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What Doesn't Kill You
What lies beneath survival is the realization that the end of treatment is not the end of the story.
Rachel Haynes survived cancer not once, but twice.
This is her story about facing treatment, the joy of remission, followed by the heartbreak of relapse and finally, unexpectedly, a cure. Rachel reflects on the messy psychological legacy of survival in all its raw highs and lows, and of her overwhelming urge to finally make sense of a life she never thought she would see. With taboo-breaking humour and honesty, she vividly describes her experience of cancer and the impact it has had on her loved ones alongside a tender description of how life has brought her full circle back to love.
It is a rallying call to wake up to what's important in life and never give up hope. A quest to uncover what to do when you have a second chance at life.
All profits from the book will be donated to Bowel Cancer UK.
Rachel Haynes survived cancer not once, but twice.
This is her story about facing treatment, the joy of remission, followed by the heartbreak of relapse and finally, unexpectedly, a cure. Rachel reflects on the messy psychological legacy of survival in all its raw highs and lows, and of her overwhelming urge to finally make sense of a life she never thought she would see. With taboo-breaking humour and honesty, she vividly describes her experience of cancer and the impact it has had on her loved ones alongside a tender description of how life has brought her full circle back to love.
It is a rallying call to wake up to what's important in life and never give up hope. A quest to uncover what to do when you have a second chance at life.
All profits from the book will be donated to Bowel Cancer UK.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2020
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2020
This is a book about hope, family, love and cancer.
Rachel was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer and went through surgery…..lots of surgery, chemo both IV and in tablet form, and this is her story of her traumatic journey.
It’s honest and heartfelt and so very accurate. As a stage 4 cancer host myself I know the constant fear and anxiety of the hospital appointments, treatment, scans and horror of horrors, results days. It really helps to know that others undergoing these ‘regimes’ feel exactly the same.
I loved Rachel’s humour, her family and the odd glass of wine!
If anyone is about to start any cancer treatment, is currently undergoing or has finished treatment, this really is a must read. It shows there is hope and love in this world and doctors and surgeons really are doing their very best to keep you on this planet as long as they can.
I would also recommend this for anyone who knows someone with cancer, as it gives an insight into how it feels and what’s behind the ‘I’m fine’ statement…..An emotional, honest and down to earth brilliant read.
Thank you to Ailsa at Watkins Media for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Rachel was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer and went through surgery…..lots of surgery, chemo both IV and in tablet form, and this is her story of her traumatic journey.
It’s honest and heartfelt and so very accurate. As a stage 4 cancer host myself I know the constant fear and anxiety of the hospital appointments, treatment, scans and horror of horrors, results days. It really helps to know that others undergoing these ‘regimes’ feel exactly the same.
I loved Rachel’s humour, her family and the odd glass of wine!
If anyone is about to start any cancer treatment, is currently undergoing or has finished treatment, this really is a must read. It shows there is hope and love in this world and doctors and surgeons really are doing their very best to keep you on this planet as long as they can.
I would also recommend this for anyone who knows someone with cancer, as it gives an insight into how it feels and what’s behind the ‘I’m fine’ statement…..An emotional, honest and down to earth brilliant read.
Thank you to Ailsa at Watkins Media for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
December 19, 2019
This was a very honest account of Rachel’s life during and after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. I learnt a lot about not only the treatment but the mental and emotional strain that a life threatening and altering disease has on not just the patient but also their loved ones.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 7, 2020
This is a wonderful memoir. It tells about the authors journey through stage 4 bowel cancer and her life 5 years after. I really enjoyed the second part. It answers questions people don't often think about like how you live after cancer when that is all your life has been about. I would reccomend this book.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.
March 31, 2020
Whenever you read about the C word in the news or in books it is rarely about bowel cancer. It is often skipped over and pushed to the back of the class to await further instructions. We don’t hear about it often and therein lies the problem, we don’t know anything about it. What it is, what it does and the treatment that is involved.
Rachel Haynes has fought and survived cancer twice. This is her story. Haynes takes the reader from the early stages of being diagnosed to five years after and facing its return. Haynes honestly reflects on her survival rate and breaks taboo by using humour as a support, the old ‘if you can’t laugh now, then when can you?’ She is forced to make sense of a life she never thought she would see, and that dear reader has got to mess with anyones’ head.
What I like about Haynes is that she is honest and quick witted. She doesn’t want fame or fortune as all profits from her book are donated to bowel cancer research. She wants to help people, to let others know they are not alone. She doesn’t want to be told she’s an inspiration or given that sympathetic look that she is doing great with the added thumbs up. She wants to share her story truthfully while remaining respectable and show first hand the reality of what the mind, body, everything goes through when it is under attack from cancer. Not only does cancer impact Haynes’ life but it explodes into her loved ones’ lives too. Her family are supportive and the reader sees the damage that cancer can do. To say it’s a wake up call to what is important in life would be an understatement.
My mouth was left gaping to the floor as I read about the amount of treatment that Haynes had to undertake. The keyhole surgeries, drips and wires everywhere, needles and the psychological drain that takes over the mind. I was naīve to not be aware of how much the body and mind goes through when duelling with such an grotesque enemy. It opened my eyes to this horrible part of real life, people are going through this every day.
There were many times I wanted to give Haynes a quick nudge and tell her to stop feeling guilty. After everything she has been through the last thing she should feel is guilty. But then again I know that personally I would probably feel the same. She feels bad for her family worrying about her and how much it has challenged them. This shows how extremely selfless Haynes is; a good, kind, caring person that worries about everyone else except for herself. She takes time to realise that there’s no harm in putting herself first sometimes and you do a little victory cheer when she finds love and begins to find herself again.
I give What Doesn’t Kill You…The Highs, Lows and Unexpected Gifts of Surviving Cancer By Rachel Haynes a Five out of Five paw rating.
Haynes writes with humour and honesty hand in hand. She doesn’t shy away from graphic detail, something I personally appreciated. I’d rather know how messy or unpleasant it was, rather than a glossed-over version of everything being fine. Life isn’t pretty at the best of times so why pretend that it is? Why not expose the reality and make people more aware of what happens to help encourage a better understanding? Let’s fight this thing together and shout it from the rooftops that it is not welcome here and we will fight it every step of the way. Together.
Rachel Haynes has fought and survived cancer twice. This is her story. Haynes takes the reader from the early stages of being diagnosed to five years after and facing its return. Haynes honestly reflects on her survival rate and breaks taboo by using humour as a support, the old ‘if you can’t laugh now, then when can you?’ She is forced to make sense of a life she never thought she would see, and that dear reader has got to mess with anyones’ head.
What I like about Haynes is that she is honest and quick witted. She doesn’t want fame or fortune as all profits from her book are donated to bowel cancer research. She wants to help people, to let others know they are not alone. She doesn’t want to be told she’s an inspiration or given that sympathetic look that she is doing great with the added thumbs up. She wants to share her story truthfully while remaining respectable and show first hand the reality of what the mind, body, everything goes through when it is under attack from cancer. Not only does cancer impact Haynes’ life but it explodes into her loved ones’ lives too. Her family are supportive and the reader sees the damage that cancer can do. To say it’s a wake up call to what is important in life would be an understatement.
My mouth was left gaping to the floor as I read about the amount of treatment that Haynes had to undertake. The keyhole surgeries, drips and wires everywhere, needles and the psychological drain that takes over the mind. I was naīve to not be aware of how much the body and mind goes through when duelling with such an grotesque enemy. It opened my eyes to this horrible part of real life, people are going through this every day.
There were many times I wanted to give Haynes a quick nudge and tell her to stop feeling guilty. After everything she has been through the last thing she should feel is guilty. But then again I know that personally I would probably feel the same. She feels bad for her family worrying about her and how much it has challenged them. This shows how extremely selfless Haynes is; a good, kind, caring person that worries about everyone else except for herself. She takes time to realise that there’s no harm in putting herself first sometimes and you do a little victory cheer when she finds love and begins to find herself again.
I give What Doesn’t Kill You…The Highs, Lows and Unexpected Gifts of Surviving Cancer By Rachel Haynes a Five out of Five paw rating.
Haynes writes with humour and honesty hand in hand. She doesn’t shy away from graphic detail, something I personally appreciated. I’d rather know how messy or unpleasant it was, rather than a glossed-over version of everything being fine. Life isn’t pretty at the best of times so why pretend that it is? Why not expose the reality and make people more aware of what happens to help encourage a better understanding? Let’s fight this thing together and shout it from the rooftops that it is not welcome here and we will fight it every step of the way. Together.
April 13, 2020
What Doesn't Kill You offers a personal, honest and relateable insight into the rollercoaster ride author Rachel Haynes found herself on when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with bowel cancer. With two young children to care for she suddenly found herself thrown into non-stop rounds of tests, surgery and hospital appointments within only a few weeks of visiting the GP, unable to even pause for breath,
The first half of this story concentrates mainly on those physical, tangible aspects of Rachel's diagnosis and the treatment she received. The second half however offers a much deeper insight into how her mental health and emotional well being fared throughout, especially with her relapse and subsequent terminal diagnosis. It also details the effects her cancer journey has had on those closest to her.
As the wife of a cancer patient I have to say how honest and relateable I found the descriptions of the discussions with doctors and surgeons, as well as the fear and never ending waits for results. I could feel myself back in the rooms at the hospital and could empathise with every emotion weaved within the pages. It was also eye opening for me to read the experience from the other side of the fence, as whilst I was there and help my husbands hand every step of the way he was the one actually having to go through it all.
However, despite the topic of this book, which could equate to a morbid read, I absolutely loved the message of hope and positivity that Rachel offers throughout. With the help of humour,a little wine and the unwavering support of her family she manages to offer an outlook of hope even at her lowest ebb, whilst still being brutally honest. There are plenty of poignant, emotional moments contained in this story, however it's a wonderful read that I highly recommend to anyone who wants a 'tell it like it is' account of a cancer warrior's journey. If you have been through cancer yourself or know someone who has this is such a great book to pick up.
On a personal level I found this book it really insightful and it has definitely helped me to understand some of how my husband must be feeling now his treatment is complete. I may have walked beside him throughout, but fully understand that our experiences are different. Thank you to Rachel for sharing her story so openly and I think it's absolutely marvellous that all profits are being donated to Bowel Cancer UK.
The first half of this story concentrates mainly on those physical, tangible aspects of Rachel's diagnosis and the treatment she received. The second half however offers a much deeper insight into how her mental health and emotional well being fared throughout, especially with her relapse and subsequent terminal diagnosis. It also details the effects her cancer journey has had on those closest to her.
As the wife of a cancer patient I have to say how honest and relateable I found the descriptions of the discussions with doctors and surgeons, as well as the fear and never ending waits for results. I could feel myself back in the rooms at the hospital and could empathise with every emotion weaved within the pages. It was also eye opening for me to read the experience from the other side of the fence, as whilst I was there and help my husbands hand every step of the way he was the one actually having to go through it all.
However, despite the topic of this book, which could equate to a morbid read, I absolutely loved the message of hope and positivity that Rachel offers throughout. With the help of humour,a little wine and the unwavering support of her family she manages to offer an outlook of hope even at her lowest ebb, whilst still being brutally honest. There are plenty of poignant, emotional moments contained in this story, however it's a wonderful read that I highly recommend to anyone who wants a 'tell it like it is' account of a cancer warrior's journey. If you have been through cancer yourself or know someone who has this is such a great book to pick up.
On a personal level I found this book it really insightful and it has definitely helped me to understand some of how my husband must be feeling now his treatment is complete. I may have walked beside him throughout, but fully understand that our experiences are different. Thank you to Rachel for sharing her story so openly and I think it's absolutely marvellous that all profits are being donated to Bowel Cancer UK.
February 11, 2020
What an inspiring and moving story.
Cancer is a very hard topic for me since losing my dad in 2017 to this disease.
Cancer in itself is a scary word. It’s something I am completely afraid off, as I’m sure many others are. We hear such horror stories about the disease and you instantly think straight away... ‘I’m going to die.’
What Rachel has done here however, is give hope and reassurance. She is an inspiration! To be diagnosed with stage 4 bowl cancer and live to tell the tale.
She not only talks about her diagnosis and everything that was involved to make her somewhat “better” but she talks about surviving her cancer and the ups and downs of this.
I’ve read many stories on the topic and I must admit I don’t think I have ever been able to read an ending quite like Rachel’s.
By the end of this, I was left feeling positive, motivated and inspired.
A book that everyone can enjoy and also benefit from. Especially for anyone who is/has suffered from cancer or any terminal illness in fact.
Like myself, I have Cystic Fibrosis. I constantly worry about dying, how long I have left, what happens when treatments no longer work for me. Rachel has managed to give me some peace of mind and I am thankful for this.
Cancer is a very hard topic for me since losing my dad in 2017 to this disease.
Cancer in itself is a scary word. It’s something I am completely afraid off, as I’m sure many others are. We hear such horror stories about the disease and you instantly think straight away... ‘I’m going to die.’
What Rachel has done here however, is give hope and reassurance. She is an inspiration! To be diagnosed with stage 4 bowl cancer and live to tell the tale.
She not only talks about her diagnosis and everything that was involved to make her somewhat “better” but she talks about surviving her cancer and the ups and downs of this.
I’ve read many stories on the topic and I must admit I don’t think I have ever been able to read an ending quite like Rachel’s.
By the end of this, I was left feeling positive, motivated and inspired.
A book that everyone can enjoy and also benefit from. Especially for anyone who is/has suffered from cancer or any terminal illness in fact.
Like myself, I have Cystic Fibrosis. I constantly worry about dying, how long I have left, what happens when treatments no longer work for me. Rachel has managed to give me some peace of mind and I am thankful for this.
March 9, 2020
I found this book to be heartwarming and inspirational. This is a very candid and personal story of triumph and survival. This book is sometimes humorous and often just an accounting of her dogged deterioration to survive and reclaim her life. This story spans her diagnosis treatment and five (5) years beyond.
Cancer can be such a scary diagnosis leaving on feeling like you are on your last leg of life's journey but the author faced her diagnosis and treatment by facing it bravely while trying to give her family hope. She candidly talks about everything involved with her diagnosis treatment and readjustment back to what she would call a normal but completely different life.
This is a fantastic book for anyone wishing to be inspired by a woman's journey to conquer her fears and move forward with grace during her diagnosis of a terminal illness. This was a fantastic read and I really enjoyed it.
I received this book from NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for an honest review.
Cancer can be such a scary diagnosis leaving on feeling like you are on your last leg of life's journey but the author faced her diagnosis and treatment by facing it bravely while trying to give her family hope. She candidly talks about everything involved with her diagnosis treatment and readjustment back to what she would call a normal but completely different life.
This is a fantastic book for anyone wishing to be inspired by a woman's journey to conquer her fears and move forward with grace during her diagnosis of a terminal illness. This was a fantastic read and I really enjoyed it.
I received this book from NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for an honest review.
February 9, 2020
A very personal journey of Rachel’s cancer, what she learnt and how she survived.
A hard read but worthwhile.
Surprisingly unsentimental at times and funny through her surgeries and chemotherapy.
Her family and friends were supportive and loving throughout her treatment.
A hard read but worthwhile.
Surprisingly unsentimental at times and funny through her surgeries and chemotherapy.
Her family and friends were supportive and loving throughout her treatment.
February 19, 2020
An inspiring, emotional and thought provoking read, that looks at what happens when you survive cancer and how do survivors move on from treatment to living their lives, and the lasting affects it has on them.
May 9, 2020
This book is beautifully written from the soul of a generous, brave, kind and loving woman.
The answer to the questions: me? I can answer yes to two of them.
Stay well. Stay alive! Much happiness.
Everyone read this book!! Brett Trafford
The answer to the questions: me? I can answer yes to two of them.
Stay well. Stay alive! Much happiness.
Everyone read this book!! Brett Trafford
January 7, 2021
This book was all about a cancer survivor and her life story.
October 21, 2023
Finally, a personal account of cancer that goes beyond the physical. Haynes gives insight into the psychological and emotional toll of cancer
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews