Cocoon of Cancer
An Invitation to Love Deeply
by Abbe Rolnick; Jim Wiggins
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Pub Date Mar 31 2016 | Archive Date Jun 30 2016
Description
"Unknowingly, the authors were able to capitalize on a similar idea stretching back to... 84 Charing Cross Rd by Helene Hanff [which] uses old-fashioned pen and post as she shares the pen-pal exchanges between her adolescent self and a peer in the United Kingdom during wartime. Today's Cocoon evokes the same intimacy of interchange, recording the candid tenderness and fears that surface for Abbe and Jim with their family and friends." - Stewart Fleishman, M.D., Founding Director of Cancer Support Systems of NY and author of Learn to Live Through Cancer: What You Need to Know and Do
Love and intimacy inspire this book as well as inform those diagnosed with cancer, their caregivers, families, and staff. The essays and poems reflect an attitude of wonder, defiance, acceptance, and beauty through the painful journey.
Sometimes raw, the letters to friends voice the unspeakable. The scientific tone of Jim, the patient, comes through when he has the energy to speak. His wife and caregiver, Abbe, witnesses and documents the signs of distress, gains, losses, and the new equilibrium that forges deep love.
More than anything, this is an invitation to feel and find comfort.
"Caregiver Tips", "Questions I Still Ponder", and "Questions for the Reader to Ponder" are included at the end of the manuscript.
"As an author, Abbe’s skill for writing brings a cluster of sunshine through the dim of darkness. As a true life event, it’s a very educational and inspiring tale.... I’m sure it had to be one of the most difficult challenges (a family experiences) day in and out, and this author has done a superb job in giving her readers the real deal behind the journey." - Nina, Goodreads
"Cocoon of Cancer is a poetic, poignant, and scientifically accurate memoir. Abbe’s Care Giver’s Tips add insights to those who will identify with similar thoughts and feelings." - Dr. Fred Appelbaum, President, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
"Enlightening…. I highly recommend this book for patients and families undergoing the sometimes confusing, often fearful, and yes, at times even joyful, process of cancer care." - Dr. Mathey, Oncologist & Hemotologist, Skagit Regional Cancer
"A positive, perceptive primer for cancer patients and caregivers." - Kirkus Reviews
Love and intimacy inspire this book as well as inform those diagnosed with cancer, their caregivers, families, and staff. The essays and poems reflect an attitude of wonder, defiance, acceptance, and beauty through the painful journey.
Sometimes raw, the letters to friends voice the unspeakable. The scientific tone of Jim, the patient, comes through when he has the energy to speak. His wife and caregiver, Abbe, witnesses and documents the signs of distress, gains, losses, and the new equilibrium that forges deep love.
More than anything, this is an invitation to feel and find comfort.
"Caregiver Tips", "Questions I Still Ponder", and "Questions for the Reader to Ponder" are included at the end of the manuscript.
"As an author, Abbe’s skill for writing brings a cluster of sunshine through the dim of darkness. As a true life event, it’s a very educational and inspiring tale.... I’m sure it had to be one of the most difficult challenges (a family experiences) day in and out, and this author has done a superb job in giving her readers the real deal behind the journey." - Nina, Goodreads
"Cocoon of Cancer is a poetic, poignant, and scientifically accurate memoir. Abbe’s Care Giver’s Tips add insights to those who will identify with similar thoughts and feelings." - Dr. Fred Appelbaum, President, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
"Enlightening…. I highly recommend this book for patients and families undergoing the sometimes confusing, often fearful, and yes, at times even joyful, process of cancer care." - Dr. Mathey, Oncologist & Hemotologist, Skagit Regional Cancer
"A positive, perceptive primer for cancer patients and caregivers." - Kirkus Reviews
Advance Praise
Dr. Fred Appelbaum, Executive Vice President, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Executive Director/President, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance states, “Cocoon of Cancer is a poetic, poignant, and scientifically accurate memoir. Abbe’s Caregiver’s Tips add insights to those who will identify with similar thoughts and feelings.”
Dr. Bruce Mathey, oncologist, North Puget Cancer Center, Peace Health United General Hospital, states, “There are many books that address the treatment of cancer patients. Many of these are authoritative medical how-to books. Abbe Rolnick has put together a tale of her and her husband’s journey as they battled his cancer, told from the patient’s point of view. This is enlightening, even to those of us who are deeply involved in the care of cancer patients. All too often, medical professionals focus on facts and figures, numbers dedicated to relapse rates and outcomes, but may lose sight of the patient in front of us. The truth is, each and every life we touch is important. Abbe’s book helps us remember this and guides us through an experience that is unique for each individual. I highly recommend this book for patients and families undergoing the sometimes confusing, often fearful, and yes, at times even joyful, process of cancer care”.
“One cannot help but fully enter [the authors’] world as life around them at home and in the hospital evolves. Similar to Helene Hanff’s post World War II book, 84 Charing Cross Rd, today’s COCOON OF CANCER evokes the same intimacy of interchange, recording the candid tenderness and fears that surface for Abbe and Jim… This book will be a source of comfort, support, and information to couples entering the foreign world of high-tech cancer care while preserving their sense of family.”
~ Dr. Stewart B Fleishman, Founding Director, Cancer Supportive Services, Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, part of Mt. Sinai Health System; Author, Learn to Live Through Cancer:
Dr. Bruce Mathey, oncologist, North Puget Cancer Center, Peace Health United General Hospital, states, “There are many books that address the treatment of cancer patients. Many of these are authoritative medical how-to books. Abbe Rolnick has put together a tale of her and her husband’s journey as they battled his cancer, told from the patient’s point of view. This is enlightening, even to those of us who are deeply involved in the care of cancer patients. All too often, medical professionals focus on facts and figures, numbers dedicated to relapse rates and outcomes, but may lose sight of the patient in front of us. The truth is, each and every life we touch is important. Abbe’s book helps us remember this and guides us through an experience that is unique for each individual. I highly recommend this book for patients and families undergoing the sometimes confusing, often fearful, and yes, at times even joyful, process of cancer care”.
“One cannot help but fully enter [the authors’] world as life around them at home and in the hospital evolves. Similar to Helene Hanff’s post World War II book, 84 Charing Cross Rd, today’s COCOON OF CANCER evokes the same intimacy of interchange, recording the candid tenderness and fears that surface for Abbe and Jim… This book will be a source of comfort, support, and information to couples entering the foreign world of high-tech cancer care while preserving their sense of family.”
~ Dr. Stewart B Fleishman, Founding Director, Cancer Supportive Services, Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, part of Mt. Sinai Health System; Author, Learn to Live Through Cancer:
Marketing Plan
Tours through PNBA bookstores as well as in Los Angeles, Baltimore, New York City, Jewish Book Festival (via Jewish Book Council), and Library talks
Advertising with PNBA Trade Show, IBPA catalogs (Book and Library), ABA Indie Next, 150 + ARCs, PW Select
Publicist, Social Media Specialist, Free Lance Editor and Graphic Artist, Website
Budget: Adds and conferences $5000, Travel $5000, Other $8000
Advertising with PNBA Trade Show, IBPA catalogs (Book and Library), ABA Indie Next, 150 + ARCs, PW Select
Publicist, Social Media Specialist, Free Lance Editor and Graphic Artist, Website
Budget: Adds and conferences $5000, Travel $5000, Other $8000
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780984511938 |
| PRICE | $11.99 (USD) |
Links
Average rating from 6 members
Featured Reviews
Martha W, Reviewer
This book has been a treasure to read and experience! The title is so revealing of the truths that accompany a diagnosis of.cancer. Having first hand experiences of being the cancer patient as well as caregiver, this book shares honestly the myriad emotions involved. And this treasure shared HOPE as one of then most important "treatments" Bravo to.this amazing family and their medical teams!
Elizabeth H, Reviewer
This small book would be a comfort and guide to any couple dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Told in a combination of emails and essays, Cocoon of Cancer follows Abbe and Jim through the year that cancer took from them. Abbe concentrates on the love that she and Jim felt for each other and the support they received from their friends and family. Many of the emails chronicled in great detail all the tests and procedures Jim underwent during his treatment.
As a cancer survivor, I appreciated Abbe and Jim's candor in relating how difficult and consuming treatment is. My only critique is that Abbe glosses over the debilitating anxiety and anger many cancer patients experience.
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