Life's Too Short : My Autobiography

by Helen Rollason

In August 1997, Helen Rollason was diagnosed with cancer. This text contains her story since her diagnosis. She recounts experiences that gave her confidence and strength, presents anecdotes from her day-to-day life, and talks of the importance of her daughter and her cat.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Mary Karpel-Jergic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tragic story of a 43 year old woman, full of life and energy, diagnosed with cancer and dead two years later. If anyone holds the naïve view that positive thinking will overcome all needs to read this book. Just goes to show that people who are optimistic and full of hope die from cancer just as horrendously as pessimistic, negative thinkers.

It is heart-breaking to read of how she feels about leaving her teenage daughter ("When I do go, I want there to be a good feeling, a shared knowledge that we have had something very special, the imprint of a beautiful relationship which will endure with her and ultimately triumph over the sadness and hurt") and how she does her utmost to cope with treatments and their debilitating effects. Yet, there is something uplifting and beautiful in her account. It's the human condition that we all have to face - our mortality. Clearly, there was a great light shining in Helen Rollason, it's such a shame that it had to go out so soon.

But she leaves a wonderful legacy - The Helen Rollason Cancer Support Centres.

[Ali Al-Birminghami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice premise, but a disappointingly predictable account of the challenges of living with cancer.

[Curlywurly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly inspiring and uplifting.