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One True Scrapper: A Memoir of Childhood Cancer, Good Eyeliner, and a Fighting Spirit
" Phenomenal resilience in the face of near insurmountable odds. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are facing unexpected challenges in your own life. Inspiring !" - Jay Wellons, MD, All That Moves a pediatric neurosurgeon, his young patients, and their stories of grace and resilience ( The New Yorker and Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2022) "Through Kaden's eyes, we see the world of childhood cancer patients. With grit, faith, and compassion . . . she is one true hero for the oncology community ." - Naina S. Mahngar, MD, Medical Hematology/Oncology
As a cheerleader beginning her junior year of high school in a small Arkansas town-home of The Nashville Scrappers-Kaden Peebles nursed an annoying pain in her hip with ibuprofen. What was first explained away and treated as a sports injury continued to escalate until a scan revealed the a malignant tumor and a diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Plunged into the world of hospitals, port placement, chemo, needles, blood counts, and the delicate balance of killing cancer while not dying, Kaden shifted into her new identity as a 17-year-old with cancer. To survive physically and emotionally through three cancer diagnoses, Kaden would draw on every lesson she learned as a member of her highly-charged and deeply-loyal school community. Nearly 7 years of fighting cancer, 35 rounds of chemo, 40 radiation sessions, 2 bone marrow transplants, and more than 180 blood transfusions later-and having witnessed the deaths of numerous children fighting cancer alongside her-Kaden reflects on how her relentless charge to survive cancer with her family, healthcare team, and community by her side has shaped her young life, guided by the belief that what might take her body could never defeat her spirit.
As a cheerleader beginning her junior year of high school in a small Arkansas town-home of The Nashville Scrappers-Kaden Peebles nursed an annoying pain in her hip with ibuprofen. What was first explained away and treated as a sports injury continued to escalate until a scan revealed the a malignant tumor and a diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Plunged into the world of hospitals, port placement, chemo, needles, blood counts, and the delicate balance of killing cancer while not dying, Kaden shifted into her new identity as a 17-year-old with cancer. To survive physically and emotionally through three cancer diagnoses, Kaden would draw on every lesson she learned as a member of her highly-charged and deeply-loyal school community. Nearly 7 years of fighting cancer, 35 rounds of chemo, 40 radiation sessions, 2 bone marrow transplants, and more than 180 blood transfusions later-and having witnessed the deaths of numerous children fighting cancer alongside her-Kaden reflects on how her relentless charge to survive cancer with her family, healthcare team, and community by her side has shaped her young life, guided by the belief that what might take her body could never defeat her spirit.
310 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 11, 2023
This is an amazing story by the sweet, fierce, and positive Kaden Peebles. I have had the honor of meeting Kaden both online and in-person through our involvement in the planner community, Planners Gone Wild, and our Go Wild annual planner conferences.
When I first met Kaden, I was impressed and inspired by her positivity, her spirit of gratitude, and her spunkiness. She was like a little sister to many of the members of PGW, and I vividly remember Naina getting all of us to contribute to surprising Kaden with a huge box of planner goodies! So, in a way, reading this book intersects with my own personal history.
Outside of my personal connection to the author, this is a very much needed story to have published. There are a lot of stories out there which tell of cancer treatment, but most of them are either focused on an adult patient or a young child. There are not too many which deal with patients in Kaden's age range, where you are considered Peds, but are transitioning into young adulthood and navigating all of those life transitions while managing a serious illness. I think it will be very valuable for people to read about Kaden's experiences and to gain hope and inspiration in her spirit, her faith, and her humor.
On another note, a close friend, Adam received a diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma a while back when he was just getting started in life as a young adult. Adam didn't win his cancer battle, but reading Kaden's story somehow helps me feel that her victory is a victory for all patients with this disease. We love you, Adam, and I still pray for you every Mass I attend.
My apologies for the lengthy and rambling review, but this book is fantastic, Kaden is amazing, and the writing is very engaging. I was brimming over with tears more times that I care to report. She makes me laugh (you twerked where?!) and cry and her story tugs at my heart and gives me encouragement for my own struggles. I highly recommend it!
When I first met Kaden, I was impressed and inspired by her positivity, her spirit of gratitude, and her spunkiness. She was like a little sister to many of the members of PGW, and I vividly remember Naina getting all of us to contribute to surprising Kaden with a huge box of planner goodies! So, in a way, reading this book intersects with my own personal history.
Outside of my personal connection to the author, this is a very much needed story to have published. There are a lot of stories out there which tell of cancer treatment, but most of them are either focused on an adult patient or a young child. There are not too many which deal with patients in Kaden's age range, where you are considered Peds, but are transitioning into young adulthood and navigating all of those life transitions while managing a serious illness. I think it will be very valuable for people to read about Kaden's experiences and to gain hope and inspiration in her spirit, her faith, and her humor.
On another note, a close friend, Adam received a diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma a while back when he was just getting started in life as a young adult. Adam didn't win his cancer battle, but reading Kaden's story somehow helps me feel that her victory is a victory for all patients with this disease. We love you, Adam, and I still pray for you every Mass I attend.
My apologies for the lengthy and rambling review, but this book is fantastic, Kaden is amazing, and the writing is very engaging. I was brimming over with tears more times that I care to report. She makes me laugh (you twerked where?!) and cry and her story tugs at my heart and gives me encouragement for my own struggles. I highly recommend it!
July 10, 2024
If you want to know what a childhood cancer patient has gone through read this book. The rawness and courage Kaden shows the readers is felt. I am a childhood cancer bereaved parent. Part 1 showed many parallels to Dalton’s initial treatment journey. Then to read what Kaden endured in part 2 of the book it saddens me even more. Yes she is here to write her story, but we need to do better for our childhood cancer fighters and survivors. There should be no childhood cancer angels.
April 26, 2026
As someone with Stage IV colon cancer but who will never have to undergo the harsh chemos and treatments Kaden received with Ewings Sarcoma and Leukemia, I am reminded that I am lucky to have outpatient chemo and be able to continue to participate in the outside world as much as I am. I am so glad she is still here and chose to share her story. (And as a fellow law school grad- good luck to her as an attorney! I am sure she will be indomitable.)
July 14, 2023
If you think you've had a rough time in life, read this book for a reality check. A high school junior when she was first diagnosed with cancer, Kaden faced and overcame a total of 3 diagnoses. In this book, she tells her story of overcoming every obstacle she's faced thus far. I know her personally, and she is a fantastic young lady!!
August 25, 2023
This book was beautifully written. A wonderful work to share what treatment for childhood cancer can and does look like, but also such an encouraging perspective! Kaden, continue to let your light shine! So proud of you, sweet girl!
July 16, 2023
Truly incredible and positive story of Kaden despite having three cancer diagnoses.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews