Book Reviews

Life, Happiness… and Cancer by Phil Kerslake.

Reviewed by Rachel McAlpine.

Friends who have lived with cancer recommend this book. What higher praise could there be? My cancer-surviving friends are more likely to spit tacks at other books about cancer. Frankly, some books about cancer make them sick.

Some books have the nerve to imply that getting cancer is your own fault for having a bad diet, bad habits, bad emotions, or bad psyche. This arrogant approach is despicable. Some books, even today, have a narrow view of healing, and are condescending about complementary treatments. That’s just another way of saying, “You’re bad”— for taking any responsibility for your own recovery.

But Phil Kerslake’s book gets a big tick. First, he has perfect credentials for his philosophy, having survived six bouts of cancer over 25 years. One listens to such a person with considerable respect. Secondly, he conveys his message — “survive with action and attitude!” — with action and attitude. Treading on delicate territory, he is never presumptuous, yet always positive.

Kerslake describes an approach to cancer that works for him and will surely inspire many others. He’s a fighter, actively involved in his own treatment. He integrates alternative therapies with conventional medical treatments. He exploits the healing power of language. For example, he wouldn’t say, “I have to have chemo” but “I have decided to have chemo”. He describes how to audit your own life path and squeeze every possible drop of satisfaction from a short life or a long life.

Cancer patients, cancer survivors, their friends and relatives, and health practitioners are the intended readers of Kerslake’s book. They are not the only readers who will benefit.

From Upfront Issue 67, June/July 2006

Silver Linings by Margaret Foster 2009

Published by Random House $36.99

In 2006 Margaret Foster was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through surgery and treatment. By April 2009 she had not only experienced a second cancer in the ovary and another round of treatment, but had published a book about it. The book is a big achievement in itself but it is clear this approach to life is typical of Margaret’s upfront, go-get-‘em attitude to sport, cancer and life in general. She acknowledges lots of support from husband Beks and friends, that helped her through the hard times, especially when she had to deal with the recurrence.

This book talks of many aspects of Margaret’s life including the very positive story of her adoption as a part-Maori child into a Pakeha family. It is a breast cancer story when Margaret shares her fears and hopes, and the way she finds her inner strength to fight it and get through the treatments, but it’s also an impressive netball story. Margaret’s great achievements over many years as a Silver Fern, netball coach and friend to numerous young women in the netball scene, show what a talented, determined and resourceful person she is. We gain an insight into the constant hard slog, triumphs and disappointments of playing netball at the international and national level. (At one point she was coached by BCN patron, Lois Muir, whom she describes as “wonderful”, and “caring and considerate.”) There is a section of the book devoted to coaching fundamentals, and Marg’s personal tips on successful coaching.

Additionally, in 2008 Margaret started a netball academy to raise the skill base of young players and a motivational programme for young people in schools, using positive role models. She entered a contract with Te Puni Kokiri to assist young Maori sportspeople- and in the same year was selected for the position of Assistant Coach for The Sting. She says her life is now much more balanced, there is actually more time for family and for looking after herself. Her twelve Must-dos when you have cancer and her top tips for a happy family life are sure to strike a chord with readers. This is a good read, whether you previously knew anything about netball or not.

Reviewed by Gillian Woods of BCN National Committee

The Pink Party

By Jane Bissell, Klarer Lasserre Books 2007

In The Pink Party, Jane writes a very descriptive account of her journey with breast cancer. Interwoven with her own personal experiences are the journey stories of two friends, Colleen and Manon. Colleen has advanced breast cancer and Manon has a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer, a cancer which has a poorer long term prognosis.

Jane writes a poignant story with openness and sensitivity about what it is like to be diagnosed with and to live with cancer. She writes of the vulnerabilities associated with loss of health, of coping with side effects of treatments and of the fears of cancer returning. Jane outlines the importance of hope, humour, living life in the moment and counting our blessings. Medical treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are without a doubt vital in the fight against cancer but Jane highlights other key factors in "treatment" - music, fun, laughter and friendship to name a few.

Colleen faces her progressing cancer with courage and dignity. She has difficult choices to make as hope is fading. It is hard to imagine how each of us would cope if we knew of our impending death. Would we have such courage? Jane captures frank and intimate discussions with both Colleen and Manon about death and dying and life and living. Jane shows how humour can be used to raise and cope with the serious issues of life after a cancer diagnosis - she lists the "Ten things to do before I cark it!"

The Pink Party is about the power of "sisterhood" and the empathy that breast cancer survivors have for each other. Pink is known as the colour of breast cancer, but Jane also calls it the colour of life and suggests "a really great party goes well with that." And to give what she terms "fear of recurrence" (FOR) a good kick in the bum, Jane writes, "Throw a party or have a vineyard lunch with the girls. You don't need a reason. There is much to be happy about these days so no shortage of excuses to kick up the heels. It drowns out that ill-mannered FOR troublemaker, raises the spirits and restores the courage."

This is a moving story and a beneficial read for women diagnosed with breast cancer or in fact any person diagnosed with cancer. It is an insightful book for caregivers and for those health professionals that are enlisted with the care of cancer patients. I would also recommend The Pink Party to "healthy" people, as it reminds us not to take our health or our lives for granted and to live each day as fully as we can. Perhaps we should all think about organising a Pink Party!

The Pink Party is endorsed by Sweet Louise and the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) and a donation from sales will be made to these organisations. To obtain a copy of The Pink Party, please visit Jane’s website www.janebissell.co.nz/index.html

Reviewer: Jenni Scarlett. Jenni is a breast cancer research nurse at the Waikato Breast Care Centre, Hamilton. She is also a member of the ANZ Breast Cancer Trials Group and the secretary of Waikato Research Trust.

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