Holding on to normal : how I survived cancer and made it to the other side, happier, healthier ... and stronger

A compelling memoir about trying to live meaningfully with illness and triumph beyond it, by breast cancer survivor Alana Somerville, a teacher and mother of two young children. I looked at all the sick people around me. Was I going to be like them? Was that already me? Did I suddenly have a time stamp on my life? Would I make it out of this alive? Alana Somerville—wife, teacher and mother of two small children—was thirty-three years old when she was diagnosed with stage-two, triple-negative breast cancer. The diagnosis changed her world and the relationships she had with everyone around her. Suddenly she was faced with endless medical appointments, multiple surgeries and procedures, the challenges of chemotherapy, and all the decisions involved in her treatment. She also had to deal with the trauma of realizing that her support network—sometimes even her closest friends—could struggle with how to help or even how to react to her... Number of Words in Auth: 2 Formats : EPUB Number of Formats : 1 Has Cover : Yes Single Author : Alana Somerville Original Source : Mirc - New Files 05 14 Sorted Author by LN, FN: Somerville, Alana Title Length : 020 Title Parm D : Holding on to Normal Title Parm F : Holding on to Normal Title Parm A : Holding on to Normal Title Parm B : ( Record ID : 2810 Uncomma Author : Alana Somerville Num of Aut : 1 A compelling memoir about trying to live meaningfully with illness and triumph beyond it, by breast cancer survivor Alana Somerville, a teacher and mother of two young children. I looked at all the sick people around me. Was I going to be like them? Was that already me? Did I suddenly have a time stamp on my life? Would I make it out of this alive? Alana Somerville—wife, teacher and mother of two small children—was thirty-three years old when she was diagnosed with stage-two, triple-negative breast cancer. The diagnosis changed her world and the relationships she had with everyone around her. Suddenly she was faced with endless medical appointments, multiple surgeries and procedures, the challenges of chemotherapy, and all the decisions involved in her treatment. She also had to deal with the trauma of realizing that her support network—sometimes even her closest friends—could struggle with how to help or even how to react to her anymore. Throughout the course of her illness, Alana learned to maneuver through the medical system, to advocate for herself, and to build a truly supportive network. She also discovered how to keep her positive spirit intact while undergoing a double mastectomy and ongoing treatment. She is now living cancer-free—a survivor and an advocate. Alana's story is not unique. It's a story that will resonate with anyone who has suffered illness and found themselves navigating a whole new world upon diagnosis. This is an "everywoman's" journey through the experience of cancer, tracing the emotional, physical and psychological steps that are common to all. In the end, this memoir will offer hope that one can live a healthy, fulfilling and happy life beyond diagnosis. Holding on to Normal is for anyone who is suffering—or knows someone who is suffering from—a setback in life, and who is looking for inspiration on how to navigate their own journey. Alana Somerville-a Wife, Teacher And Mother Of Two Small Children-was Thirty-three Years Old When She Was Diagnosed With Stage Two, Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The Diagnosis Changed Her World And The Relationships She Had With Everyone Around Her. Suddenly She Was Faced With Endless Medical Appointments, Multiple Surgeries And Procedures, Along With Chemotherapy, And All The Decisions Involved. She Also Had To Deal With The Trauma Of Realizing That Her Support Network-sometimes Even The Closest Of Friends-didn't Have A Clue What To Do Or How To React To Her Anymore. Throughout The Course Of Her Illness, Alana Learned To Maneuver Through The Medical System, To Advocate For Herself, And To Build A Truly Supportive Network. She Also Discovered How To Keep Her Positive Spirit Intact While Undergoing A Double Mastectomy And Ongoing Treatment. She Is Now Living Cancer-free-a Survivor And An Advocate. Alana's Story Is Not Unique. It's A Story That Will Resonate With Anyone Who Has Suffered Illness And Found Themselves Navigating A Whole New World Upon Diagnosis. This Is An Every-woman's Journey Through The Experience Of Cancer, Tracing The Emotional, Physical, And Psychological Steps That Are Common To All. In The End, This Memoir Will Offer Hope That One Can Live A Healthy, Fulfilling, And Happy Life Beyond Diagnosis. Holding On To Normal Is For Anyone Who Is Suffering-or Knows Someone Who Is Suffering From-a Setback In Life, And Who Is Looking For Inspiration On How To Navigate Their Own Journey.-- Alana Sommerville. Originally Published Under Title: Chemosabe : Cancer Warrior. Issued Also In Electronic Format. "Alana Somerville--a wife, teacher and mother of two small children--was thirty-three years old when she was diagnosed with stage two, triple negative breast cancer. The diagnosis changed her world and the relationships she had with everyone around her. Suddenly she was faced with endless medical appointments, multiple surgeries and procedures, along with chemotherapy, and all the decisions involved. She also had to deal with the trauma of realizing that her support network--sometimes even the closest of friends--didn't have a clue what to do or how to react to her anymore. Throughout the course of her illness, Alana learned to maneuver through the medical system, to advocate for herself, and to build a truly supportive network. She also discovered how to keep her positive spirit intact while undergoing a double mastectomy and ongoing treatment. She is now living cancer-free-a survivor and an advocate. Alana's story is not unique. It's a story that will resonate with anyone who has suffered illness and found themselves navigating a whole new world upon diagnosis. This is an 'every-woman's' journey through the experience of cancer, tracing the emotional, physical, and psychological steps that are common to all. In the end, this memoir will offer hope that one can live a healthy, fulfilling, and happy life beyond diagnosis. Holding on to Normal is for anyone who is suffering--or knows someone who is suffering from--a setback in life, and who is looking for inspiration on how to navigate their own journey."-- Provided by publisher The author recounts her story of being diagnosed with stage two triple negative breast cancer and ultimately becoming cancer-free