Braving Chemo: What to Expect, How to Prepare and How to Get Through It

This book is an absolute "go to" book! As a nurse, I am familiar with the topic, but now as a patient I have many questions, and many questions that I haven't even thought of yet. The text is easy to understand, and she provides 'definitions' to terms that are less familiar, such as "Immunotherapy". Chapters are clearly defined, and you don't have to read from start to finish. I took this book, with my high-lighted text and bent corner pages, to my first oncologist appointment; and was easily able to ask questions. Excellent book!!!

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is an excellent resource for both the cancer patient and the caregiver. What I found to be most helpful is the organization of the material. If there is a particular area or concern that needs clarification, the reader is able to go directly to that section and receive needed information. Helpful Hints are provided in the section to assist the patient in dealing with the situation/problem. Also provided is the all important Medical Alert Section which indicates when it is necessary for the patient to seek medical attention. This is important as many times both the patient and the caregiver tend to wait a bit to "see if things improve" before seeking medical assistance. This book also deals effectively with questions dealing with issues that many times patients are reluctant to discuss with their doctors.Usually books or information pertaining to chemo issues are not written for non-medical people. This is not the case for Braving Chemo. The information is presented concisely and in easy to understand terms.As a caregiver for a cancer patient, I highly recommend this book. I am confident that it will be your "go to" book to address questions/concerns relating to chemo and/or your cancer treatment.

This book is highly well informed and I recommend this for anyone going through chemo as a source of proper information and support. I recommend this as well for anyone with someone they know going through these topics as it will let you in on what their lives will be like now and hopefully offer understanding. Overall good pick!

This guide acts as a calm, educated friend providing access to information and resources we might go without otherwise. I have found a lot of information through my nascent cancer journey, but Braving Chemo acts as my headquarters to keep many resources organized in one place. It can be so difficult to talk, even with family, about your diagnosis and treatment. Cancer can be overwhelming for everyone involved, so this book, I have found, is my quiet, reliable friend to whom I can turn at any time for help 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Thank you.

I wish I had this book when two of my family members battled cancer 6 and 4 years ago. You don't have to be a doctor to understand this book; it is written for the general audience: patients, family members, and friends. You don't have to read it cover to cover to get information, just go to the chapter that you want and read that. Even if the patient receives the best care in the best caner centers in the world, as my family experienced it there are many unknowns and uncertainties, how to prepare yourself for the first chemo, what to take, the conversation with your kids, what to eat, if a side effect is normal, how to prevent or deal with a side effect, stress, appearance, mental health, fear of death, and all the horrible WHAT-IF. In this book, I found the answers to the questions that we had. It is very real, as the author explains that she was a patient herself. I highly recommend this book.

This book is full of useful information to guide you in right direction of what you may expect from Chemo. What to bring to infusion..what you can and should not eat and so much more.

A well laid out and written book with everything you need to know or wondered about chemotherapy. Very helpful.

I’m sorry that she went through it, but I am grateful that she was able to do something meaningful with it (writing this book) to help others.It gave so much more helpful information in one quick read than I have been able to get from days of gleaning info on the Internet.Bought the Kindle version for myself, and a hard copy for each of my parents, to help us all know what to expect before treatment starts.

This really is the ultimate guide to undergoing chemotherapy (for all types of cancer). It is the book that I wish I’d had when embarking upon chemotherapy. It’s set out in short easily digestible chapters, which are easy to read for anyone going through it and not able to concentrate for long. Beverly writes with calm compassion and the fact that it’s a medical book written by a medical person where that person is writing from their experience of cancer and chemotherapy means it covers everything you need/want to know.As well as covering chemotherapy itself, she explains how the drugs cause each side effect - which is helpful to know when you’re wondering why strange scary things are happening to your body. There are so many brilliant tips about dealing with every possible side effect.It doesn’t just cover the practical and physical side of chemo, but importantly covers the mindset of getting through chemotherapy and mental heath issues.

Up to date and well referenced information from a doctor who has gone through chemo and really understands.

This book is helping me and my family in so many ways! It truly is the perfect resource for those of us going through chemotherapy. Packed with information, advice, tips and easy to read by a medical doctor who has also walked the walk!