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The Layman's Guide To Surviving Cancer: From Diagnosis Through Treatment And Beyond
A diagnosis of cancer, life-changing for both patients and their loved ones, presents many questions: How will the disease and treatments affect you? What can you do to arm yourself for the battle? What roles do diet, stress, attitude and faith have on its progression? Perhaps most importantly: How do you and your loved ones maintain a sense of normalcy as you prepare for the unknown?
Receiving praise from some of the leading oncologists in the country, The Layman's Guide to Surviving Cancer addresses the physical, emotional, dietary, holistic and spiritual aspects of your diagnosis, each invaluable in achieving a healthy body and mind. Drawing on his experiences as a leukemia survivor, and his legal experience, Howard Bressler breaks down the practical issues of dealing with cancer, empowering you and your loved ones to defeat whatever challenges you may encounter on the journey ahead.
Receiving praise from some of the leading oncologists in the country, The Layman's Guide to Surviving Cancer addresses the physical, emotional, dietary, holistic and spiritual aspects of your diagnosis, each invaluable in achieving a healthy body and mind. Drawing on his experiences as a leukemia survivor, and his legal experience, Howard Bressler breaks down the practical issues of dealing with cancer, empowering you and your loved ones to defeat whatever challenges you may encounter on the journey ahead.
274 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
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June 17, 2014
A special thank you to Langdon Street Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Howard Bressler’s The Layman’s Guide to Surviving Cancer provides a wealth of information, addressing the physical, emotional, dietary, holistic and spiritual aspects of cancer diagnosis!
His book, along with Bressler’s website, offers invaluable information for achieving a healthy body and mind for patients of cancer, the family, and those who desire a better understanding of issues surrounding this illness— an easy to read layman’s point of view format, versus boring medical jargon.
On a personal note, I received the devastating news of cancer, of both parents this past year. My mom, age 82 has colon cancer and secondary liver cancer, currently undergoing chemo. Dad, age 83 has Stage 1 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both parents had previously been very healthy, actively working out six days a week, fit, a healthy lifestyle, with normal checkups and no family history of cancer.
The news has been shocking—a roller coaster ride and ongoing journey with mom, being in and out of the hospital since receiving her news—surgery, colon resection, double pneumonia, blood transfusions, blockage, heart problems, lung and kidney infections, etc. (this was all prior to starting chemo).
After having her port installed (to receive her drip), she started on a combo of pills and drip, at a high dosage (Xeloda and Avastin). With several complications, her dosage of the pills has been reduced several times. She currently is managing her symptoms, and we hope for the best to reduce the cancer and manage her symptoms. We have been very fortunate with dad, as he does not require any treatment or medications at this time.
They look after one another, and continue to work out, and manage their lifestyle at a much slower pace, as both tire easily. I have urged mom to maintain a food journal, as appears she has a sensitivity to certain foods and believe each person’s body reacts to chemo in different ways—combination of foods, stress, and other items affect symptoms, and progression, as reiterated throughout this incredible book.
The Layman’s Guide to Surviving Cancer was extremely helpful to me, as mom and dad do not research anything surrounding their illness, nor ask a lot of questions—almost to the point of not knowing is better. I am the one in the family constantly researching, reading, questioning, and recommending things as well as prompting them what to ask the oncologist, always making suggestions.
Receiving praise from some of the leading oncologists in the country, The Layman’s Guide to Surviving Cancer addresses these issues on a personal level, drawing on his experiences. As a leukemia survivor, and his legal experience, Howard Bressler breaks down the practical issues of dealing with cancer, empowering you and your loved ones to defeat whatever challenges you may encounter on the journey ahead.
Highly Recommend this well-written and insightful book, as well as the website, for updated resources.
Bio
Howard has been practicing law in New York City for more than twenty years, and has extensive experience in toxic tort and chemical exposure cases. Part of that work has involved investigating the science behind diseases, including cancer, and working with expert scientific witnesses in order to make complicated issues regarding disease causation and progression understandable to lay-people.
In August 2000, Howard was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He underwent high-dose chemotherapy and participated in a clinical trial using arsenic trioxide to treat his cancer. In The Layman's Guide To Surviving Cancer, he puts his analytical skills, perspectives and personal and professional experience to work in crafting a roadmap for others to follow as they navigate the road to cancer survivorship.
Visit him online at HowardBressler.com. The purpose of We Can Survive Cancer is to provide a source of information and encouragement to cancer patients and their loved ones and provide a forum where we can get together and help each other out.
Howard Bressler’s The Layman’s Guide to Surviving Cancer provides a wealth of information, addressing the physical, emotional, dietary, holistic and spiritual aspects of cancer diagnosis!
His book, along with Bressler’s website, offers invaluable information for achieving a healthy body and mind for patients of cancer, the family, and those who desire a better understanding of issues surrounding this illness— an easy to read layman’s point of view format, versus boring medical jargon.
On a personal note, I received the devastating news of cancer, of both parents this past year. My mom, age 82 has colon cancer and secondary liver cancer, currently undergoing chemo. Dad, age 83 has Stage 1 chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both parents had previously been very healthy, actively working out six days a week, fit, a healthy lifestyle, with normal checkups and no family history of cancer.
The news has been shocking—a roller coaster ride and ongoing journey with mom, being in and out of the hospital since receiving her news—surgery, colon resection, double pneumonia, blood transfusions, blockage, heart problems, lung and kidney infections, etc. (this was all prior to starting chemo).
After having her port installed (to receive her drip), she started on a combo of pills and drip, at a high dosage (Xeloda and Avastin). With several complications, her dosage of the pills has been reduced several times. She currently is managing her symptoms, and we hope for the best to reduce the cancer and manage her symptoms. We have been very fortunate with dad, as he does not require any treatment or medications at this time.
They look after one another, and continue to work out, and manage their lifestyle at a much slower pace, as both tire easily. I have urged mom to maintain a food journal, as appears she has a sensitivity to certain foods and believe each person’s body reacts to chemo in different ways—combination of foods, stress, and other items affect symptoms, and progression, as reiterated throughout this incredible book.
The Layman’s Guide to Surviving Cancer was extremely helpful to me, as mom and dad do not research anything surrounding their illness, nor ask a lot of questions—almost to the point of not knowing is better. I am the one in the family constantly researching, reading, questioning, and recommending things as well as prompting them what to ask the oncologist, always making suggestions.
Receiving praise from some of the leading oncologists in the country, The Layman’s Guide to Surviving Cancer addresses these issues on a personal level, drawing on his experiences. As a leukemia survivor, and his legal experience, Howard Bressler breaks down the practical issues of dealing with cancer, empowering you and your loved ones to defeat whatever challenges you may encounter on the journey ahead.
Highly Recommend this well-written and insightful book, as well as the website, for updated resources.
Bio
Howard has been practicing law in New York City for more than twenty years, and has extensive experience in toxic tort and chemical exposure cases. Part of that work has involved investigating the science behind diseases, including cancer, and working with expert scientific witnesses in order to make complicated issues regarding disease causation and progression understandable to lay-people.
In August 2000, Howard was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He underwent high-dose chemotherapy and participated in a clinical trial using arsenic trioxide to treat his cancer. In The Layman's Guide To Surviving Cancer, he puts his analytical skills, perspectives and personal and professional experience to work in crafting a roadmap for others to follow as they navigate the road to cancer survivorship.
Visit him online at HowardBressler.com. The purpose of We Can Survive Cancer is to provide a source of information and encouragement to cancer patients and their loved ones and provide a forum where we can get together and help each other out.
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