Courage, Brave Amazon: One Woman's Spiritual Journey Through Breast Cancer [Paperback]

The first time cold reality strikes is when a consultant says to you, "Unless we operate you will surely die quite soon." Any one who has been in a similar position will recognise the emotional turmoil Chrissie describes as you prepare yourself and your loved ones for what might happen; the neck aching tension of not mentioning the tests, when you're waiting for the results, not least to sons, daughters, parents. Perhaps, you kid yourself, they may, just may, be negative. What makes me different from everyone else? Then comes the sheer horror of knowing you've reached the moment of truth. Perhaps the final one. No room for cowardly white, placatory lies here, because you could be caught out. There's no putting a band-aid on this one, of easing their pain.

Every woman reacts differently in this situation but almost all detest pity and negative responses. You feel like saying, yes I have to deal with this but you'll make it easier if you're not whinging all over my psyche. If my time's short, I don't need you to waste it like this.

Because what's ahead is probably the most difficult period you'll ever experience which is succinctly described. The easy part is getting used to the idea you have a growth created by your own flesh which wants to 'eat' you to death. This kind of affection you can do without. Then accepting spurning this monster will involve removal of one of the 'tokens' of your femininity, which you've always taken for granted, arouses a defiance, an anger, previously no one ever thinks they were capable of.

Chrissie describes the importance of the lymphatic ducts and what the surgeon is looking for, prior, during and after surgery. She explains what it is like to wake up and find yourself with drips attached, drains and a thick pile of white dressings which under a gown give the impression nothing has happened at all.

Then comes the hard part. You have to live with the after-care. For many patients this is worse than the disease. Prior to the mastectomy they may have had a little soreness and some pain, but this has no relation to what happens to a patient who has chemotherapy. Along with exhaustion come incipient nausea, a craving for sugar and many other side effects. Chrissie was already suffering from a low white cell count which meant this was protracted longer than usual. Then it was necessary to move onto radiotherapy. Comparatively, physically this was a holiday, or would have been without the 60 mile round trip each day for three weeks.

Along the way came the wonder drug Tamoxifen. Chrissie is part of the small minority who have severe adverse reaction to this and was ultimately prescribed a different drug. The book discusses the side effects of Tamoxifen which is a valuable contribution to anyone who has no knowledge of this drug at all. Unfortunately, patients are not always informed of what they might expect. As a result, when the side effects really kick in, most women think they've developed another, probably fatal, illness. The reasons why this happens are informative and will give women sufficient knowledge and confidence to ask for a different drug.

"Courage, Brave Amazons" is not only about one woman's fight, as the author explains, "My breast cancer happened to both of us," and admits how lucky she is to have her husband Pete by her side continuously. Their loving, happy 27-year marriage was a bedrock to repel all invaders and they drew strength from each other throughout.

Also sustaining Chrissie was her closeness to nature, described through Druidic philosophy. She has long felt in tune with the rhythms of earth and organic life and greets each Solstice as another milestone and celebration of continuing life. This reviewer found this aspect of healing interesting. I have reviewed other works regarding cancer and often staunch belief of a religious nature has played a large part in a sufferer's march to health. Equally, being in remission myself, I know it is not a prerequisite of regaining life. Once I was called stubborn, now I'm just obstinate. What unites all breast cancer patients I've met is a common love of, and belief in, life. This is something which grows stronger with adversity. The knowledge you could have missed the rest of your life ensures no future second is wasted.

This is warm, caring work designed to help any woman who has faced, or faces the trauma of breast cancer. It is not stuffed with long medical terms; those, which exist, are explained carefully so it is eminently readable with no possibility of misunderstanding.

Thoroughly recommended and furthermore every book purchased provides a donation to Breast Cancer Care, the leading Charity providing information and assistance to sufferers in UK.

This is a moving story of a couple's journey through breast cancer.
It clearly demonstrates the physical, psychological, philosophical and spiritual aspects in an easily readable and understandable way.
The book discusses Christine and Pete's relationships with all levels of medical, nursing and other members of the caring profession. It identifies the positive and negative aspects of diagnosis and all aspects of treatment, clearly demonstrating both their fears and their positive attitudes to Christine's care.
Their relationship with their daughter Lucy, her partner, and the couple's many friends is explored in a positive manner.
This book would be suitable both for people embarking upon this journey, their partners, nursing staff of all levels who care for those with breast cancer (both women and men), medical staff and those working as support staff.