Learning to Survive
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Prior to having cancer, I thought of survival as a wilderness skill. Images of Alaskan mountains popped into my head. I pictured a sole traveler, half frost-bitten, clinging to life as he faced grizzly bears and other threats, miles from civilization. The brave wanderer would be found or saved within minutes of disaster. Mankind often succeeded over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I suppose that the sort of survival I'd previously envisioned was a primal instinct. The type of survival I'm learning about is also a skill.
Can survival be taught? Is it similar to studying French? If operating from the premise that survival is a skill, then why couldn't we learn the necessary techniques?
Cancer causes some of us to embark upon a journey of self-discovery, anyway. Our thought processes can assist or hinder us on the path toward healing. In order to cope with cancer, I tried to study methods which might help me achieve my goal of survival. To paraphrase Woody Allen: 'I don't want to attain immortality through my work. I want to attain immortality through not dying.'
How should I explain what it meant to go from a happy, healthy, woman to a breast cancer patient? My life literally changed overnight. I've wrestled with whether or not to relive those days through this writing. If it's possible to derive one idea from my story which will help, then it will be worth it. What follows are not medical recommendations, but a description of the wild journey I've taken 'Through the Looking Glass' into another world. Although I'm still in a high-risk category for a recurrence, as of this moment, I'm hoping to survive.
I was in my forties, a contented mom of three fantastic kids, happily married, and we were the new owners of a home we were all enjoying. There was some stress surrounding the move and our old house hadn't sold yet. We were settling into our new existence in the spring of 1996. The beauty of the region was impressive and the weather was mild. The countryside was an adventure. We had groundhogs and deer in the backyard; the birdlife was varied and amazing. Having only been in urban or suburban environments in the past, the sight of turtles laying eggs was still a novelty.
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About the Book
Learning To Survive is a must-read work for anyone touched by cancer. It also provides an important perspective for those trying to prevent the disease. It is not a typical cancer story. Packed with survival tips, innovative ideas, and strategies for dealing with cancer, this book examines the whole process. It begins with the shock of diagnosis, the need to make decisions, treatment information, and ends with a valuable resource list. Included also is a discussion of support and nutritional options. All individuals concerned about their health could benefit from this book.
The author had an advanced case of breast cancer and she wants to share what she has learned about surviving. Recently diagnosed patients should find the work to be of great comfort and use. The book offers friends and families of cancer patients an easily comprehensible overview of having the illness; several autobiographical accounts are included. For those in the medical profession who wish to understand the impact of a cancer diagnosis on a patient, this book is for you.
With a light, informative tone, Learning to Survive maintains that survival is a skill and that it can be learned. It is an inspirational look at how to stay alive. Instead of being a medical text, it is a quick-read, witty communication of vital facts and hope for everyone.