“You are not alone in your thoughts…

This book is well written by a woman who knows how it feels as a patient not just as a Doctor. Some good advice.”

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“So accurate and true.

My own experiences over the past two years started to make sense at last. It’s an excellent book. Thank you.”

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“This is a brilliant book. It doesn’t patronise or indulge the cancer sufferer. With wit and experience as both doctor and patient, Dr Thompson lets you know what to expect, what to ask for and what to do for yourself if you find yourself faced with a breast cancer diagnosis. This books let you take charge of looking after your own body as far as you can and acknowledges your right to clear answers and appropriate treatment. She doesn’t dismiss the help of diet and faith and the support of friends, but she also asserts the essential role of medical treaatment. Other books may have similar content – this one presents it in a way that can be accessed in small doses for those lacking the energy to want more than the answer to an immediate question (chapter summaries, key points, a good index) whilst also providing a readable, often humorous, account of her own direct experience. I’m not surprised to see that it’s won the Words for the Wounded Independent Author Book Award.”

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“The true friend of the patient

I read this book avidly as a cancer survivor and as a healthcare provider. The book is organized with chapters describing in easy layman’s language the basics of breast cancer investigation and treatment – very valuable. However, the true power of the book lies in the passages in which she describes her own personal experiences with breast cancer. Those parts are harrowing and vivid, with dashes of surprising humour. I read about her experiences with the medical bungling with a racing heart. If care that bad can happen to a doctor, what hope is there for the rest of us? Her story is a painful reminder that we must be constantly vigilant when dealing with “the system.” Throughout, I was charmed by her open and confidential writing style, and l look forward to more work from this true friend of the patient.”

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“This book is beautifully written and a compulsive page-turner. The author has achieved a powerful blend of factual information delivered in accessible language with the warm intimacy of her own story. One feels privileged to read it.”

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“I know this book will help and guide so many people through their cancer journey because I really believe that unless you experience it yourself you can not possibly understand how awful the chemo makes you feel and how terrifying every test is and waiting for the results and how your world just changes with those awful words “you have cancer”.

This book will teach them to speak out and question their treatment and to try understand exactly what is wrong and how they will be treated.  I think that most of us don’t speak up enough and are so polite, never querying anything and just presuming that the doctors are right. I truly believe knowledge is power and you are giving people this knowledge.This book can be like having a friend holding your hand.”

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“I found this book to be a great story in itself- it is not just a guide to breast cancer treatment- but also you really wanted to know more about the Author and her experience. it is written with great humour and you also get a feel for the vulnerability of this apparently strong woman. This book really is a great read- I am looking forward to part II to see how Kathleen gets on…”

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“I strongly recommend this book. After reading it, I gave it to a friend of mine who recovered from breast cancer two years ago. She was tearful after she read it, saying “why wasn’t this available three years ago.” It is an essential read for patients, the relatives and friends of cancer patients and for the medical profession. More than that, it is a thoroughly good and entertaining read.“

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“This book is a nice balance between the personal story of the author and useful facts and references. I am fortunate in never having a cancer diagnosis but I think this would be really helpful for anyone who has and is going through the treatment process. The advice is both practical and sympathetic and would also help friends and relatives trying to support someone, providing insight into how it feels to be the patient. Although the author is specifically writing about her experiences with breast cancer, many of the issues and emotions will be relevant to other cancer diagnosis. It is also well written and I found it a real ‘page turner’. I would recommend this book to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis.”

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“This is a brilliant book. It’s honest and brave of the author to share her experience. It’s enlightening and provides so much information. Not an easy subject for anyone to deal with but this book is full of advice, explanation and positive energy. A must to read for anyone experiencing cancer or close to someone who is going through this.”

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