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How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey
"How Steve Became Ralph is an odyssey in every sense of the word. Buechler transforms a devastating cancer diagnosis into a literary quest infused with intelligence, mindfulness, humor, and hope."
-Carolyn Redman, Author of News From Lake Boobbegone
A moving, entertaining memoir written by someone who's "been there and done that."
Steve Buechler began telling his story within a week of his diagnosis with an email to his neighbors. Over the ensuing months, he composed over sixty such reports for an ever-expanding group of recipients. With the addition of a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity changes, this compelling story documents and reflects upon his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, including a detailed account of the stem cell transplant that saved his life.
The narrative blends contemporaneous reports, granular detail, generalizable lessons, existential reflections, wry humor shown in the jokes Steve adds, and a positive outcome. It demonstrates the value of telling our stories in the face of life-threatening illness, and it will appeal to all members of the cancer community as well as a broader reading audience.
-Carolyn Redman, Author of News From Lake Boobbegone
A moving, entertaining memoir written by someone who's "been there and done that."
Steve Buechler began telling his story within a week of his diagnosis with an email to his neighbors. Over the ensuing months, he composed over sixty such reports for an ever-expanding group of recipients. With the addition of a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity changes, this compelling story documents and reflects upon his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, including a detailed account of the stem cell transplant that saved his life.
The narrative blends contemporaneous reports, granular detail, generalizable lessons, existential reflections, wry humor shown in the jokes Steve adds, and a positive outcome. It demonstrates the value of telling our stories in the face of life-threatening illness, and it will appeal to all members of the cancer community as well as a broader reading audience.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2020
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5 people want to read
About the author
Steve Buechler
7 books1 followerThis author also writes under the pen name Steven M. Buechler.
When it comes to being an author, I’ve led something of a double life. I had a long career as a sociologist, mainly at Minnesota State University, Mankato where I taught sociology for 31 years. During that time, I wrote seven academic books on women’s movements, social movement theory, and critical sociology. These were published under my full formal name as Steven M. Buechler.
In the summer of 2016, I was planning one more year of teaching before retiring and pursuing other adventures. Despite feeling perfectly healthy, some routine blood work discovered low white blood cell counts, which triggered a bone marrow biopsy that revealed I had acute myeloid leukemia.
In less than 48 hours, I was hospitalized and began a week-long, 24/7 chemotherapy cocktail. After achieving a temporary remission, I subsequently received a stem cell transplant. Everything worked out for the best, and I can now count myself as a cancer survivor with a new lease on life.
Among my coping strategies during my illness, I wrote over 60 “mass emails” sent to over 50 correspondents over a 16-month period. My writing was psychic therapy for me as well as a communication tool with my correspondents.
When some of them recommended I publish these reports in book form, I was dubious. But one thing led to another, I composed a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity transformations, and How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (with Jokes) was published in December of 2018 under the author name of Steve Buechler. It is available from the publisher at written.dreams.com, as well as Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
I believe the book is a helpful resource for anyone facing cancer in general or a stem cell transplant in particular. It will also appeal more broadly to members of the general reading public who are interested in a realistic but hopeful and entertaining account of surviving a life-threatening illness.
When it comes to being an author, I’ve led something of a double life. I had a long career as a sociologist, mainly at Minnesota State University, Mankato where I taught sociology for 31 years. During that time, I wrote seven academic books on women’s movements, social movement theory, and critical sociology. These were published under my full formal name as Steven M. Buechler.
In the summer of 2016, I was planning one more year of teaching before retiring and pursuing other adventures. Despite feeling perfectly healthy, some routine blood work discovered low white blood cell counts, which triggered a bone marrow biopsy that revealed I had acute myeloid leukemia.
In less than 48 hours, I was hospitalized and began a week-long, 24/7 chemotherapy cocktail. After achieving a temporary remission, I subsequently received a stem cell transplant. Everything worked out for the best, and I can now count myself as a cancer survivor with a new lease on life.
Among my coping strategies during my illness, I wrote over 60 “mass emails” sent to over 50 correspondents over a 16-month period. My writing was psychic therapy for me as well as a communication tool with my correspondents.
When some of them recommended I publish these reports in book form, I was dubious. But one thing led to another, I composed a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity transformations, and How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (with Jokes) was published in December of 2018 under the author name of Steve Buechler. It is available from the publisher at written.dreams.com, as well as Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
I believe the book is a helpful resource for anyone facing cancer in general or a stem cell transplant in particular. It will also appeal more broadly to members of the general reading public who are interested in a realistic but hopeful and entertaining account of surviving a life-threatening illness.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 19, 2025
How Steve Became Ralph is a moving, thoughtful memoir that manages to be honest about fear and suffering while remaining genuinely hopeful and often very funny. Steve Buechler turns a devastating cancer diagnosis into a deeply human journey one that feels intimate, wise, and reassuring rather than sentimental.
What makes this book stand out is its structure and voice. Written originally as real-time emails to friends and neighbors, the narrative captures the uncertainty, small victories, dark moments, and hard-earned insights of serious illness as they actually unfold. The result feels lived-in and authentic, rich with detail but never self indulgent. Buechler blends mindfulness, humor, and existential reflection in a way that invites the reader to slow down and think about identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling itself.
This memoir will resonate strongly with members of the cancer community, caregivers, and anyone facing major life upheaval. But its appeal goes well beyond illness: it’s a reminder of how sharing our stories can connect us, sustain us, and help us make meaning even in the most difficult circumstances. A deeply humane and rewarding read.
What makes this book stand out is its structure and voice. Written originally as real-time emails to friends and neighbors, the narrative captures the uncertainty, small victories, dark moments, and hard-earned insights of serious illness as they actually unfold. The result feels lived-in and authentic, rich with detail but never self indulgent. Buechler blends mindfulness, humor, and existential reflection in a way that invites the reader to slow down and think about identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling itself.
This memoir will resonate strongly with members of the cancer community, caregivers, and anyone facing major life upheaval. But its appeal goes well beyond illness: it’s a reminder of how sharing our stories can connect us, sustain us, and help us make meaning even in the most difficult circumstances. A deeply humane and rewarding read.
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May 22, 2024I am extremely sorry if you are on Goodreads rn and see me adding these books lol.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews