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Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors
Can you imagine being in high school or college and suddenly learning you have cancer? You thought you had a lifetime ahead of you and the whole world at your feet, but suddenly you're told... maybe not. How would you cope?
That's the question the twenty young people in this book had to answer when they were diagnosed with childhood cancer. Perseverance tells of their trials and tribulations, of their triumphs, and of the unique challenges that day-to-day college life brings them. Perseverance also provides an intimate look at the lives and journeys of these young people and how their courage and strength have affected the lives of others.
These honest, first-person accounts lend amazing depth to the inspiring stories of these young men and women. Inside, you'll meet Zac York, who tells of climbing Mount Whitney—on crutches—after battling brain cancer. You’ll meet Alex Oden, who—just days after brain surgery—gave his 8th grade peers a graduation speech called “A Day Well Spent,” in which he challenged them to make a difference in just one day. You’ll meet Kristen Jones, who, while battling leukemia, was able to pass the MCAT and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common perseverance. The stories of these heroes demonstrate how anyone can learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles to be faced, and will remind us all that now is everything.
That's the question the twenty young people in this book had to answer when they were diagnosed with childhood cancer. Perseverance tells of their trials and tribulations, of their triumphs, and of the unique challenges that day-to-day college life brings them. Perseverance also provides an intimate look at the lives and journeys of these young people and how their courage and strength have affected the lives of others.
These honest, first-person accounts lend amazing depth to the inspiring stories of these young men and women. Inside, you'll meet Zac York, who tells of climbing Mount Whitney—on crutches—after battling brain cancer. You’ll meet Alex Oden, who—just days after brain surgery—gave his 8th grade peers a graduation speech called “A Day Well Spent,” in which he challenged them to make a difference in just one day. You’ll meet Kristen Jones, who, while battling leukemia, was able to pass the MCAT and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common perseverance. The stories of these heroes demonstrate how anyone can learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles to be faced, and will remind us all that now is everything.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 30, 2009
Carolyn is so kind and generous with her time. In a class all her own with taking the time to respond to comments, emails, etc. This book is beautifully written and very inspiring. A must read.
July 14, 2009
"You have Cancer". Those are words that no one wants to hear, much less a high school or college student. While puking your guts out to most folks that age means too much beer the night before, for cancer patients, it is a common side-effect of chemotherapy. While peers are having needles applied for tattooing and piercings, cancer patients are undergoing biopsies, spinal taps and IV drugs. Cancer isn't easy on anyone but when it hits a high school or college-aged student, the freedom of youth is also lost.
Perseverance is a collection of stories of high school and college aged cancer patients. The book's author, Carolyn Rubenstein first learned about childhood cancer victims when she was six and visited a camp for cancer patients with her parents. When she was older she started interviewing teenage cancer survivors and then decided to put together a book. Each of twenty young people tells his/her story; Carolyn added an introduction and conclusion to each section. As you would expect, reading these young adults' stories makes you thankful you aren't in their shows and admiring of their courage. Also, as I guess could be expected, some of these folks are better writers than others. Some get a bit afield of what, to me, is the point of the book. Also, honestly, I think this is one of those cases where less might have been more. While I realize each person's struggle with cancer is unique in its own way, and certainly wasn't a routine part of any one's life, basically the stories started to sound very much alike by the end of the book. There was shock on diagnosis, nausea with chemo, hair falling out, and feeling worse than ever before in their lives. I got tired of reading the book about halfway through.
The book concludes with a list of organizations that help cancer victims and a glossary that defines many of the terms used in the book.
If someone you know is diagnosed with cancer and wants to know that 1) there is hope and 2) S/he isn't the first one to go through this, I recommend this book.
Perseverance is a collection of stories of high school and college aged cancer patients. The book's author, Carolyn Rubenstein first learned about childhood cancer victims when she was six and visited a camp for cancer patients with her parents. When she was older she started interviewing teenage cancer survivors and then decided to put together a book. Each of twenty young people tells his/her story; Carolyn added an introduction and conclusion to each section. As you would expect, reading these young adults' stories makes you thankful you aren't in their shows and admiring of their courage. Also, as I guess could be expected, some of these folks are better writers than others. Some get a bit afield of what, to me, is the point of the book. Also, honestly, I think this is one of those cases where less might have been more. While I realize each person's struggle with cancer is unique in its own way, and certainly wasn't a routine part of any one's life, basically the stories started to sound very much alike by the end of the book. There was shock on diagnosis, nausea with chemo, hair falling out, and feeling worse than ever before in their lives. I got tired of reading the book about halfway through.
The book concludes with a list of organizations that help cancer victims and a glossary that defines many of the terms used in the book.
If someone you know is diagnosed with cancer and wants to know that 1) there is hope and 2) S/he isn't the first one to go through this, I recommend this book.
December 31, 2009
‘Never let go of your dreams.’
How would you cope if you were diagnosed with cancer as a child or teenager? A cancer diagnosis is daunting for anyone, but how much harder can it be for a young person? This book contains the stories of 20 young people who have battled with cancer. Sadly, they have not all won their battles and for some the battles continue.
Each of the twenty contributors tells the story of their diagnosis, of their subsequent trials and tribulations and the unique challenges that they each have faced. They share, too, their triumphs and their motivations.
‘Cancer, or having cancer, doesn’t define you, but it does let you know who you are and what you’re capable of. And you soon realize that you are capable of so many great things.’ Without exception, each of these young people has overcome great odds in order to achieve important goals. And that is one of the key messages for those of us reading their stories: to make each moment count. Or, as one of the contributors wrote: ‘Life is brief without guarantees. Procrastination may lead to regret; the only day you have to enjoy is today.’
There is sadness in these stories: cancer treatment is frequently invasive and painful, has its own rules and protocols and is not always successful. Friendships are made and broken, family members suffer. No-one wants cancer in their lives. And yet, these young people have managed to persevere and to live lives that may be constrained by cancer but are not defined by it.
‘Make every day a good day, every moment a good moment.’ These are indeed words to live by.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
How would you cope if you were diagnosed with cancer as a child or teenager? A cancer diagnosis is daunting for anyone, but how much harder can it be for a young person? This book contains the stories of 20 young people who have battled with cancer. Sadly, they have not all won their battles and for some the battles continue.
Each of the twenty contributors tells the story of their diagnosis, of their subsequent trials and tribulations and the unique challenges that they each have faced. They share, too, their triumphs and their motivations.
‘Cancer, or having cancer, doesn’t define you, but it does let you know who you are and what you’re capable of. And you soon realize that you are capable of so many great things.’ Without exception, each of these young people has overcome great odds in order to achieve important goals. And that is one of the key messages for those of us reading their stories: to make each moment count. Or, as one of the contributors wrote: ‘Life is brief without guarantees. Procrastination may lead to regret; the only day you have to enjoy is today.’
There is sadness in these stories: cancer treatment is frequently invasive and painful, has its own rules and protocols and is not always successful. Friendships are made and broken, family members suffer. No-one wants cancer in their lives. And yet, these young people have managed to persevere and to live lives that may be constrained by cancer but are not defined by it.
‘Make every day a good day, every moment a good moment.’ These are indeed words to live by.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 8, 2009
Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors by Carolyn Rubenstein is a collection of twenty interviews with survivors of childhood cancers.
Cancer is one of those perverse diseases that is harder on you the younger you are. It thrives in the presence of the growth hormones that young bodies are so full of. Blood Matters by Masha Gessen has a long discussion of this phenomena.
Perseverance though isn't about the various diseases that all go under the "cancer" heading nor is it so much about the treatments for them. Instead it's about how having the disease chanced daily routines and created new senses of normal for these twenty patients, their family and friends.
The collection of interviews are presented in a style similar to the Chicken Soup... books. Although cancer is often deadly and probably always scary the tone of the book remains upbeat. I recommend reading only an essay or two at a time and letting each one sink in before moving on.
Perseverance happens to be a charity book. All proceeds from the book go to CCC and Chordoma Foundation.
I received a copy unsolicited and have since released it through BookCrossing.
Cancer is one of those perverse diseases that is harder on you the younger you are. It thrives in the presence of the growth hormones that young bodies are so full of. Blood Matters by Masha Gessen has a long discussion of this phenomena.
Perseverance though isn't about the various diseases that all go under the "cancer" heading nor is it so much about the treatments for them. Instead it's about how having the disease chanced daily routines and created new senses of normal for these twenty patients, their family and friends.
The collection of interviews are presented in a style similar to the Chicken Soup... books. Although cancer is often deadly and probably always scary the tone of the book remains upbeat. I recommend reading only an essay or two at a time and letting each one sink in before moving on.
Perseverance happens to be a charity book. All proceeds from the book go to CCC and Chordoma Foundation.
I received a copy unsolicited and have since released it through BookCrossing.
December 3, 2012
Cancer can make you feel incredibly isolated, but it can also help instill a sense of solidarity, especially on the case of adolescents who are often surprised to find, through their experiences with cancer, a larger community of survivors. For those who have found such a community, and for those who haven't, this book serves as a warm reminder of the strength and love that human beings are capable of showing in the case of adversity. Although penned by young adolescent survivors, most of the writing is very good, clear, and demonstrates strength of character in the midst of physical suffering and doubt. The voices are genuine, the humor refreshing, and even those of us who have not experienced cancer within our own bodies, there is a tender sense of the importance and delicacy of life that is common to us all.
August 23, 2009
Perseverance is a unique book filled with the stories of some very courageous individuals. All twenty are young college age cancer survivors. They are also the most positive, inspirational people that I’ve had the chance to learn about.
In each entry, the young person talks about their diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The trials these children have been through, often repeatedly, would be enough to make any adult fall to pieces. You’d expect that these young people would be bitter and angry at all they’ve endured. Instead, they are truly thankful for the experience and see cancer as a gift. Moreover, they’ve used what they’ve learned to make the world a bit better place.
In each entry, the young person talks about their diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The trials these children have been through, often repeatedly, would be enough to make any adult fall to pieces. You’d expect that these young people would be bitter and angry at all they’ve endured. Instead, they are truly thankful for the experience and see cancer as a gift. Moreover, they’ve used what they’ve learned to make the world a bit better place.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews