In All of Us Warriors, Rebecca Whitehead Munn paints a realistic picture of the impact cancer has on an individual’s life, and she attempts to demystify the experience by sharing heartfelt stories from twenty survivors and the loved ones of those that passed. They are mothers and fathers with seven types of cancers and all stages of the disease, as well as advice regarding how to approach someone … someone you love living with cancer and tips and tricks for helping others feel joy in the midst of pain. This inspirational book provides a positive outlook of strength and perseverance through belief in a higher power, reinforcing the idea that the reader is stronger than cancer and not alone, and offering real strategies that cannot be found in online medical sites. Like a conversation with a new best friend (or twenty of them), All of Us Warriors is full of understanding, acceptance, and practical advice gained from personal experience.
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All Of Us Warriors: Cancer Stories Of Survival And Loss by Rebecca Whitehead Munn is a collection of twenty stories of people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each story is unique. We must never compare our walk with someone else’s journey.
The stories are written in a very personable way. They will each ‘speak’ to your heart. Each chapter contains treatment experience and what was helpful along the way. There are also suggestions as to what helped to ‘support myself’ and the support from others that helped. The stories are all linked with a cancer diagnosis that interrupted busy lives, forcing people to slow down and to evaluate what is really important.
Many drew closer to God. “Her faith became her anchor for her.” God is a sure and certain anchor through all the seasons of life. Another story cited “I had to rely completely on the Lord.” Sometimes when life threatens to derail all that we know, all we can do is to run to God. We must trust in His goodness even when life is hard.
There is power in prayer. “I am confident that the power of prayer is why I am still living today.” However I am sure we have all prayed over people believing they will be healed and they have died. We will never know this side of heaven why God heals some but not others.
A quote that completely undid me was by a five year old girl who supported her Mum by holding a pink bucket for her to be sick in after chemo, and her daughter said “I was born to help you fight cancer.” Wow, the strength of the young.
The book shows the importance of not letting a diagnosis of cancer define us. It also states that there are two types of reactions to a diagnosis of cancer – one of victim and one of conqueror. We will never know which one we will be until we have faced a diagnosis.
And finally there is the reaction of others – some will offer 24/7 support, others will cross the road because they do not know what to say.
All Of Us Warriors was a really powerful and inspiring read of brave individuals who shared their unique stories of their journeys through cancer. You will definitely need tissues.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
This book highlights cancer in twenty different people. It covered many different cancers and different cancer treatments. All of the people who wrote stories in the book reacted to their diagnosis with fear at what was ahead for them and their families. In each chapter, the person with the cancer or a family member writes about their diagnosis, their treatment experience, and advice for others: How I supported myself, How others supported me and Helpful tips. Most of the survivors in this book were determined to beat the cancer and to stay strong with the help of their families and friends. The book helped me understand the pain, the fear and the courage it takes to fight the battle with cancer. I think that this book would be a great help for people who are currently fighting with cancer or helping a family member of a friend in their battle. I wish that I’d had some of this information when my Dad fought a brave fight with pancreatic cancer. This is a book that everyone needs to have to better understand the trials and tribulations of dealing with cancer.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.