If you are looking for an effectively concise, 'easy to read' but psychologically sound narrative and handbook on how to embody the 'Cancer Warrior' when combatting 'Terrible, the Terrorist Tumor', Carla Fotev's 'ChemRad Mind Games' endeavours to optimally resource and strategically encourage substantial empowerment throughout an individual's cancer journey.
In having humbly shared aspects of her own personal cancer journey, Carla's capacity to impart her professional knowledge of psychological constructs and their practical application for anyone who may be directly, intimately or indirectly involved with cancer journeys, remains commendable. It has been successfully written with validity and conviction, enhancing its valuableness.
I am honoured to have been asked to review this book and proud to call Carla one of my dearest friends and colleagues, whose experiences and wisdom as shared throughout will no doubt assist to 'lighten the load' for those experiencing various cancer diagnoses, treatments, psycho-emotional upheaval and recovery.
While every individual's cancer experience is unique, this book includes insights that really help explain the process, and provides universal strategies to help you work through treatment and beyond. In my experience, the cancer 'journey' is highly personal and you might tend to guard this dark secret to save yourself and others from being hurt. You might feel like the things going through your head are crazy, lazy or just unreasonable. You might feel quite alone and vulnerable, even when you're in the best medical hands.
I didn't know what to ask or who to ask without feeling needy or stupid. I didn't know that what I was feeling was not uncommon, and I didn't know there were strategies that could help. If only there were a book to help you sort out that fog, help you feel a little bit more normal in an abnormal situation and a little bit less vulnerable!
Everyone's journey is somewhat similar but at the same time very different. Very well-meaning friends and family keep telling you to stay positive, probably because they don't really know what else to say. But, as some dark days frequented my reality, I had trouble figuring out what 'positive' really was, for the mind takes you to many places that you don't really want to go.
This book can help you navigate your journey. It provides strategies and techniques to help you find THAT POSITIVE. It reads with clarity, it's very relatable and with a tone of resilience and genuine empathy. It is a testament to courage, hope, and life.
Being a Mum and having a daughter diagnosed 2 months before me with breast cancer, I put being a mum first and cancer second. I didn't really give myself the time to think about me, and this book has highlighted to me the importance of someone going through cancer/treatment to take the time to put themselves first and what they need and want to support them through their personal journey.
I wish I had known what was out there to have made my journey somewhat easier and after reading this book I know this will help that someone along the way as their thoughts/emotions/body endures what it needs to heal.
