What people are saying about

This is a terrific book: well written, informative, timely and a compelling read. The narrative draws the reader in and moves forward easily as the author describes her experiences and details what she learned along the way. She reveals what she wishes she had known at the outset, what she might have done differently, and what worked out well for her. In addition to a moving history, the book encourages patients to be pro-active in treatment decisions and relationships with medical personnel. It also provides a wealth of information and reference sources covering most, if not all, aspects of breast cancer. A final, and important, note: although the book deals with breast cancer, its basic advice – and its encouragement to be an active, informed participant in one’s treatment – could easily apply to a wider range of cancers and, indeed, to a wide range of serious diseases. Highly recommended.

If you are a “Thinking Woman” and not willing to settle for the status quo concerning the treatment and/or the avoidance of breast cancer, you need this book. From personal experience and thorough research Maker shares the struggles and conclusions that has assisted her successfully through a forest of facts and opinions. No one should take this path alone. Let her help you down that path.

I think anyone who is about to head into the uncharted waters of a breast cancer diagnosis MUST read this book. Janet Maker took this journey herself and left no stone unturned regarding her treatment and her life in recovery. I trust that everything she experienced first hand will be of value to others. She excels in critical thinking skills and offers readers a full spectrum of insights, resources, and even warnings when facing a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment that applies just as well to any other crucial health issue. The information is “outside the medical box” in some ways and encourages looking and seeking all options, not just the ones provided by surgeons and oncologists. If you or someone you know is embarking on this course, don’t hesitate to offer them the benefit of Janet’s experience and ongoing learning about breast cancer, recovery, and healthful living beyond treatment.

This combination memoir/self-help book functions as a manual to aid in making informed decisions for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer or who has a friend or relative who has been.  Author Janet Maker, has written her own story about grappling with a breast cancer diagnosis. However, she has packed her narrative with facts and resources rarely encountered by the general public in dealing with the murky waters of the medical community and particularly with breast cancer specialists, diagnosis, and treatment. The author has been blunt and forthcoming about her personal experiences and current status to help other breast cancer victims fathom what their future may look like. Using extensive research and personal anecdotes, the book is presented in a simple yet comprehensive manner so anyone can understand and benefit from its observations, revelations, and recommendations.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. I certainly could have used this book then. But I have found much of value in it on how to lesson my chances of it returning and what to do if it does. To a certain extent it has given me peace of mind.