I received an e-book copy, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

I am very thankful to God that no one in my immediate family has had cancer. But I worked for nearly 28 years in a clinical oncology medical office as a paper pusher, and I heard many cancer stories over the years. Most importantly, especially in the context of having read this book, my doctor boss had a simple yet profound philosophy of practicing medicine. "Always believe your patient." Alas, Katie was not believed for far too long, her symptoms dismissed as "anxiety," and one can only speculate how things might have gone differently if the cancer was caught earlier. Thankfully, her current status is "no evidence of disease." I don't know what the prognosis for future recurrence might be, and since her cancer type is extremely rare, apparently the doctors, as good as they are, don't know either. But along the way Katie has learned to advocate for herself and has acquired many supportive friends in support groups.

Katie's experience with the healthcare system is, sadly, becoming the norm in the US. It's even worse for veterans who get their care in the VA system (I have friends in that category and it's frankly a miracle that they're still alive) and worst of all (among the ones I know something about) is the British national health "service." I have a cousin in Wales who is not getting adequate care at all for his multiple medical challenges. I am convinced that if Katie had had to get her care from the VA or the British system she would not have survived. Fortunately for her, the US system with all its flaws is still the best in the world. I can only imagine that those folks who advocate for us to switch over to something like the British system have no idea what that would mean for folks like Katie with difficult-to-diagnose-and-treat conditions.

Too Young For Cancer details one woman's quest to find answers to the medical issues she has been facing. The journey is not an easy one and is fraught with misdiagnosis and dismissive comments from physicians. After receiving her diagnosis, Katie details her innermost thoughts and feelings as she searches for the best treatments for her rare cancer.

I love reading memoirs, and while I thought this story was compelling and relatable - especially if you're a woman who's tried to get help for issues and been met with doctors who write you off - I thought the overall writing could use a bit of work. There were many phrases that were repeated and a lot of the same descriptors used over and over. But that's just me being a bit overly picky!

Katie's journey is definitely one that needs to be shared and since her diagnosis, she has used her time and talents to help others in a similar position. If you love a good survivor story, then I would recommend this book. It will be available for purchase on November 12, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

thank you to netgalley, author katie coleman and alcove press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
this book was excellently written and felt like a movie in the way it was detailed and honest.
the book explores a woman’s journey through a rare type of cancer- her diagnosis, treatment and ringing the bell. i liked the excerpts of instagram posts from the time, i liked the honestly- positive and negative.
the book was a heavy read but a really good one.
i can imagine someone experiencing cancer would find great comfort and support in this book.

Raw emotional trip through one young woman’s cancer hell. One lesson that jumped out at me while reading this memoir is if you don’t like making decisions don’t get cancer. While reading illness memoirs I often think about the author’s journey of being sick as a barrage of surgeries, recoveries, treatments, side effects and the horrific emotional rollercoaster they are riding. This book highlighted for me the other emotional journey all cancer patients have to go through - am I making the right decisions? Did I choose the right doctors, hospital, treatments, order of treatments and more? This author is clearly one impressive woman. Not because she got and recovered from cancer. But because of the work she continues to do to raise awareness and funds for others.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a difficult book to get thru. I found the medical scenes interesting, but the back history on her relationships slows the pace almost to a stop.
There is also a lot of crying. Which is to be expected. However, it seems at least once in every chapter, she writes about crying. It's very much a woe is me, almost thriving under the title of victim. I gravitate to books that are inspirational. like: When Breath Becomes Air. I gave three stars for the simple fact the author wrote a book - a great feat- and it will hopefully help people with similar medical issues.

Katie Coleman has been fighting weird symptoms for several years. An ache here, sharp pains there cause her to seek medical care. But she’s in her late twenties, otherwise in good health except for high blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat which doctors attribute to anxiety. Of course, she is anxious. She senses something wrong and when she feels a lump on her chest she goes to urgent care where a sensitive provider suggests she go to the ER. (Casey, wherever you are, you are a hero!) Covid has caused extra precautions so her new husband Brian waits in the car for her. The doctor who examines her is at first dismissive but sees her for more tests when she insists. This is the first time Kate asks for testing based on symptoms and intuition. This attitude will persist in Too Young for Cancer because Kate is diagnosed with a rare type of kidney cancer, stage 4.

This is the beginning of a long journey through multiple surgeries, a blood disorder, moves to different states for treatment at different hospitals and more. Kate learns to negotiate through complicated hospital and insurance procedures. Fortunately, she is now NED (no evidence of disease) and is continung her fight to raise funds for research into rare kidney cancers. Too Young for Cancer provides a fascinating look into a woman’s struggle to survive and understand the complex medical system. 5 stars.

I am crying when I read this book because it is really touching my heart. Daignosed for ultra rare cancer can dreadened our faith so we cannot want to live anymore, especially in such a young age. Thank you, Katie Coleman, for sharing your story.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy from this new writer!

Wow! Katie has been through the ringer! I can't imagine living in the unknown for years of symptoms of no diagnosis to finally get answers. That mixed feeling of having answers and then being frustrated about the previous time that could have been spent treating the issue. This book really emphasizes that you need to be your own advocate, if something doesn't feel right continue to advocate for yourself no matter how uncomfortable that may be. A prime example within this read is the feelings of hurting her current doctors feelings by going for other opinions, this should be encouraged! I am so happy Katie eventually got the care she needed and continues to try to be an advocate for others especially in navigating the complex healthcare world.

I feel like I don’t even know where to start with this book. It was so good. I think people often forget that doctors are just people too, and they are often limited with what they can do and wheat tests they can run, based on insurance and how much things cost. It really makes you sick when you think about it. Katie’s story is beautifully written, and I think an imperative read for anyone who is navigating the healthcare system.

Wow. What a memoir! It was so good and so heartbreaking at the same time. I loved it!Read this book!

This was a heart wrenching yet beautiful read. I was so proud of the author at every step, rooting for her and watching her advocate for herself in our healthcare system which is tough at the best of times and absolutely atrocious at the worst. Her bravery to utilize her diagnosis to raise awareness is to be commended.

Too Young for Cancer highlights the very real fact that the way that we as humans have lived for a very long time is not sustainable, and has lasting consequences. We are seeing younger and younger and younger people presenting with cancer and it's no shock as to why. This book provides a great outline for what to look out for, how to battle it, and a message that even in overwhelming circumstances, we can still find hope.

Anyone who sees I have read this book will wonder WHY DID YOU READ THIS?! As my sister died after a swift 6 month battle with cancer at the age of 29 this year. Why did I read this book? Wasn’t it triggering? At some points yes. My sister was extremely private with her cancer journey. So much so that I had no idea her true feelings most of the time.

Katie’s experience mirrors my sisters in so many ways. It was very healing for me personally to read and know my sister probably had the same feelings and experiences both good and heart wrenching. This book deals with a lot of cancer and medical lingo. That was familiar and expected for me but just for readers to be aware this is a memoir of her trudging through a hard medical battle with lots of doctors and hospitals.

At the threshold of the year 2020, Katie Coleman, a resilient survivor of Stage IV cancer, stood poised for a transformative moment. Little did she anticipate that New Year's Eve would bring an unexpected journey into the depths of the healthcare system. In the corridors of the emergency room, the crushing revelation of a late-stage cancer diagnosis shattered her world—a diagnosis that defied years of assurances claiming she was "too young for cancer." Chronicling her narrative in the memoir "Too Young for Cancer," Katie takes us through her odyssey from the discovery of an exceptionally rare form of cancer to the arduous path of treatment, recovery, and a profound evolution of consciousness.

Initially characterized by timidity and trepidation in the face of the daunting medical landscape, Katie's narrative unfolds as a testament to the transformative power of self-advocacy. Embracing her mortality with fortitude, she embarks on an empowering journey that culminates in her relentless pursuit of a groundbreaking and high-stakes surgical intervention at prestigious cancer centers. Guided by the unwavering support of her spouse, visionary healthcare professionals, and a resilient community of cancer survivors, Katie discovers a newfound sense of purpose—a commitment not only to her own cause but also to championing the rights of others engaged in their own battles for survival.

In "Too Young for Cancer," the account not only lays bare the nuanced complexities of the healthcare system, but also illuminates the poignant interplay between the most commendable and disheartening aspects of medical care. Through Katie's lens, we witness the duality of human experiences, unveiling the enduring spirit of resilience, compassion, and camaraderie that weaves through the fabric of our shared humanity.

This was disturbing to read at some points, because my heart broke for Katie, and what could have been had she been taken seriously at the onset of her symptoms, I felt anger "for" her and the journey that she must now undertake. I could not put this down. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.