Cancer - It's a Good Thing I Got It!: The Life Story of a Very Lucky Man

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Cancer - It's a Good Thing I Got It!: The Life Story of a Very Lucky Man

by David A. Koop (Goodreads Author)

4.5 of 5 stars 4.50 · rating details · 14 ratings · 10 reviews

David Koop Conquered the World of Business.
He Wasn't About to Let Cancer Put Him Under.
David Koop had it all-a storied business career, beautiful son, and prospects as far as the eye could see. Then a surprise cancer diagnosis turned his life upside down. It was osteo sarcoma-a form of bone cancer-and it was growing on his spine. Doctors told him to get his affairs in or...more

Paperback, 202 pages

Published May 24th 2011 by Outskirts Press (first published 2011)

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Feb 01, 2013 Sheli Ellsworth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-reviews

Cancer as a blessing—who knew? After a divorce and custody fight for his only child, Koop fought the real battle—one his life depended on. Doctors told Koop to get his affairs in order because the race was almost over—it was not going to be a smooth finish.
But Koop was not giving in. He had waited a long time to be a dad and a mass at the base of his spine was just an obstacle not a life sentence.//Cancer: It’s a good thing I got it// is not only Koop’s story of his cancer but the introspection...more

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Oct 29, 2012 David Hudnut rated it 5 of 5 stars

Powerful and Inspirational

I had a chance to talk to David A. Koop and his wife Carrie at length before I read his book "Cancer, It's a Good Thing I Got It!" Now that I have finished the book, I can say that he truly embodies the core messages he presents in the book: eternal optimism in the face of adversity, taking ownership of your life's course by making conscious choices about how to live it, and the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships with the loved ones in your life.

The book...more Powerful and Inspirational

I had a chance to talk to David A. Koop and his wife Carrie at length before I read his book "Cancer, It's a Good Thing I Got It!" Now that I have finished the book, I can say that he truly embodies the core messages he presents in the book: eternal optimism in the face of adversity, taking ownership of your life's course by making conscious choices about how to live it, and the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships with the loved ones in your life.

The book tells two stories. The first half is a collection of anecdotes from David A. Koop's life before he was diagnosed with cancer. These anecdotes tell the story of a young man's journey to become independent and build a fulfilling career. He starts with his difficult home life as a teenager (which many people will be able to relate to easily), and moves into his struggle to build a career. He shares a host of exciting, frustrating, humorous and amazing stories. I have no doubt there are many more life stories Mr. Koop has to share, and he could probably fill another book with them. He is a natural story teller, the kind of guy you want sitting around the campfire at the end of the day, entertaining everyone with his various misadventures.

But there is also a lot of heart in these stories. He writes about his son, who he obviously loves and cherishes dearly, and the difficult relationship he had with his son's mother. This portion of the book was moving, and revealed an entirely different side from the adventurous, action-packed "man's man" in the stories leading up to it. I think Mr. Koop presents a balanced outlook on life that both men and women can relate to.

The second half of the book goes into Mr. Koop's journey with cancer. From the initial diagnosis, to the frustrating journey with numerous doctors and chemo and pain, up until today. If you or a loved one has battled or is battling cancer, you will relate to all of this. It may dredge up painful memories of going through the process. Or it will reflect what you are dealing with on a day to day basis now. So why read it? Because the eternal optimism that David Koop embodies is woven throughout his journey with cancer. He was diagnosed with a particularly severe form of cancer but he fought to maintain a positive attitude that I find admirable and inspirational. He also reminds us of the importance of cultivating love in your life. His love for his son and his wife and stepsons were a beacon that kept him on course toward recovery.

This book serves as a reminder to all of us that no matter how many difficulties life puts in front of you, no matter how many compromises you are forced to make, no matter how much you are forced to give up, there is always a way through the pain and struggle, there is always a reason to keep on living. You just have to be open to it, and go after it, even if you have to crawl towards it.(less)

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Dec 23, 2011 Lainy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lainy by: the author

Blurb From Goodreads

David Koop Conquered the World of Business.

He Wasn't About to Let Cancer Put Him Under.

David Koop had it all-a storied business career, beautiful son, and prospects as far as the eye could see. Then a surprise cancer diagnosis turned his life upside down. It was osteo sarcoma- a form of bone cancer-and it was growing on his spine. Doctors told him to get his affairs in order.

More than three years later, Koop continues to beat the odds. Cancer: It's a Good Thing I Got It! is h...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Alexander Fontana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: health

Five stars for a deeply personal account, beginning with the devastating news of one of the most pernicious forms of Cancer - Osteo Sarcoma.

Koop leads the reader through the emotional and physical anguish of his experience with stark honesty, humility and even humor.

This book is a revaluation, showcasing the strength of the human spirit when focused by the power of love.

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Feb 24, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads.

This is an inspiring true story of a man who, like so many others, suddenly has to deal with cancer. His writing is frank and yet he doesn't sink into self-pity even when describing the most terrible medical procedures that he had to endure.

The first half of the book details the author's background, while the second half deals mainly with the ordeal of getting a diagnosis and undergoing treatment. I'm rather squeamish so I found myself rushing t...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Marion rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, non-fiction, autobiography-memoir

I received "Cancer - It's a Good Thing I Got it!: The Life Story of a Very Lucky Man" by David A. Koop through the First Reads giveaway on Goodreads. It tells the remarkable true story of Koop and his struggle with cancer. Koop's story is split up into two parts. The first part of the novel discusses his background growing up, while the second half deals with his diagnosis and the intense ordeal his treatment took him through.

Koop is very honest in his writing and not once sugarcoats anything,...more I received "Cancer - It's a Good Thing I Got it!: The Life Story of a Very Lucky Man" by David A. Koop through the First Reads giveaway on Goodreads. It tells the remarkable true story of Koop and his struggle with cancer. Koop's story is split up into two parts. The first part of the novel discusses his background growing up, while the second half deals with his diagnosis and the intense ordeal his treatment took him through.

Koop is very honest in his writing and not once sugarcoats anything, which is a very commendable thing to do when talking about cancer and the treatment's side-effects. Throughout much of the novel I found myself genuinely impressed by all that he had accomplished, especially during his younger years. Even more remarkable was how hard he fought to live. Koop explained in detail the multiple treatments and surgeries he put his body through in order to not only find a diagnosis to his cancer, but to how to beat it. While I admit that at times I did find myself skimming over the more technical details, I think it is fantastic that he took the time to describe them so as to give people a better idea of what cancer victims go through. I applaud him for not being ashamed to tell his readers of how his final surgery affected him physically, because as embarrassing as it might be for people to know of his daily struggles, it is still an important part of his journey that must be told.

I especially love the stories he told of himself and his son Christopher. Throughout much of the novel he expresses how much he loves his son, but it is beautiful how that love is genuinely felt in his writing. To read about love is one thing, but to actually be able to feel it in an author's writing is another.

There were times when Koop came off as somewhat cocky, but when you put into perspective all he has been through and worked hard for, I guess a little cockiness is OK. Unless you personally have gone through cancer or have known someone who has, it is something that is near impossible to relate to; however, Koop does an amazing job at trying to make people understand it a little better. "Cancer - It's a Good Thing I Got it!: The Life Story of a Very Lucky Man" is a fantastic book and I would recommend it to anyone.(less)

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Feb 22, 2012 Ponch rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-read

I won this book on GoodReads. When I first entered for this book I had a loved one that was suffering with Cancer. Unfortunately, he lost his battle a little over two weeks ago. This is a great book that makes you see life in a different way and shows you the amazing strength that people can have. I don't think that there is anyone out there that hasn't been affected by cancer in some way and I think this would be a great book for anyone.

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Jun 16, 2012 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

This sounded like an interesting book so I decided to enter the first-reads giveaway and I won a copy! :) This is the story of David's inspirational journey with Cancer with a positive outlook. Very real, honest and open about what he went through and could have gone through in his battle. Thankfully he won!

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Oct 06, 2012 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cancer-it-s-a-good-thing-i-got-it

This was very inspirational. I could not put the book down once I started reading it. This really puts life in perspective.
David Koop gives you a glimpse of his life before and after cancer changed his life. http://www.thesomedaygroup.com/free-c...

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About David A. Koop

High School Dropout, College Professor, Serial Entrepreneur, Cancer Survivor – Reveals How His Death Sentence Saved His life

From a runaway at 15 to the “Guru of Prepaid Legal” by 23, then on to conquering Cancer, now teaching the secrets to success and tools for true happiness!

Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker and Certified World Class Speaking Coach, David A. Koop has gone from a runaway at fif...more

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