Recommended Reading for Patients & Families
All books posted on this page have been recommended and/or written by members of the PMP Pals' Network!
Read more than 155 articles written by PMP Pal Patients and their families!
Preparing for a Physician Consultation
Author: PMP Pals' Network
Preparing for Surgery
Author: PMP Pals' Network
Resources for Patients and Caregivers
Author: PMP Pals' Network
Recommended Reading: Inspiration from a Surgeon
Brain Surgeon: A Doctor's Inspiring Encounter with Mortality and Miracles
by Keith Black MD with Arnold Mann
This book was recommended by PMP Pal, Brian.
Brian is a cancer survivor and thriver!
Recommended Reading: Nutrition
The Cancer Lifeline Cookbook
Kimberly Mathai, with Ginny Smith.
Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books, 2004, 234 pages, $19.95.
The Cancer Lifeline Cookbook could be described as a combination cookbook and nutrition guide for patients with cancer, caregivers, and survivors who want to adopt a healthy lifestyle after treatments have been completed. This well-organized, informative, and up-to-date nutrition and cancer book has wonderful recipes, each with a nutritional analysis.
The text is easy to read and divided into seven sections, including resources for cancer- and nutrition-related information and an index. Each section provides an overview of the cancer-fighting properties of foods, how to incorporate these foods into patients' diet, and tips on menu planning, preparing and storing foods, and recipes. Although few limitations can be found in this book, some of the recipes require ingredients that are not typical in certain regions of the United States (e.g., nori, a sea vegetable that is a rich source of protein). On the other hand, cooking is all about being adventurous and trying unusual ingredients.
The Cancer Lifeline Cookbook addresses nutritional management issues in cancer therapy that are well organized and easy to understand. The chef's and nutritional tips throughout the recipe section are a strong addition to the book. The authors did a great job in discussing cancer and nutritional benefits and implementing them into mouthwatering recipes. Illustrations are sparse; however, the cookbook does provide a glossary of terms.
The uniqueness of this publication lays in its upbeat approach to promoting healthy eating during cancer therapy without compromising flavors, variety, or good nutrition. The section on 10 super foods is very practical. This cookbook would be a great addition to patients' libraries.
This book was reviewed by:
Joyce Diacopoulos, RD, CNSD, LDN
Nutrition Coordinator
Hillman Cancer Center
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Pittsburgh, PA
Gut- Check: Your Prime Source for Bowel Health and Colon Cancer Prevention
by Jeffrey M. Aron, Harriette E. Aron
Be Good to Your Gut: Recipes and Tips for People With Digestive Problems
by Pat Baird
The Culinary Couple's Creative Colitis Cookbook
by Denise Weale, Ross Weale
Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health:Enjoy Better Digestion With Answers to More Than 12 Common Conditions
by John E., Md. King (Editor),
Mayo Clinic
The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut:The Complete Nutritional Guide to Ileitis, Colitis, Crohn's Disease,
and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
by James Scala
The What to Eat if You Have Cancer Cookbook
by Daniella Chace, with Maureen Keane (Contributor)
Recommended Reading: Anti Inflammation Diet
Recommended Reading: Inspiration and Coping Skills
Order your copies from the authors' websites, your local book store, or Amazon.com
Recommended Reading: Inspiration for Dads and Families
The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler
My Daughters, My Illness, and the Men Who Could Be Me
A description of this book, from Amazon.com:
"Bestselling author Bruce Feiler was a young father when he was diagnosed with cancer. He instantly worried what his daughters' lives would be like without him. "Would they wonder who I was? Would they wonder what I thought? Would they yearn for my approval, my love, my voice?" Three days later he came up with a stirring idea of how he might give them that voice.He would reach out to six men from all the passages in his life, and ask them to be present in the passages in his daughters' lives. And he would call this group "The Council of Dads."
Recommended Reading: Perspectives from Transplant Patients
Dancing with Angels: A Transplant Odyssey
by Elizabeth A Pratt
Amazon.com posts: "This is a one of a kind book that will take you thru the world of transplantation/organ donation or the path of catastrophic illness. How do you prepare? What do you need to know? What donor families and other transplants tell about their experiences... "
Recommended Reading: Coping with Cancer
Recommended Reading: Inspiration and Coping Skills
Parallel Journeys: A Spirited Approach to Coping and Living With Cancer
by cancer survivor Dr Larry Lachman with Ric Masten
Order your copy of Parallel Journeys
Recommended Reading: Coping with Cancer
Spiritual Signs and Lessons of a Cancer Survivor, Book Two
by Appendix Cancer patient and PMP Pal, Dr Robert Rauch
Order your copies (Books 1 and 2) Spiritual Signs of a Survivor
Recommended Reading: Inspiration for Coping with Cancer
Spiritual Signs and Lessons from a Cancer Survivor, Books 1 and 2
by appendix cancer patient, and PMP Pal, Dr Robert Rauch
Order your copies (Volumes 1 and 2)Spiritual Signs of a Survivor
Recommended Reading: Inspiration and Nature
Huntley Meadows Park Butterflies
Photographed by PMP Pal, Fred B Siskind
Fred is a cancer survivor and thriver!
View additional amazing photos from Fred's collection!
Recommended Reading:Love and Life with an Ostomy
It's in the Bag and Under the Covers
by Brenda Elsagher
Here's what Amazon.com says about It's in the Bag....
"This book provides a candid account of the challenges that ostomy patients face when they resume dating, intimacy, and sex. Their trials and tribulations tell the story of human courage and grace in the face of illness and unexpected change and the eventual triumph of love over adversity. This will ring true with all men and women who trade any type of major body image-altering surgery for a healthy life. Judith L. Trudel, MD, FACS, FASCRS, Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates, St. Paul, MN; Clinical Professor of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Minnesota"
Recommended Reading: Colon Cancer
Colon and Rectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Families
Author: Lorraine Johnston
This book is a helpful addition to the library of any colorectal or gastrointestinal cancer patient.
Among the practical topics addressed are:
Managing your Finances, Insurance, and Employment During Medical Treatment
Tips for Communicating with Medical Personnel
Sexuality and Intimacy
Stress and the Immune System
Traveling Long Distance for Medical Care
Staging System Equivalents and, much more!
Educate yourself, and your loved ones with this informative book!
Author: Lorraine Johnston
This book is a helpful addition to the library of any colorectal or gastrointestinal cancer patient.
Among the practical topics addressed are:
Managing your Finances, Insurance, and Employment During Medical Treatment
Tips for Communicating with Medical Personnel
Sexuality and Intimacy
Stress and the Immune System
Traveling Long Distance for Medical Care
Staging System Equivalents and, much more!
Educate yourself, and your loved ones with this informative book!
Recommended Reading: "Green" Organic Cosmetics
Recommended Reading: Cancer Prevention
Cancer Prevention for the Human Race
by Robert A Wascher, MD FACS
Here's how Amazon.com describes this book:
"Few diseases create the level of fear associated with a new diagnosis of cancer. Fortunately, cancer experts have estimated that at least 50 to 60 percent of all cancer cases can be prevented through evidence-based modifications in lifestyle and diet. "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race" is a landmark, evidence-based guide to a healthy cancer-prevention lifestyle, and comprehensively informs readers on the important findings of hundreds of recent cutting-edge cancer research studies, performed by the world's foremost cancer research scientists. Written for lay readers by Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS, an internationally recognized cancer physician, cancer surgeon, cancer researcher, educator, professor, and author.
The Author is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, and the editor of the popular global health information website, "Weekly Health Update" (www.doctorwascher.com). Dr. Wascher is the author of numerous research papers, book chapters, articles, essays, and columns on a variety of health-related topics, and serves as a Consultant in both Oncology and Surgery for multiple health care and health information organizations. Dr. Wascher's next book, "Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & the Breast Cancer Epidemic," is scheduled for publication in 2011."
Recommended Reading: Senior Issues of Concern
Recommended Reading: Sleep Better!
Recommended Reading: Families Cope with Cancer
When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children [Paperback] Wendy S. Harpham (Author)P
Where's Mom's Hair? (A Family's Journey Through Cancer) [Paperback]Debbie Watters (Author)
Helping Your Children Cope with Your Cancer (Second Edition): A Guide for Parents and Families [Paperback]Peter VanDerNoot (Author)
Cancer in The Family [Paperback]Sue Heiney (Author), Joan Hermann (Author), Katherine Bruss (Author), Joy Fincannon (Author) ·
Recommended Reading: Helping Children Overcome Grief
Children and Grief: When a Parent Dies
Children and Grief: When a Parent Dies [Paperback]
by J. William Worden
Description provided by Amazon.com:
"Drawing upon extensive interviews and assessments of school-age children who have lost a parent to death, this book offers a portrait of the mourning process in children. The volume presents major findings from the Harvard Child Bereavement Study and places them in the context of previous research, shedding new light on both the wide range of normal variation in children's experience of grief and the factors that put bereaved children at risk. The book also compares parentally bereaved children with those who have suffered loss of a sibling to death, or of a parent through divorce, exploring similarities and differences in these experiences of loss. A concluding section explores the clinical implications of the findings and includes a review of intervention models and activities, as well as a screening instrument designed to help identify high-risk bereaved children."
Recommended Reading: Helping Children Overcome Grief
d Grief
For Ch
Barr Harris Childrens' Grief Center
and Adolescents
The Barr-Harris Center serves children who have lost a parent through death, divorce, or abandonment. It provides diagnostic evaluations, short- or long-term treatment if necessary, and parent guidance. Barr-Harris staff also make educational presentations and provide consultation to schools, community agencies, hospitals, etc. The Barr Harris website includes books for pre school through high school age children, who can benefit from assistance during the grieving process.
For Ch
Barr Harris Childrens' Grief Center
and Adolescents
The Barr-Harris Center serves children who have lost a parent through death, divorce, or abandonment. It provides diagnostic evaluations, short- or long-term treatment if necessary, and parent guidance. Barr-Harris staff also make educational presentations and provide consultation to schools, community agencies, hospitals, etc. The Barr Harris website includes books for pre school through high school age children, who can benefit from assistance during the grieving process.
Recommended Reading: Helping Children Overcome Grief
For Preschoolers:
These books are available via Amazon.com or your local book store...
"The Next Place" by Warren Hanson. "The Next Place is an inspirational journey of light and hope to a place where earthly hurts are left behind." For children of all ages.
How I Feel - A Coloring Book by Alan Wolfelt. Dr. Alan Wolfelt's coloring book for kids ages 3-8 explores many of the feelings grieving children often experience.
I Heard Your Daddy Died by Mark Scrivani. Memories, keepsakes and wearing daddy's shirts for sleep shirts are all encouraged.
I Heard Your Mommy Died by Mark Scrivani. Talks about many changes that come and reassures the child that she is loved and will be taken care of.
Saying Goodbye by Jim Boulden. Color-in cartoons, drawings and activities to help children understand the finality of absence while being offered the assurance of the continuity of love.
Books for Elementary Age:
The 10th Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst. The book helps children put into words many questions that they might be too young to articulate and helps parents answer them. The wrting is excellent and perfectly captures the voice of a young boy.
I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas. Helps children understand that death is a natural complement to life and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings for them to have following a loved one's death. Kids are encouraged to understand personal feelings and social problems as a first step in dealing with them.
Good Grief for Kids - A Journal to Help Children with their Grief by Katherine Zotovich. A journal designed to assist children in coping with their grief during times of loss. Children are encouraged to express themselves through drawing and writing. Has an adult resource section.
Remember...A Child Remembers by Enid Samuel-Traisman. This is a write-in memory book, a healing keepsake journal. There is a place for memories, drawing, the funeral experience and facing going back to school. Good for the "tween".
Last Goodbye, Versions 1 and 2 by Jim Boulden. Designed for ages 8-13 years. It offers information to help a young person understand grief. It also has ideas and activities to help young people process their own grief and look at beginnings as well as endings after a death.
Books for Adolescents:
Facing Change - Falling Apart and Coming Together Again in the Teen Years by Donna O'Toole. Founded on the belief that teens can make effective choices that can transform pain into resilience, this book provides an abundance of information and coping choices to assist the process.
You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life After the Loss of a Parent by Lynn Hughes. Teens reach out to teens and people who care for them with understanding and compassion. Frank testimonials, along with discussion, make this essential for coping and beginning the lifelong process of healing.
Fire in my Heart, Ice in My Veins by Enid Samuel-Traisman. Teens can write letters, copy down lyrics, write songs and poems,tell the person who dies what they want them to know, finish business and use creativity to work through the grieving process.
I Remember You-A Grief Journal by Laynee Gilbert. Moving quotes and comforting advice that will support anyone working through the cascade of emotions that follows the death of someone close. A place to record dreams and special memories, say through letter-writing what was left unsaid, a place for photos and mementos to create a keepsake book.
Straight Talk About Death For Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love by Eric Grollman. Offers advice and answers the kinds of questions that teens are likely to ask themselves when grieving.
Books for Adults Helping Children:
Helping Children Cope with Death by The Dougy Center, The National Center for Grieving Children and Families. The Dougy Center, PO Box 86852, Portland, OR 97286 1-866-775-5683 www.dougy.org This concise book covers basic principles of children and grief, phases of grief, understanding the different age groups in relating to death, common feelings, and how to help as well as pitfalls.
Helping Teens Cope with Death by The Dougy Center. Covers the unique needs of teenagers and ways that you can help them.
Helping Children Grieve and Grow by Donna O'Toole. Booklet to learn about helping children grieve.
Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times Of Loss, Grief and Change by Barbara Coloroso. Offers concrete, compassionate ideas for supporting children as they navigate the emotional ups and downs that accompany loss. At the heart of her approach is T.A.O. of Family - time, affection and optimism. Enriched by uplifting humor and insightful anecdotes from her own experiences as a Franciscan nun, mother of three, and thirty years as a parenting educator.
35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child by The Dougy Center. Learn what to expect from grieving children at different ages, how to provide safe outlets for children to express their thought and feelings, and how to support them through the memorial service, holidays and anniversaries.
A Child's View of Grief by Alan Wolfelt. Concise resource explores several key principles for helping children cope with grief. This guide identifies and explains typical behaviors, thoughts and feelings of grieving kids and offers adults tips for responding to them.
These books are available via Amazon.com or your local book store...
"The Next Place" by Warren Hanson. "The Next Place is an inspirational journey of light and hope to a place where earthly hurts are left behind." For children of all ages.
How I Feel - A Coloring Book by Alan Wolfelt. Dr. Alan Wolfelt's coloring book for kids ages 3-8 explores many of the feelings grieving children often experience.
I Heard Your Daddy Died by Mark Scrivani. Memories, keepsakes and wearing daddy's shirts for sleep shirts are all encouraged.
I Heard Your Mommy Died by Mark Scrivani. Talks about many changes that come and reassures the child that she is loved and will be taken care of.
Saying Goodbye by Jim Boulden. Color-in cartoons, drawings and activities to help children understand the finality of absence while being offered the assurance of the continuity of love.
Books for Elementary Age:
The 10th Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst. The book helps children put into words many questions that they might be too young to articulate and helps parents answer them. The wrting is excellent and perfectly captures the voice of a young boy.
I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas. Helps children understand that death is a natural complement to life and that grief and a sense of loss are normal feelings for them to have following a loved one's death. Kids are encouraged to understand personal feelings and social problems as a first step in dealing with them.
Good Grief for Kids - A Journal to Help Children with their Grief by Katherine Zotovich. A journal designed to assist children in coping with their grief during times of loss. Children are encouraged to express themselves through drawing and writing. Has an adult resource section.
Remember...A Child Remembers by Enid Samuel-Traisman. This is a write-in memory book, a healing keepsake journal. There is a place for memories, drawing, the funeral experience and facing going back to school. Good for the "tween".
Last Goodbye, Versions 1 and 2 by Jim Boulden. Designed for ages 8-13 years. It offers information to help a young person understand grief. It also has ideas and activities to help young people process their own grief and look at beginnings as well as endings after a death.
Books for Adolescents:
Facing Change - Falling Apart and Coming Together Again in the Teen Years by Donna O'Toole. Founded on the belief that teens can make effective choices that can transform pain into resilience, this book provides an abundance of information and coping choices to assist the process.
You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life After the Loss of a Parent by Lynn Hughes. Teens reach out to teens and people who care for them with understanding and compassion. Frank testimonials, along with discussion, make this essential for coping and beginning the lifelong process of healing.
Fire in my Heart, Ice in My Veins by Enid Samuel-Traisman. Teens can write letters, copy down lyrics, write songs and poems,tell the person who dies what they want them to know, finish business and use creativity to work through the grieving process.
I Remember You-A Grief Journal by Laynee Gilbert. Moving quotes and comforting advice that will support anyone working through the cascade of emotions that follows the death of someone close. A place to record dreams and special memories, say through letter-writing what was left unsaid, a place for photos and mementos to create a keepsake book.
Straight Talk About Death For Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love by Eric Grollman. Offers advice and answers the kinds of questions that teens are likely to ask themselves when grieving.
Books for Adults Helping Children:
Helping Children Cope with Death by The Dougy Center, The National Center for Grieving Children and Families. The Dougy Center, PO Box 86852, Portland, OR 97286 1-866-775-5683 www.dougy.org This concise book covers basic principles of children and grief, phases of grief, understanding the different age groups in relating to death, common feelings, and how to help as well as pitfalls.
Helping Teens Cope with Death by The Dougy Center. Covers the unique needs of teenagers and ways that you can help them.
Helping Children Grieve and Grow by Donna O'Toole. Booklet to learn about helping children grieve.
Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times Of Loss, Grief and Change by Barbara Coloroso. Offers concrete, compassionate ideas for supporting children as they navigate the emotional ups and downs that accompany loss. At the heart of her approach is T.A.O. of Family - time, affection and optimism. Enriched by uplifting humor and insightful anecdotes from her own experiences as a Franciscan nun, mother of three, and thirty years as a parenting educator.
35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child by The Dougy Center. Learn what to expect from grieving children at different ages, how to provide safe outlets for children to express their thought and feelings, and how to support them through the memorial service, holidays and anniversaries.
A Child's View of Grief by Alan Wolfelt. Concise resource explores several key principles for helping children cope with grief. This guide identifies and explains typical behaviors, thoughts and feelings of grieving kids and offers adults tips for responding to them.
Recommended Reading: Overcoming Grief for Adults
Recommended Reading: Overcoming Grief for Adults
Recommended Reading: Overcoming Grief for Spouses
Finding Your Way after Your Spouse Dies by Marta Felder.
For Widows Only by Annie Estlund
A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis.
I'm Grieving as Fast as I Can: How Young Widows and Widowers can Cope and Heal by Linda Feinberg.
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The PMP Pals' Network updates our website 364 days per year with a wide variety of new information to keep you informed about maintaining optimal health! Whether you seek information about research studies, health insurance, personal mentoring, diet and exercise, new treatment options, and so much more, the PMP Pals' Network is your "go to" place for information! This page last updated on 07.16.11