Product Description
While many believe that being diagnosed with leukemia is like being handed a death sentence, South Dakota native Louis George Whitehead provides living proof that survival of this life-threatening and life-changing illness is possible.

At age twenty-one, Whitehead’s doctor informs him that he is suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. After two rounds of chemotherapy and a relapse a few months later, Whitehead makes the decision to undergo a bone-marrow transplant. Living through Leukemia chronicles his story of endurance and optimism.

Whitehead shares his feelings following his initial diagnosis and through the realization that a fatal outcome was possible. He also details the events and symptoms leading up to his courageous battle and describes the importance of both his friends and family in the struggle to get well and stay that way.

If you or someone close to you is living with leukemia or is facing the prospect of a bone-marrow transplant, Whitehead’s personal reflections will serve as encouragement on how to approach each day with a leveled patience and look ahead to a more hopeful time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

disappointing
My husband was just diagnosed with AML so I was hoping that this had some insight but really learned very little - not much factual info and very little meaningful experiential stuff.The free literature from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was infinitely more meaningful.

A survivor's story
Louis Whitehead was 21 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. The disease took almost two years out of his life, where all he could focus on was his battle towards recovery. In this book, he chronicles his struggle with the illness; from the first symptoms begin to show up, through diagnosis, treatment, and finally his complete recovery. The book provides a detailed account of the steps involved in battling this life-threatening disease, including chemotherapy, irradiation, and a bone-marrow transplant, followed by a long recovery period that is both physically and emotionally exhausting. The book is mostly factual and descriptive in its writing style, but Whitehead also touches on his spiritual strength and never wavering belief that he will survive, as well as the support from family and friends that helps him pull through the ordeal. He also discusses his experiences with lengthy hospitals stays and medical staff. Many are helpful and caring, but there are others who seem to forget that they are dealing with human beings and tend to treat patients as "cases," leaving the patient feeling lost and lonely in his quest for recovery.

Whitehead's book should be helpful reading for anyone going through a similar illness, or for people whose loved ones are suffering from cancer. It gives the reader a thorough understanding of the steps involved in the battle with leukemia and shows that it is possible to come out on the other side with health and spirits intact ... Read more

Product Description
“Rusty Hammer is an inspiration … We have watched his battle with admiration, for it is a tribute to the human spirit, and to the dignity and courage of a good man.”

—Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa， City of Los Angeles

Shortly after his fiftieth birthday in 2003, Rusty Hammer’s life irrevocably changed. Diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia, he had two choices: fight or give in. And he chose to fight.

When Cancer Calls … Say Yes to Life shares Rusty Hammer’s courageous journey through cancer. With rare candor, Hammer describes how he faced his future with hope instead of succumbing to the blackness of despair. Hammer illustrates how imperative it is to live our lives to the fullest for our own emotional and physical well-being.

But Hammer takes his story one step further. He provides sound ideas on how the medical community can better serve patients confronted with this dreaded disease, and also reveals alternative ways to help cancer patients cope with their diagnosis.

Honest and heartfelt, When Cancer Calls … Say Yes to Life offers comfort and encouragement to those newly diagnosed with cancer or who have fought the disease for years.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

My Bible Now...
I met Rusty in Fall of 2007, when he worked with a group at Los Gatos High School (CA) putting on Wit, the Pulitzer Price winning play about a 50 year old professor of John Dunne, who is diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. His humility, yet passion for life and continued willingness to give amazed me. I bought his book during his first book signing event, and read it right after that. It was like the man in person, full of transparency, openness about the tough road he travelled, and very useful advice for fellow travelers. When I went to his memorial, the auditorium was filled to capacity with people he touched through all stages of his life.
A little more than a year later I was diagnosed with a cancer not quite as difficult as his, but the road is not an easy one. I reread his book, and it is always by my bedside, more poignant than ever. It gives both practical advice, and shares his spirit of hope and saying 'yes' to life.
I would unreservedly recommend it to anybody interested in what cancer is like from a patient perspective, and how to deal with it both practically and spiritually written in a clear and direct, yet personal way.

An amazing story by an amazing man
Rusty's book is a candid account of his experience living with cancer. It reflects his spirit and enthusiasm for life. Rusty lived every day to its fullest until he passed away on January 28th, 2008. He will be missed but will live on through this fabulous story. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Dealing with a life-threatening illness
The story of Dani's fight against leukemia is more than just a written history of her battle.Sue and Jay Shotel give practical advice that can be used by families dealing with any type of life-threatening illness.Three years ago my oldest daughter was diagnosed with cancer.I wish that I had found the insight shared by Sue and Jay in their book back then.My daughter is presently cancer free but faced major complications. I know we would have handled her treatment differently if we had read how the Shotels dealt with some of their unfortunate medical experiences during Dani's treatment.

My family met Dani when my daughter joined a fastpitch softball league that was coached by Jay Shotel with Dani as one of the star pitchers.You wouldn't believe the power behind her small stature.However, as you will see from this book, Dani's strength from the ballfield to life's battlefield is truly inspiring.I have passed this book on to several friends who have been awed by Dani's courage.Although you wouldn't think this book would be a page turner, you will be surprised as your interest in Dani's life will force you to keep reading.The value of reading this book is profound.A "must" read.

A Page Turner!
How can a book filled with medical terms and pharmacological interventions be a page turner?How can the chronicling of a young woman's sudden bad luck (leukemia) be a story full of laughter, joyful tears, and renewed faith in our common humanity? Well, thanks to the talents, love, and devotion of an amazing family, Dani's story is all of that and so much more.

Dani, a young, beautiful, and revered teacher, is the heroine.Though not a big woman, she has managed by sheer determination to become a star college fastball pitcher.Her perfect life is attacked by leukemia - so suddenly, so much like the intrusion by a thief in the night.Sue, Dani's mother, is herself a life long educator as is her professor husband, Jay.Now in the blink of an eye, they must respond as a team to save a life so cherished.Jay, ever the academic, fields the research arm of things.What is this cancer?What are the options?Who in medicine is best equipped to join the effort?Jay acts quickly and stays on task.From Virginia's Hospital Center Oncology Wing to Seattle's Cancer Care Alliance, Jay searches medicine's vanguard for a way to confront a leukemia known as AML (acute myelogenous leukemia).And then, Jay spearheads the search for a willing human being somewhere on this vast planet - a human being with a one-in-a-billion genetic makeup and a generous heart to match.The searching circle of love spreads faster than any cancer.Family, friends, educators, and even a professional basketball team join the desperate search.

Sue utilizes her sharpened administrative skills to keep Jay's research focused on practical and timely initiatives.She becomes a fixture in Dani's hospital room and oversees every medical intervention at the point of delivery - every pill, every enema, every blood draw.Sue records all, each day, each hour, each human contact.Is she meddling? Yes.Is her heart full of love and appreciation for the doctors, nurses, and oncology staff at both ends of the country?Most certainly.

In Virginia the love team includes Sue's sister Carol and her pharmacist husband, Bruce, as well as friends and countless professional colleagues.In Seattle by serendipity the family is joined by son Micah and his Microsoft colleagues and friends.And in Germany there is a young man.He is not Jewish and he is not of Eastern European stock.He should not be a likely donor.However, an incident in his young life causes him to have a likely donor's heart.

There is a wedding in this story, a most beautiful wedding between a Christian man of unbelievable and much tested devotion and a Jewish princess, a real Jewish princess.At the wedding a guest from a far off land is finally united with his new family.Talk about love!Talk about love!You'll have to read It's Good To Know A Miracle for yourself.Oh, and all those medical terms and pharmacological interventions, they're nicely displayed and explained for all those with interest.Dani's Story is not just for those dealing with cancer.It is for all of us who again desire to be refreshed by the beauty inherent in the human spirit.

A roadmap for patient, families, and friends
I found this to be a very easy to read book on a very serious subject.I would highly recommend this book for patients as well as families and friends of patients undergoing treatment for this disease or any of the related cancers.Although the emphasis was heavier on the emotional aspects of facing and treating this disease, I found the medical information on acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) presented in basic, easy-to-understand terms and very clear. While this is the story of one person's fight against disease, it also provides a practical roadmap for others facing a similar battle. The information and resources listed in the back of the book are fantastic and perhaps the best reason to read this book.

A Miracle Takes Hard Work!
Did you ever think about what would happen to your life and those of your loved ones if someone in your immediate family had a life and death crisis? I honestly never did because that's the kind of thing that "only happens to other people," but after reading It's Good to Know a Miracle:Dani's Story, I truly understand that it can happen to anyone of us. This powerful memoir tells the story of a vibrant 26 year old woman who is a caring special education teacher and an exceptional athlete, who had recently started dating her future husband, when she was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Within approximately a week of the onset of the symptoms, Dani's world and the people in it had their lives changed forever. This book enables the reader to follow Dani's life from the diagnosis of AML to a successful bone marrow transplant. It is the combination of a human interest story and medical facts and informationthat adds to the uniqueness of this book.

In the prologue, we learn about Dani's life before AML so that you get to know her as a young person who is already contributing to society and dreaming of becoming a wife and mother. Then in the first few chapters, the reader experiences the shock of the diagnosis (it began with a simple sore throat) and the speed with which medical decisions had to be made. It was so difficult to imagine what it must have been like teaching in your classroom one day and fighting for your life the next. However, through the integration of memories written by Dani and her parents, detailed daily journal notes which included conversations with medical personnel, emails from friends and family, and excerpts from a website about Dani which was created by her brother, I truly felt as if I were living this incredible experience. Unlike only diary entries, this combination of a variety of sources and points of view made for interesting and informative reading.

The range of emotions experienced by the reader, including hope, is one of the strengths of this book. Reading the many emails of support and encouragement which were sent to Dani by her friends and family (and even people who didn't know her personally)was uplifting. What was especially impressive was reading about the many ways people worked together to help in other concrete ways such as organizing fundraising and bone marrow drive events and donating frequent flyer miles so that her dad and boyfriend could visit her in Seattle where the transplant took place (everyone lived on the East coast). There were many opportunities provided, large and small, for people of all ages to be involved in this fight against AML. The most emotional moment of all comes when Dani and her donor, a 30 year old man from Germany (he was a one in an eight million match!), finally communicate with each other (they had to wait two years according to the rules and regulations). Their emails make you laugh (they both have a wonderful sense of humor) and cry and when he arrives in the United States to attend Dani's wedding, the feelings of elation gave me goose bumps. I actually felt like I was in the middle of their hug at their first meeting at the airport!

The structure of this book enables you to step in and out of the book, that is, at times I was engrossed in the human feelings of the people and what was happening to them but at other times I was an objective reader learning information about this disease. For example,I learned how Dani used what she knew about training as an athlete to fight AML. In addition, there is a lot of technical vocabulary relating to medicines and procedures which is necessary to understand. The words are printed in bold type with a quick definition within the text and highlighted in a gray box on the same page with a more in-depth explanation. Another feature, which was most informative and practical, was the appendix which included "Lessons We Have Learned," how to organize and publicize bone marrow drives and fundraising events, the purpose and design of a website, organizations that provide support for families, and how to be an advocate when dealing with insurance companies. This beneficial section is what you will remember if you are ever faced with such a life-altering experience.

Can your world be turned upside down but have a happy ending? Can a "global village" unite to save one person? Reading about the Shotel family's journey to survive AML is a heartfelt account which will have you saying, "It's Good to Know a Miracle." ... Read more

Product Description
Focuses on children with leukemia and follows them as they are treated for their illness. ... Read more

Product Description
The second edition of this complete parent guide not onlyoffers detailed and precise medical information about leukemia,but also day-to-day practical advice on how to cope with procedures,hospitalization, family and friends, school, and social, emotionaland financial issues. It contains significant updates on treatments,chemotherapy drugs, bone marrow transplants, coping with side effects,and resources, and features a personal treatment summary and long-termfollow-up guide for your child to keep as a permanent record.Obtaining a basic understanding of medical terminology, how drugs work,common side effects of chemotherapy, and how to work more effectivelywith medical personnel can only improve the quality of life for thewhole family suffering along with their leukemic child. And storiesfrom "veteran" parents who describe their emotional ups and downs,how they coped, and how they molded their family life aroundhospitalizations can be a tremendous comfort. Just knowing that thereare other kids on chemotherapy who refuse to eat anything but tacosor who have frequent rages can make one feel less alone.Parents who read this book will encounter medical facts simply explained, advice to ease their daily life, and tools to be a strong advocate for their child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Excellent reference book, but...
This is an excellent reference book, but if you are a mom like me who wants to know what likely 'caused' this disease, I highly recommend you read 'Currents of Death' by Paul Brodeur. Chances are you and your child are living in the first or second home closest to an electrical transformer (mounted on a utility pole outside) or you're living within two homes of an electrical substation. Please research this for yourself...

Very Helpfl and honest
i purchased this for my co-worker whose 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with leuikemia - it has been very helpful and is a must have for anyone going through this

Childhood Leukemia - excellent resource
If you are in the sad position to need facts about childhood leukemia this book is an excellent reference and has been highly recommended by many doctors.It is well referenced, easily understood and will give you much of the information you need to walk this [sad, anxiety laden, tear-filled] path with your family and friends.

Childhood Leukemia
A great help.Full of factual information and practical tips from parents who've "been there."It's a valuable resource for those of us who have a child who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

A "Must-Have" for the family
I was loaned the 2nd Edition in the hospital after our son was diagnosed with ALL.This book is so valuable to the family to help you learn and weather through all the processes you could face during this difficult time.I knew I had to have my own copy and bought a second copy of the 3rd edition to share with other families through the hospital.Many other members of our family intend to buy their own copies of the book as well.

If you are hungry for information, buy this book.It calmed my nerves and made me a better team member in my son's fight against cancer. ... Read more

Product Description
For the most honest, objective opinion, HealthScouter provides a patient's view of the most common medical problems. Including hundreds of quotes, questions, and answers from patients themselves, this guide provides comprehensive information about a single condition for from perspective that matters: the patient's perspective. Understand how current patients approach their medical challenges, and help overcome your own. This reference will help you see through obscure medical jargon and limited treatment options and empower you to better understand the issues that really matter: Diagnosis + Symptoms + What to Expect + Treatment Options + Medical Terminology ... Read more

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What people need to know—right from the start—about their cancer

More than 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with various forms of cancer this year.They, their families, and their caregivers will all be seeking information about their specific cancertype. This guide from the experts at the American Cancer Society gives them what they need toknow, right from the start. ... Read more

Product Description
Shortly after her thirty-seventh birthday, Wall Street Journal reporter and editor Laura Landro was told that she had chronic myelogenous leukemia. Survivor is the remarkable account of her battle against this devastating, potentially fatal cancer -- and her successful struggle to take control of her own case.

At first almost paralyzed with fear when diagnosed with this form of blood cancer, Laura Landro resolved to use her journalistic training to seek out the treatment that would give her the best shot at surviving. Noting that most Americans spend more time researching what kind of car to buy than they do their health care, she shows how and why all patients can -- and must -- arm themselves with the facts, learn to understand medical jargon, get doctors to answer all their questions in layman's terms, weigh conflicting medical opinions, and make the difficult choice among the options open to them.

Survivor is a moving, deeply personal account of a life-and-death experience. In it, Laura Landro tells of a fight to live that brought her to the brink of death -- and to a despair that at times made her wonder if the struggle was worth it. Her inspiring story offers all readers hope and the know-how to navigate the terrifying and bewildering world of medicine, even when they are very ill and at their most vulnerable.

Laura Landro has written a book that is must reading for everyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, and for everyone who has a cancer patient in the family. It will rank beside such classics as Norman Cousins's Anatomy Of an Illnes As Perceived by the Patient, Cornelius Ryan's A Private Battle, and John Gunther's Death Be Not Proud, at once a work of literature and a manifesto for every cancer patient. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

I ordered it today!
We happened to meet Laura's brother and wife at a destination wedding last week.He shared with us their story at breakfast one morning, he had us on the edge of our chairs.I can't wait to read this book!

Should be required reading
Ms. Landro is the quintessential reporter who 'reported' the biggest story of her life, and thereby saved it in the process.She described how she took charge of her battle against leukemia, rather than ceding her life to what looked like very dangerous medicine, and it worked.Landro's story is about the incredible power of a bright and utterly rational person to shape her destiny and survive because of it.The book belongs in hotel rooms with the Gideon Bible (no, INSTEAD of the Gideon Bible...) and ought to be dispensed in pharmacies and physicians offices.It's the ultimate celebration of the human will to survive.

5 stars if you need a BMT; 1 star if you don't
Reviewing this book gives me problems.My spouse is awaiting a bone marrow transplant for CML, the same disease that Landro had.And in many ways, this book was very good, empowering us by leading us to good websites, recommending the book Mira's Month for my small daughter , and letting us know what to expect as far as side effects, etc.What I think the book lacks is emotion/humanness--although there are times that Landro tells us how she feels, much more ofetn things are summed up by "just get through it."I also believe that Landro's experiences with her transplant may not be as relative to people like us, who have financial concerns, who have small children, who are not fortunate enough to have a perfect sibling match (we do, happily, have perfect unrelated donor matches--bless them!).I think that Landro's choice to not name her husband was unsettling--although she probably chose not to in order to respect his privacy, I feel it would have been better to state that at the outset--I was left with the impression that although he did accompany her through a very difficult time, he was not worthy of a name.Another very real problem I have with this book is its title--I believe that it is a marketing ploy, because I do not believe IN ANY WAY that this book is about "taking control of your fight against cancer"--it is about one woman's bone marrow transplant, and I knew that going in; had I bought this book thinking it would empower me to fight against cancer, I would be very disappointed, because although one or two chapters may deal with that, it certainly is not true of the whole book.I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone undergoing a BMT, but I would not recommend it to someone with prostate cancer or melanoma--it simply is not relevent to cancers that do not require a BMT.I am asking our friends to buy it, because it is very relevant to OUR type of cancer and our need for a BMT--but may not be to other people who are not in this particular boat.

Aprimer for doctors in the information age
Laura Landro tells her story of survival from chronic myelogenous leukemia and bone marrow transplantation with the excitement and fullness of fine fiction.

As she enters " the netherworld of medicine", Laura'sjournalist's instincts kick in.Information proves crucial, for she mustchoose between two cancer centers with subtly differing treatment protocolsand prepare for the certain loss of ovarian function to chemotherapy.

Attitude and humor help pass the darkest sickroom days. Imagine watchingLaura, pallid from anemia and bloated from steroids, primp, preparing herface for the future. A reading of her mother's daily log definesdetermination and suggests, incidentally, that fine writing must behereditary.Humor is good medicine: Her brothers' constant high spiritspenetrate the wall of pain.Her colleagues from "The Wall StreetJournal" perform a hilarious video skit that pulls her toward thefuture.

Support materializes from friends and "the ranks of afflictedwant to reach out to you...and put you in touch with experts who helpedthem." At a near breaking point for Laura, Marilyn's unforgettable letterplums the depths and eloquence of friendship.

Healing goes beyondhospital walls.

If Survivor is a"survival guide" for patients, it isequally a primer for healthcare providers in the information age.Patientswho arrive with Internet pages are today's survivors. Like Laura Landro,they plan to "come out on the other side".Doctors couldn't play on abetter team.

Guidebook for a "cancer experience" from a survivor
Laura has done an excellent job of not only sharing an intensely personal cancer experience, but she has also gathered together multiple resources and self-advocacy behaviors under one bookcover to aide all individuals,families or friends confronted with the same. Her forthright honesty,ability to include even the little daily details of living/surviving, andher fantastic sense of humor blend together to give a sense of control andhope to all of us. Almost everyone today is touched in some way by cancer,whether it be ourselves, a family member or a friend.We can all learnfrom what Laura has shared.I commend her greatly for such an insightfuland useful book. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide offers cancer patients a complete understanding of every aspect of bone marrow transplant procedures, explaining how they are used in conjunction with other treatments. Includes a glossary of related terms and a resource section with suggested reading and support service lists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bone Marrow Transplants by Shaffer
The author explains the complex bone marrow concepts in simple
English. There is an American Bone Marrow Registry in order to
facilitate transplant management.

Allogenic transplant recipients are matched to specific donors. Syngeneric transplants involve identical twins .An autologous transplant utilizes the patient's own bone marrow during the transplant process. There are important considerations prior to going forward with the bone marrow transplant procedure:

- Has cancer metastasized into the bone marrow itself?
- Should anti-cancer treatments be performed first?
- When should peripheral stem cell harvesting be done?

This work sets forth important bone marrow transplant information
in a readable form. ... Read more