By Kathy LaTour

Taking Control of Your Environment

Help Me to Heal: A Practical Guidebook for Patients, Visitors, and Caregivers
Hay House, 2003
By Bernie Siegel, MD and Yosaif August

Bernie Siegel, MD has long been a voice in the cancer community for healing and hope, although his messages have irritated some who see the you-can-control-your-cancer message as pretty heavy. I never read him that way, and I love this new book because it focuses on one of my least favorite places—the hospital, a place where those coping with cancer spend way too much time. Dr. Siegel has teamed up with Yosaif August, president of Healing Environments, who describes himself as a “bedside environmentalist.” Together the authors have created a great book about how to take charge of your environment—and those who come into that environment, whether they be medical professionals or friends. It’s filled with great practical tools about space and communicating.

Dr. Siegel says to treat a trip to the hospital like a trip to a foreign country. My favorite tool in his bag is Vital Signs—actual signs that you can post to let those who enter your space know what you want and who you are. The book also has great tips for visitors and caregivers about space, dignity, and humanity. It’s not easy spending lots of time in a hospital as either a visitor or resident, and this book will help you understand how to use the time and space to promote healing and love.

Available at bookstores nationwide and www.amazon.com.

New Edition of a Favorite

A Cancer Survivor’s Almanac: Charting Your Journey
Third edition, Wiley Publishers, 2004
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
Edited by Barbara Hoffman, J.D. with an introduction by Sam Donaldson

Since its founding meeting in 1985, NCCS has led the way in issues of survivorship. This book looks at every side of cancer: the medical, emotional, spiritual, and social, and business matters such as insurance, employment, legal, and financial issues. In addition, the book brings it back to the individual and explores who we are now that cancer has entered our lives and what we can do with it if we decide to.

The authors of the various chapters are the voices of those who have been at the front of this movement since it began, bringing almost 30 years of experience to evaluating, educating, and explaining. It’s easy reading and proceeds go to support the survivor’s voice in Washington.

Available at www.canceradvocacy.org and www.amazon.com.

Free and Fantastic

The following selections are available for free to breast cancer patients and survivors at www.livingwithit.org by clicking on “Special Offers.”

Eating Well Through Cancer 2001
By Holly Clegg and Gerald Miletello, MD

This is one of my favorites —real food and real recipes with the issues of cancer in mind. What do you eat when you have mouth sores? What do you eat when you are getting ready for chemo? This cookbook is full of great ideas and great recipes from a doctor on the front lines.

Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors
Pocket Books, 2001
By Barbara Delinsky

Novelist Barbara Delinsky was no stranger to breast cancer when she created a character for a novel who was a breast cancer survivor. Delinsky’s mother died when she was a child from the disease, and Delinsky began her own breast cancer journey in 1994. But the novel she wrote wasn’t about breast cancer—it was about a strong, active woman who survived breast cancer. The character resonated with many readers, and soon the plans for Uplift were in process. She calls it the support group she never joined—on paper. Delinsky communicated with the women who bought her books, asking for their stories about breast cancer. And they responded. Delinsky divided them into different parts of the journey and created this great book of comment and clarity. No famous survivors here. Just regular women who are living and working and going through breast cancer. Their advice is the best.