What to do
when they say 'It's cancer' - A survivor's guide
Joel Nathan
Allen & Unwin, 1998
RRP $24.95
A book review
by Dr Helen-Anne Manion, Cancer Care Home
Hospice Inc.
(Reproduced with permission)
Having
some years ago identified the stunned mullet syndrome affecting the
cancer patient upon diagnosis I welcome Joel Nathan's What to
do when they say 'It's cancer' as the most steadying influence
the patient (and family) could be given at that point. His first advice
is 'to press the pause button', regain control, don't rush into treatment.
Having also known the indignity of the experience, he knows the value
of dignity, and the importance of hope - early.
The
subtitle's claim of being 'A survivor's guide' is a very modest one
for it provides more commonsense, practical, useful information than
has so far been assembled. The bibliographical notes indicate a more
than usually informed mind on the wide scope of this subject.
Writing
out of experience as a two-time survivor, first with leukemia and
13 years later with lung cancer, and althogether free from any hint
of 'schmaltz', Nathan has avoided the all too often extravagant claims
of other survivors who maintain their way is the best way, even the
only way. The book is not hyped as 'inspirational',. It has substance,
pabulum.
This
is a very readable book, but it is not only for the patient.
The author's insights into the professional world of the practitioner,
of all brands, is extremely useful, with much to be learned by those
who rely only on their skills and knowledge and who lack awareness
of the significance of the right relationship with the patient.
Nathan's
advice is to find the right door, get a second or third opinion. In
this area, as throughout, there are specifics, practical down-to-earth
ideas and observations.
The
book has a very balanced chapter on alternative medicine, the author's
wisdom born from his own struggle with leukemia. In desperation he
had been induced to try dozens of alternative treatments, so he has
an understanding of the cancer patient's vulnerability. His advice
is wise and uncompromising: demand the facts, the evidence; be warned
of the consequences of abandoning conventional treatment; know the
myths, the origins and the track record.
It
would be difficult to suggest any area of the cancer patient's need
that has not been addressed. Diagnosis and treatment are only two
of the matters the patient is concerned with. Within those two headings
there are sub-headings of great significance: psychological reaction
and understanding your feelings, options and alternatives, patient's
rights, side effects, collaboration with your medical team, sexuality,
stress and the immune system, caring and support, death and dying,
living in the meantime.
This
is a readable, informative, practical book that will be of immense
value to all involved in the care of the cancer patient. It provides
the information and wisdom to prevent drama turning to tragedy.
The
sooner it is made available to all, the better. Not only the patient;
the husband of a patient recently said of the chapter on carers, 'I
wish I had read it 18 months ago'.
Helen-Anne
Manion, Cancer Care Home Hospice Inc.
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