As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.
Ms. Stein introduces her book by explaining it is fiction based on personal experience, so when she describes the migraine “aura” she understands what that means. (Aura is the intial sign of an impending migraine headache, usually visual changes.)
Author Audrey Beth Stein could have written a cute, fun to read book for kids about “the day my best friend slept over. But by adding “and a MIGRAINE” she took it to the next level, creating a fun learning activity as well. For that reason, I recommend it for kids as well as their parents.
an 8 year old with migraine
Migraine doesn’t affect everyone but those who suffer with this debilitating condition know the physical pain is just one aspect of it. The other is the way it disrupts life, often unpredictably-like when this 8 year old girl is anticipating a fun adventure with her best friend Allie.
Ms. Stein introduces her book by explaining it is fiction based on personal experience, so when she describes the migraine “aura” she understands what that means. (Aura is the intial sign of an impending migraine headache, usually visual changes.)
As she narrates Allie’s “throbbing headache”, we learn how with her parents’ help she copes with the pain and disability, and how working together they manage to save her special day.
We don’t learn much about how her friend reacts to Allie’s distress, but she shows concern and doesn’t create more stress for her hosts. In the end both girls have fun doing the kinds of things all kids should get to enjoy without migraine getting in the way.
I’ve been so moved by the response to this book… I truly had no idea when I started writing how many people experienced migraine, and I’m grateful to know that the book is touching a chord. As reviewer Shirley A. Sanders says, “My little one suffers migraines, so she appreciates knowing she doesn’t suffer alone.”
Audrey Beth Stein
The colorful illustrations by Ana Solarte do more than show us what happens. She captures the emotions of migraine with details that reflect Allie’s distress and highlight her parents’ attempts to relieve it.
I was surprised that there is no medical disclaimer, but the author did not present her ideas as medical advice.
As with any health information media, I advise against using it for diagnosis or treatment without personal medical direction. If your child has unexplained headaches I suggest you seek medical consultation with a qualified health professional.
I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley and the publishers.
“This book should be read by parents, teachers, friends and families of migraine sufferers. Congratulations to the author for bringing this information to a greater audience.” —
Marc Irwin Sharfman MD Board Certified Neurologist Headache Institute, Longwood Florida
I appreciate all of you who are following Watercress Words, and if you aren’t I invite you to join the wonderful people who are. You can meet some of them in the sidebar, where you can click on their image and visit their blogs. Use the form to get an email notification of new posts. Don’t worry, you won’t get anything else from me.
Dr Aletha
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
Together they wrote this book to help cancer patients navigate the journey with both personal and professional guidance. Joining them are other families dealing with cancer who candidly share their experiences and what they have learned along the way, both positive and negative.
Dr. Lori Leifer, a radiation oncologist, was well qualified to author a book about cancer. As a physician who treats cancer with radiation, she has extensive training and experience managing patients diagnosed with this devastating disease.
(Note: the photos and graphics are for illustration and are not associated with the book. The book links are affiliate links for possible compensation to this blog.)
But her professional expertise expanded to a new level when she found a lump that turned out to be cancer. Then she and her husband John faced the daunting task of confronting cancer as a patient and patient’s spouse.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
They turned this life changing experience into another chance to help the people she has spent her career caring for. Together they wrote this book offering personal and professional guidance to help cancer patients navigate the journey. Joining them are other families dealing with cancer who candidly share their experiences and what they have learned along the way, both positive and negative.
Cancer- the difficult journey
Their guidance follows the same journey cancer patients follow. First there is a diagnosis, followed by treatment option review and planning . Then there is the active treatment phase which may involve some combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Finally, there is life after the treatments. Each phase has its own issues to navigate, which they explain with advice that is specific and understandable.
A mammography on left and a Magnetic resonance image (MRI) on right. Breast imaging technology has changed over the years. Note MRI’s enhancement ability to confirm diagnosis. Mitchell D. Schnall, M.D., Ph.D. University Of Pennsylvania Creator:Unknown Photographer, Public domain
Navigating the journey
In part I, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, they review how doctors diagnose and stage cancer, and how that influences treatment. They discuss when and why to get a second opinion, how genetic testing can help, selecting doctors and facilities, and considering a clinical trial.
This image shows a triple-negative breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231) in metaphase during cell division. Tubulin in red; mitochondria in green; chromosomes in blue. A better understanding of how mitochondria play roles in tumor cell division may provide new therapeutic targeting strategies to stop tumor cell growth.National Cancer Institute \ Univ. of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Creator:Wei Qian-public domain
Part II, During Active Treatment, they advise on the practical aspects of paying for cancer care and how caregivers fit into the treatment plan. Other vital topics include pain control, managing side effects, and the importance of nutrition and exercise. They also review why and why not to consider complementary therapies.
There are different subtypes of women’s breast cancer. Knowing which subtype is important for guiding treatment and predicting survival. This graphic was created for the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975-2011, published in 2015. Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI), public domain
And in part III, After Initial Treatments Are Over, they acknowledge the challenge of cancer survivors, and what to consider when treatment is not effective. Sometimes patients and families must face “difficult decisions,” with guidance on when to stop curative treatment and use hospice care.
Guidance
All along the way the Leifers advise readers to “ask questions” and each section concludes with a list of specific questions to ask.
The book ends with a list of Resources such as advocacy and support groups, websites on cancer treatment and research, foundations and other nonprofits, government websites, and professional associations.
Recommended for “those who hear its cancer”, their families, and friends
I recommend this book to any families currently navigating this “difficult journey.” Others wanting to understand and support friends and co-workers with cancer will find the advice useful.
Since cancer is common and likely to strike any family, everyone should consider reading it proactively. Finally, this general approach to diagnosing, treating, and living with a serious illness can be applied to other diseases that are potentially life threatening.
Read the Prologue here.
About the authors
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The book was published in 2015 by Rowman and Littlefield.
“In this chilling prequel to8 Seconds to Midnight, the most devastating terrorist attack ever recorded on American soil begins and ends without spilling a single drop of blood. Four jihadists, armed with nothing more than a briefcase and a pen, walk nonchalantly through the country’s busiest airports, killing time and killing people. A deadly mist, laden with a universally lethal virus, trails close behind them. Their goal: foment a global pandemic. Their vision: Armageddon, where only the Chosen Ones – those loyal to the United Islamic State – survive. The job of stopping them falls squarely on the shoulders of one man, Commander John Hart, but will he be in time?” (Amazon links and promo text)
exploring the HEART of health
I thank NetGalley and the publishers for asking me to review this book, and especially the Leifers for sharing their story.
I appreciate all of you who are following Watercress Words, and if you aren’t I invite you to join the wonderful people who are. You can meet some of them in the sidebar, where you can click on their image and visit their blogs. Use the form to get an email notification of new posts. Don’t worry, you won’t get anything else from me.
Dr Aletha
The Leifers’ books are also available from Bookshop.org. Visit my online shop at this link.
Bookshop.org is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. They believe bookstores are essential to a healthy culture and they are dedicated to the common good. Bookshop.org donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores.
Use these links to share the heart of health wherever you connect.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 
You must be logged in to post a comment.