- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Short Books Ltd (14 July 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1904977391
- ISBN-13: 978-1904977391
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 189,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
What Can I Do to Help?
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Cancer is the biggest killer of our times, and yet remains one of the last great taboos. What should you do, or say, when a friend is diagnosed? Finally, here, help is at hand." Susan Howell
Product Description
Last November, Deborah Hutton discovered that the irritating cough she had had for two months was no trivial chest infection but in fact an aggressive carcino-adenoma that had already spread well beyond her lungs...What struck her, as she struggled to cope in the weeks following, was how difficult it was for everyone around her to deal with her news. They all wanted to help, to say the right thing. Yet somehow, all too often, their best attempts at kindness proved more debilitating than comforting. The grim reality of cancer is that life, with all its myriad demands, continues: the dog still needs walking, the daily meals need preparing and dishing up. "What can I do to help?" you ask. Well, stand by, because the answer is: plenty.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
62 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Deborah Hutton has Stage IV lung cancer, and as she points out there is no Stage V. That is not the most important thing about her. What is important is that she has used her experience to produce a book that is clear, inspiring, and answers the question that all who have ever had a friend with cancer ask themselves. From diagnosis to treatment to eventual outcome, good or bad, she offers ideas about what to say (do gossip, don't talk about your own back pain), what to do (do offer to cook meals, don't shrink away), and where to go for more information. What I found best was the way that personal experience was mixed in with practical advice, so that the advice was always related to particular needs. There are contributions from celebs from Jade Goody to Cherie Blair, but it's the directness of Hutton's own writing that grabs you most of all. A brilliant, useful and eloquent book.
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Deborah Hutton has written a book that is a must for any family faced with cancer, based on her own experience and those of others', including a number of celebs. This is not a mawkish or sad book: rather, it is an intensely practical guide of how relations and friends might help the person living with cancer and his or her family. It is uplifting and to the point. Worth every penny and the royalties go to the Macmillan cancer charity.
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just finished reading What can I do to help?, and it might seem like a strange thing to say, but I really enjoyed it! It's a collection of specific things to do for cancer patients and their carers that will help them through what might be a very tough time.
What gives it it's special qualities is the structure of the book. The author, Deborah Hutton, was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to her bones. Her experience of the shock of diagnosis and everything that followed forms the central theme of the book. Interspersed with her experience you get the 75 practical ideas and snippets of from a wide range of sources who've been in similar cirumstances; including Hugh Grant and Tony Benn. The result of this collage of ideas and anecdotes is a book that is easy to read, practical, humorous and in places very moving.
All the advice that is given is sensible and accommodates the wide range of reactions to cancer from different people. Some of the tips won't apply to all cancer patients or carers, and the author reminds you that you'll have to use your own good judgement about what do and when, but if you'd like some hints, tips and perspectives this is a great place to look.
What gives it it's special qualities is the structure of the book. The author, Deborah Hutton, was diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to her bones. Her experience of the shock of diagnosis and everything that followed forms the central theme of the book. Interspersed with her experience you get the 75 practical ideas and snippets of from a wide range of sources who've been in similar cirumstances; including Hugh Grant and Tony Benn. The result of this collage of ideas and anecdotes is a book that is easy to read, practical, humorous and in places very moving.
All the advice that is given is sensible and accommodates the wide range of reactions to cancer from different people. Some of the tips won't apply to all cancer patients or carers, and the author reminds you that you'll have to use your own good judgement about what do and when, but if you'd like some hints, tips and perspectives this is a great place to look.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Helpful guide for friends
I read this book some years ago. When my niece's best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, my niece felt very helpless - she wanted to give her friend support, but wasn't sure... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jane V
Invaluable resource
I am reasonably young and so when my friend had cancer, I didn't know what to say or how to help.
This book gives a wealth of really sensible advice - both what to do/say and... Read more
This book gives a wealth of really sensible advice - both what to do/say and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Busy mum with 2 kids
An excellent book for helping those diagnosed with cancer
What a little gem of a book - a close friend passed it to me when she was diagnosed with cancer and it was such a great help giving many useful tips and hints on what/what not to... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Amanda
Brilliant for the one with cancer too.
I've got cancer and I found this book absolutely stuffed with priceless advice with practical tips and advice - what a wonderful, wise book - I can't begin to express my... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mrs Colette Morris
Great!
If you have a friend or relative who has been diagnosed with cancer, forget the flowers, chocolates, cards (well....maybe not) this is the book to get. Read more
Published on 4 May 2009 by S. D. Williams
Very Helpful
A friend was recently diagnosed with Cancer, and whilst I had said the usual "let me know if there's anything I can do" I realised that I was'nt sure what the best way to go about... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2009 by Mrs. E. Hamilton
I wish I had known about this book
When I went through cancer many of my friends didn't know what to do. There were several people who said "If there's anything I can do... Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2008 by Wyvernfriend
Practical, witty and cheering
This was the first book I bought after my husband was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer last year. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2008 by Pipfitz
Good advice, well presented
When I was first diagnosed with colon cancer, many friends and relatives were naturally concerned. We were bombarded with well intentioned e-mails, requesting an "update". Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2008 by Iain Herbertson
Very helpful book
Deborah Hutton manages to illustrate clearly how a person diagnosed with cancer is likely to be feeling at various stages and also how people around the patient are likely to be... Read more
Published on 29 Feb 2008 by architect834
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