, her dealing with PPD, her days with her little boy, etc. I don't regret reading it, but I wouldn't jump to recommend it either.
October 18, 2020
What should have been a triumphant story--and it became one--spent too much time talking about her glamorous life as a fashion journalist and fabulous life.
I really wanted to know how she and her husband dug deep into their souls to make such a difficult decision and how they wrestled with this choice through the seven months of the pregnancy after diagnosis.
It felt shallow to me, even as it told a dramatic story in medical detail.
I'm glad Thor is now running around and causing joy for his parents. I'd be curious about how Halliwell is doing now, three years later, and what became of her leukemia.
So, I guess I was disappointed, but I don't want to give such brave parents a lower score.
I really wanted to know how she and her husband dug deep into their souls to make such a difficult decision and how they wrestled with this choice through the seven months of the pregnancy after diagnosis.
It felt shallow to me, even as it told a dramatic story in medical detail.
I'm glad Thor is now running around and causing joy for his parents. I'd be curious about how Halliwell is doing now, three years later, and what became of her leukemia.
So, I guess I was disappointed, but I don't want to give such brave parents a lower score.
March 11, 2024
Elle Halliwell was a young, beautiful, healthy, successful woman with a bright future. She was happily married and looking forward to starting a family. However her world was about to turn upside down when her doctor discovered she had leukaemia. Only a few days later she also discovered she was pregnant. With a grim diagnosis and a bleak future she was faced with the most difficult choice - either terminate her pregnancy and start treatment immediately to give herself the best chance of survival or delay her treatment. This is the incredible story of a strong and inspirational woman who through her love for her unborn baby made the ultimate sacrifice to put baby before herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2019
So pleased that this little boy arrived safe and healthy! Got a little bit bored at the details of her interviews etc. Not very relevant and really just seemed to be a way to pad the book out. I hope Elle stays in remission.
January 11, 2020
I very rarely do not finish a book, however I put this one down after the 1st chapter. It was shallow and lacking and author lost me with her flippent approach to wishing she just had a neat scar and a lump removed.
May 30, 2018
Elle is diagnosed with CML just before finding out she was expecting her first child. Thanks for sharing Elle
June 4, 2018
A story about a extremely strong and determined woman faced with a very difficult decision .
Overall a great read that will bring a few tears , a few laughs and plenty of heartwarming smiles
Overall a great read that will bring a few tears , a few laughs and plenty of heartwarming smiles
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews