Best Suggestions of Books to Read

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Charlotte57
Charlotte57 Member Posts: 35
edited March 2015 in Just Diagnosed

I was just given the diagnosis of IDC, grade 3, estrogen & progesterone positive, moderate. I was looking for a book to read, but I am overwhelmed by the choices. The costs are a little high to just grab a handfull! I read on my Nook. Read a lot of information on this website, but am just reaching out to others. Any advice on books that were loved and even those that weren't as helpful would be greatly appreciated

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Hi Charlotte,

    While you're sure to receive some good suggestions here, you may want to check out the forum Recommend Your Resources, and post your questions there.

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • gypsyjo
    gypsyjo Member Posts: 304
    edited March 2015

    I checked out a couple books from the library that I would highly recommend. They both cover all the basics and have other complementary sections. Dr Susan Love's Breast Book was described as "the bible for women with breast cancer". It is my go-to source so much so I have preordered the 6th edition that will be coming out in Sept. It has answered about all my questions. I also checked out (and ordered) The Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Book. This one had easily understandable explanations and illustrations.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    I second the suggestion of using the library. There are a lot of books out there on the subject that are not worth the paper on which they are written! Some of them are thoroughly annoying. Dr. Love's book is due for a much-needed update but is pretty solid on anatomy, surgery, etc. I liked the Mayo Clinic book, too. I also found "Coping With the Emotional Impact of Cancer" by Neil Fiore to be a helpful companion.

    I don't know if you're in a relationship or not. My husband and I found "Stand By Her" to be very helpful for him in dealing with this. We did have to discuss some of the precepts and agree to our approach to them but, all in all, it's been helpful. He did NOT like "Breast Cancer Husband."

    I'm sorry you're here with us, Charlotte, and wish you well as you make your way through the shock of diagnosis and on to treatment. Take care.

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  • Charlotte57
    Charlotte57 Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2015

    Thank you for the suggestions! I got the book "Breast Cancer: Start Here" by Julie A Buckley & Ankit Desal, which I started and like but I read on a Nook and the book had loading isses. So then I got the book "Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers" by David Chan, and I am "enjoying" it but it is a bit dated. I will try Dr Love's book next. I just ordered my husband "Breast Cancer Husband: How to Help Your Wife (and Yourself) during Diagnosis, Treatment and Beyond". I hope it's better than the original Breast Cancer Husband based on your above review!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2015

    Dr Love's book was recmmended by many, docs and friends who have had bc alike, and I quite liked the straightforward writing. I found most of the helpful husband books to be shallow and too full of anecdotes and not any real information that could help my husband. Mostly he just figured it out himself, like I did, and somehow we helped each other. Be careful what you read and buy to read-I remember a couple of supposedly helpful books that only scared more more.

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  • tgtg
    tgtg Member Posts: 266
    edited March 2015

    Dr. Marisa Weiss's Living Well beyond Breast Cancer was a wonderful companion. I read it early, right after dx, and it was so informative about not just getting past the hurdle but also about living well, or as well as possible during and after treatment. As the pun in the title suggests, her approach is positive and upbeat, and her speaking voice in the book is natural and highly reader-friendly. (I can say this about her voice in the book since i heard the same voice when she became my rad onc--after I read it,)

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    I also like Marisa Weiss's book. Charlotte, I hope your husband likes BCH - you just never know what will help one person and annoy another. I would suggest talking through some of the issues/suggestions raised by any of those books. My husband occasionally took the author's advice as gospel and it was not always helpful/suitable to me.

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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited March 2015

    is it helpful to read these books when I have had a lumpectomy and don't anticipate chemo. Or do u feel it cans are me more. I need something rowdy are myself. But somehow not scare me more than I am ready scared

    I don't work and haven't in years due to having a daughter with Asperger's syndrome. Although for past couple years she has bed away at a program and also college. I am a private person and don't have a lot of friends. And I am not one to disclose this. My husband knows Two sisters whoever out of state. One sister I see more often since she USA. Hour and a half away. A best friend who is out of state. My 18 year old college freshman is out of state.but does know

    My point is there r too any hours in the day to think about this. I was going to the gym almost daily. Weight training. Treadmill. But haven't gotten back yet and have to be careful with arm weights

    Was finally gping to explore taking courses and so meeting new people after a bout with depression after being an empty nester and also marital problems

    I got off on a tangent. I think this post would be better in a diff subject line

    The bottom line is I usually don't feel I get help from just reading. And not one thst knows how to quiet my head and meditate

    Open to suggestions


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  • florida2015
    florida2015 Member Posts: 186
    edited March 2015

    sorry autocorrect created typos

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    There's also lots of excellent reading resources listed here too that you ladies and men may like to take a look at.

    Recommended Reading





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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    Hi, Florida - I just wanted to say that I sympathize with your brain getting stuck on this; it's hard NOT to. You might want to see if your cancer center (or any hospital, etc., in town) offers something like a support group, a meditation group or a yoga group for cancer patients. These are usually geared towards those of us who really need solid techniques for calming our minds, re-connecting with our bodies in a positive way, and being with people who understand. Many times they are free - the challenge is to find them. Your breast surgeon or nurse practitioner might be able to recommend some resources/groups.

    Getting back to the gym even for a modified routine will probably feel really good. And taking classes is a great idea - our minds want something to focus on so you might as well give it something more enjoyable than cancer to work with!

    Good luck to you. ((((Hug))))

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