Carol Matzkin Orsborn | Linda Quigley | Karen Leigh Stroup | Susan Kuner
One woman in four will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of her life, yet the current language of cancer therapy is profoundly unfeminine, urging patients to take a macho stance and fight the "battle" of their lives. Many women say this military terminology makes them feel like they are at war with themselves, and that those who survive the competition are winners and those who die are losers.
Speak the Language of Healing seeks to offer readers a new, replacement language of healing and learning. It contains a study guide with exercises and questions to be used as each chapter is read and shares the stories and insights of four baby boomers who were treated for breast cancer. Susan, Carol, Linda, and Karen hail from different spiritual backgrounds--one is Christian, one Jewish, one Sufi, and one 12-Step--but each sought to use cancer as a catalyst for a deeper understanding of life. These women suggest that one can take a spiritual journey through cancer and in the process gain a greater appreciation for the sacredness of each breath.
Hailed by Richard Carlson, author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, as "a thought-provoking must-read about the 'big stuff'," it's a wonderful resource for women with breast cancer--and for interested individuals who want to learn a new way of offering support to those who are ill. --Nancy Monson
1 Absolutely the BEST book about breast cancer!
This is the BEST book I have read about Breast Cancer - and I've read a lot!
When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year I went through the range of emotions most women go through - it was such a shock to my system. I'm still healing - but this book helped me so much on my journey - I love it. Ordered three for my friends and I'm just about to order another two -'cause I gave my one away and another friend of mine has just been diagnosed with breast cancer.
If you are faced with this challenge - please don't miss this book! I was overwhelmed with all the information I had to wade through - including all the books I read - I really wanted to understand what was happening to me and the significance of it in my life.
Actually I thought my journey was over.. but sitting with the women in this book, I've come to understand there really is a healing power in the universe that loves and sustains us - no matter what happens in our lives.
This book should be in EVERY hospital and clinic library but I've never seen it there. Gotta go and order some more!
With blessings for your healing journey. :-))
2 My Key to Breast Cancer
I was lent this book last night and finished reading it this afternoon. I am 31 years old and was diagnosed with breast cancer this month. While getting ready to have my second surgery and embark on a whole world of unknowns, I have been searching for a way to navigate through this experience.
This was it. I am going to be sure that everyone I know who wants to truly understand breast cancer and what I am going through and going to be going through reads this book.
3 A different voice
When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer several weeks ago, I began the search to find books that offered more than just descriptions of symptoms and treatments. While those are useful for her for now, I needed something more. This book was beautiful--and I would recommend it for anyone. Each woman is in a different stage, has taken a different route, and comes from a different spiritual perspective. The words were healing and I know I will refer back to them time and again. Each writer truely gave a gift.
4 A woman centered approach the the diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Susan Kuner, et al. have managed to craft the quintessential cancer guide by women for women. I wish I'd had this book at hand when my best friend was diagnosed in 1995. So many of the hard questions she asked were thoughtfully and brilliantly answered by the four women who shared their personal experiences and the answers they found in this marvelous book.
Women approach illness and the possibility of death with a completely different mindset than their male counterparts. Going to war against a disease does not come naturally for most women, and the gentle, philosophical thoughts offered by Kuner, et al should be required reading with any woman facing a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Bravo! Marvelous writing, and even better advice. Thank you for creating such a worthwhile project.
5 Best cancer book I read
I spent all of 1999 dealing with breast cancer. Aside from Dr. Susan Love's Breat Book, this was the singularly most helpful book I read, even though I read it after I was through with breast cancer, if ever one is. It was direct, personal, spoke concretely from experience, and rang true, even though each person's experience differs. These women offer a great gift amidst the large selection of cancer books.Cannot recommend highly enough, and friends, I read a heck a of a lot of cancer books this year!
6 This is a remarkable book!
It addresses a question central to all of us: When faced with our mortality, how do we respond? Each of these women has a gift for sharing her own response in an extremely articulate and thought-provoking way.
Unfortunately, I think the book's cover is misleading because it is geared so specifically toward women who have breast cancer. I do not have cancer. Yet once I started reading, I had trouble putting it down. The book is filled with hard-earned lessons that are germane to me and would be to any reader. Substitute "cancer" for any profound adversity or loss, and you will learn from it. The book is really about four women who have extraordinarily resilient spirits and a gift for expressing their journey. I laughed, I cried, and I hope that I, too, possess such courage.
7 Invaluable for families
When your daughter is one of the authors, it is difficult to read such a book, especially when their writing is so compelling. However, our relationship is our most important reason for recommending that families read the book. The insights the authors have obtained through their experience can be invaluable to families who have a loved one with cancer. It will help you better understand and communicate with the ones you love. Besides the value of the advice they offer, the book is extremely well-written and the authors' styles blend seamlessly into a harmonious presentation and experience for readers.
8 A must read.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. My mother had breast cancer, and while I was as supportive as I could be, there were a lot of things I would have not otherwise understood that the book explained. Reading it helped me understand the subtle emotions and transformations that these four women have gone through (and are still going through.)
On one hand, breast cancer is undeniably the focus of the book. But beyond that, there are amazing stories of personal understanding and growth. By using their circumstances for transformation rather than tragedy, the authors are an inspiration to everyone.
9 This book is relevant, timely, honest, and helpful
Speak the Language of Healing will be helpful not only to women with breast cancer, but to anyone who is facing a life-threatening illness. The authors manage to draw upon their own experience without being either sentimental or self-centered. The thesis of the book is that there is more to be gained from recognizing and dealing honestly with illness than from "going to war" against it. This is partly because in a war there must be a winner and a loser, but human life is, from the moment of birth, a journey toward death and it is possible to live successfully even if one finally dies as a result of cancer. The insights from psychology, from theology, and from personal experience honestly related are all helpful and encouraging. Give this book to your friends---even the ones who don't realize yet that they are going to die from something!
