I had the pleasure of meeting Lori Hope last May, when I attended the first Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit. A 7-year lung cancer survivor and author of the book "Help Me Live: 20 Things Cancer Patients Want you To Know," Lori is an absolute doll.
Lori is one of those amazing people who's both spiritual and down to earth, passionate but gentle, sweet but assertive, always questioning, never arrogant, with boundless energy and a wonderful open-mindedness. I've so enjoyed our phone and email chats over the past few months and she's been a complete inspiration to me over the past year in terms of what you can do through the power of the written word - even if you don't have a book contract or journalism assignment.
She does happen to have both of those - she was a former medical reporter, has a blog on Care Pages and wrote her fantastic book mentioned here in 2003 after surviving her lung cancer diagnosis.
This book is a must-read for anyone who's been touched by cancer and wants to know how to talk to your loved ones, what to say and what not to say. For friends and family members, it's such a great guide for what to do in unchartered territory. Most of us have not had a lot of experience with cancer, and when someone is diagnosed, it's like a kick in the stomach - mostly for the patient, but also for the loved ones, friends and family, even work colleagues.
The book is beautifully written and I recommend it to anyone who's been dealt that blow themselves - either as a patient or someone close to a patient. You'll be moved by the stories inside and you'll feel a little better prepared when it comes to talking to and helping the cancer patient in your life.
You can order it at Amazon and other online booksellers as well as at bookstores.
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