Kiss Your Brain: Diagnosis Diaries

by Christina Costa

This collection of poems was written from the day the author was sent to the emergency room through her first phase of radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Christina uses poetry to share her lived experience as a teacher, a patient, a psychologist, and a neurodivergent person. Kiss Your Diagnosis Diaries shares poems that fit under the categories of “on beautiful brains,” “on resilience,” and “on renewal.” Christina shares her feelings, thoughts, and experience while challenging power and privilege, and learning to advocate for her own health. She uses poetry to process her ironic brain tumor diagnosis in this first collection and ultimately hopes to inspire others through her work. All funds from each purchase of this book will go toward brain tumor and brain cancer research."To be able to read some of the most intimate thoughts that someone has as they experienced great change and uncertainty is surreal. To then also read about how instead of simply fighting it, they chose to love it and embrace it... is amazing. Books like this change the world because it gives people a voice, it gives people a friend... and also sew the seed of self-forgiveness and serve as a reminder to appreciate the wonder of our bodies and brains... regardless of the story we are part of.""This book of poems is so powerful and paradigm-shifting in the world of healing and surviving. Christina provides a glimpse into what it means to face trauma with love and hope. Her words will provide a safe space for your heart to rest and heal, while also providing a road map for finding and unleashing your power. I love the way she rejects the typical fighter narrative that accompanies cancer, and I especially enjoy the way she embraces being disabled. In one poem, Christina writes, “Give me the strength to show the others that they can survive it too”, and that’s exactly what she’s done with her poetry. Plus, purchasing this book supports research on brain tumors and brain cancer! Thank you, Christina, for showing us what it means to survive and change the world."

Genres: Poetry

139 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2021

Reviews

[Phoebe Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brave and strong. Christina Costa is brave and strong. The teacher in me identifies with her passion. From her poems, I know she is light and love. Thank you for giving us some of your light.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and incredibly inspiring 💕

[Brittney Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring. I will be sharing some of these poems with my students!

[Hilary Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to just read a few and space the poems out to savor. That didn't happen. I've followed @ms.christinacosta for a couple of years- she is an educator and PhD student who has taught me so much about accessibility and neurodivergence. She best tells the story of her brain tumor in the beginning of this book, so I'll let you read it in her own words. What follows are poems- in three parts- each as beautiful and human as the next. It is going to proudly be the first book I purchased for my classroom library.

[Rosna Delucca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring

This remarkable anthology of contemporary poetry recounts the author's battle with brain cancer. Anyone going through trauma of any kind, especially a medical ,crisis  can find inspiration in its message. She demonstrates to the reader how she uses positive psychology in her healing process. She shows us that the human body is not a battlefield.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish! She began with her story and then launched into her poetry, which has been one of her coping mechanisms throughout her body's journey with cancer. I loved her hopeful and pacifist perspectives, especially as it pertained to her body's responses.

[Ashley Welling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

This book is a powerful collection of poems about the author’s journey. You can feel her strength and resilience in each poem. I highly recommend this book.

[Sarah Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, raw, and beautiful. The sheer strength and power is palpable throughout.

[Ujala Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found book more inspiring than her ted talk

[Lillian Ringøen Halsnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Dr Costa!

A must read for poetry lovers and those who are faced with cancer. Wow, I have highlighted every single page. Thank you, Dr. Costa!

[Liz Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous Poetry

Real, raw and inspiring. Beautiful poems with a beautiful purpose. Thank you for your journey. Lots of love to you.