"I don't know what to say" and "I don't know what to do" are common responses to a life threatening diagnosis. Voices of Cancer is here to help. This new book by Lynda Wolters is a must read for anyone faced with a serious illness.
The Cancer Shift is excerpt from the Preface for this book. Lynda wrote for our blog. Every cancer story is different, but there is one commonality: both patients and the people supporting them often struggle to properly articulate their wants and needs through particularly challenging and in many cases, uncharted territory. Lynda Wolters knows firsthand: she was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal mantle cell lymphoma in August of 2016.
Voices of Cancer offers a candid look into the world of a cancer patient, informed by Lynda’s own story and conversations had with dozens of patients weighing in on their needs, wants, and dislikes as they navigate the complex world of diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. With comprehensive and accessible insight from people who’ve been there, Voices of Cancer helps educate, dispel fears, and start positive conversations about what a cancer diagnosis truly means, while shining a light on how best to support a loved one on their own terms.
Due to my chemo-induced fog, I was forced to carry around a small notebook everywhere I went; its intention was so that I could remember what people said to help take some of the awkwardness out of my inability to retain much at that time. What I noticed from my mini diary was there was a constant theme surrounding cancer patients, a difference in their perspective from others in my life who were not diagnosed with cancer. What I saw was those who were facing a life-altering, perhaps terminal diagnosis, had a new, very clear sense of perspective regarding life; they had a cancer shift.
What is the cancer shift you may wonder; simply put, it is the simple realization that life is fabulous!
This book takes the reader to many emotional truths about cancer, how cancer patients change and how it effects the patient and non-patient. Empathy, Insights about living, healing, and being terminally ill and even a section on how Not All Cancer Patients want Prayers: emotionally supporting all walks of faith in their journey to wellness. We sometimes as a friend or family member, don't know what to say or do for someone with cancer. Linda Wolters Voices of Cancer helps cancer patients know they are not alone and also helps their loved ones have better insight on what they are going through emotionally as well as physically. From my experience, when someone doesn't know what to do they don't show-up at all which is even more painful for everyone involved.
This book is a must read for anyone effected by cancer.