Hearing the stream : a survivor's journey into the sisterhood of breast cancer

Hearing the Stream: A Survivor's Journey into the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer weaves together the author's own story of her struggle with breast cancer with those of five others also diagnosed. Through each of their eyes, Chambers brings to life the complexities of this disease, from its emotional and physical impact to its sometimes hidden historical, economic, political, and environmental dimensions. Chambers shows how bonds of sisterhood develop among the survivors, ironically bringing a great deal that is positive into their lives. Because of her grandmother's and her own experiences with breast cancer, Chambers speaks with authority on this subject. Her research and extensive involvement with survivors and cancer organizations allow her to provide a rich, mature perspective on the many complex facets of breast cancer. Pt. I. An unchosen path 1. Diagnosis 2. Why? 3. Decisions 4. Grounding 5. Cutting on the dotted lines 6. Healing 7. Endings and beginnings Pt. II. Into the sisterhood 8. A journey begins 9. Infilitrating ductal carcinoma 10. Prostheses in a box 11. Mothers 12. Prophylactic mastectomies 13. Broccoli sprouts 14. The quicker they grow, the quicker they die 15. No mention of reconstruction 16. Is it medicine or is it art? 17. Chemo, it's my lifeline 18. The cancer center 19. Bone marrow transplant unit 20. To lasso a wild horse 21. Terminal 22. The miracle drug 23. Common threads 24. More worries 25. Menopause at twenty-eight 26. Chemobrain 27. Arimidex or Taxotere? 28. Grateful for birthdays 29. Peau d'Orange- a bad sign 30. Waiting and watching the CEA 31. A matter of hope 32. Burning questions 33. Scared 34. The power of the mind 35. Race for the cure 36. We are here 37. Paranoia 38. Musical chairs 39. She's talking months 40. A second and a third opinion 41. Spa for the spirit 42. Friends, biopsies, scares, and loss 43. Hope and promise 44. Sixty miles toward conquering breast cancer 45. Blizzard and war.