The Things I Learnt About Cancer Without Doing A Google Search

By Reena Narayan

The Things I Learnt About Cancer Without Doing A Google Search is a book to help you with the practical side of a cancer diagnosis.

This book can help you increase your awareness of not only the physical changes and how to manage them, but also to help your family and friends support you through your illness. The Things I Learnt About Cancer Without Doing A Google Search is a first hand account of the ups and downs of cancer and how to make the most of each situation that arises.

Written in an honest and often humorous manner, you may find the one thing to make a day easier and manageable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Reena Narayan
• Release date: May 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476346274

Reena Narayan

Reena Narayan's life was rudely interrupted by an inconvenient alien years ago, which led her down the path of writing and publishing her book "The Things I Learnt About Cancer Without Doing A Google Search". Her intention was to help other people whose life has also been interrupted by cancer diagnosis.

Book preview

The Things I Learnt About Cancer Without Doing A Google Search

By Reena Narayan

Copyright 2012 Reena Narayan

Smashwords Edition

Table of contents

1 Preface

2 The inconvenient alien

3 Say what?

4 Crazy thoughts

5 Interviewing for a team

6 A state of breastlessness

7 A hollow feeling

8 Hospital stays

9 Hospital dress code

10 Breaking news

11 Facts for kids

12 Jobs

13 The plan to make me better

14 Surfing the chemotherapy wave

15 Like a crispy skin duck

16 Open to the public

17 Experts in the field

18 Mind and body care

19 Phonies

20 Knowing

21 Communication

22 Life goes on

23 Anonymous prayers

24 Pick me ups

25 Never in my wildest dreams

26 Getting physical

27 New limits

28 Do

29 For the fun of it

30 Along came a stutter

31 Energy management

32 Dress code

33 Get wiggy with it

34 Celebrity watch

35 Time for me

36 Let it go let it out exercise

37 Small steps

38 Goal setting exercise

39 Stocktake

She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away she adjusted her sails Elizabeth Edwards

Preface back to top

Cancer is a terrible disease no matter what its size and grade, it interrupts life and can also alter the way you live it. My story is based on a type of cancer and the treatments plans that were prescribed were related to my diagnosis. Treatment plans will differ from person to person however the physical, emotional and psychological effects experienced can be similar. 80% of this book was written while I was being treated and the intention was and still is to share my story to help others who have received a cancer diagnosis. I also hope that it can provide family and friends of patients an insight into living with the disease, so that they can provide a support system to help.

This is a book about my personal experience; particularly various things that came up as I progressed through treatment and I’ve provided suggestions should you find yourself in similar situations. It’s a little bit self-help and in your face, with a dash of humor to balance it out.

The inconvenient alien back to top

I’ve learnt the body is an extraordinary instrument and that it may break down, but with help, patience and humor it can be restored after it has been broken. On the 4th of October 2008 my life changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my body had been invaded by an inconvenient and unwelcome alien and I wasn’t impressed. I was living a great life with my partner, spending time with family, dancing with friends, watching movies, taking holidays and enjoying my job. I didn’t have time for breast cancer you see.

Thinking back I suppose I had a superhero mindset in that I thought I was invincible, never imagining that anything could bring me crashing to earth so quickly. I was confronted with a situation I had never imagined or planned for, I’m big on making lists, in fact I love them and naturally cancer didn’t appear on any of them. I know no one plans to get to cancer, I just never thought I would have to deal with a serious illness before 60 at least, given I was fit, healthy and had no history of illness in my family. Throughout