Stronger Than Before Surviving Medical Tragedy and Discovering Life's Second Act
Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood
Empowering young adult cancer patients with expert guidance, practical strategies, and heartfelt real-life stories, Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood draws on decades of experience from Christina Pozo-Kaderman, PhD, and Saul Wisnia to help reclaim life and identity amidst the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood explores the emotional, physical, and practical challenges faced by young adults aged 18-49 who are navigating a cancer diagnosis during critical life milestones in early adulthood. This guide provides actionable advice for managing emotional struggles, financial concerns, relationship challenges, and physical health changes caused by cancer. Christina Pozo-Kaderman is a clinical psychologist and director of the Young Adult Program and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Saul Wisnia is Dana-Farber's senior publications editor. Drawn from their over fifty-five combined years of experience working with and telling the stories of early-adult patients, this guide will address topics such as: -Mood and mental health changes -Loss of independence -Feelings of isolation -Managing relationships -Financial toxicity -Fertility and sexual health changes -Redefining "normal" -Fear of recurrence and "scanxiety" Meeting patients where they are in the cancer journey, Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood aims to empower patients to advocate for themselves and tackle challenges head-on. Offering actionable self-care tips, expert-backed strategies, and real-life cancer survivor stories, this resource supports young adults and their caregivers in overcoming cancer's emotional and physical toll to rebuild identity and find hope.
Cured of Cancer
Neeltje Elisabeth Langeveld (1954) worked at the Emma Children's Hospital where she was promoted to the position of Research Nurse in the Children's Cancer Department. From 1990 she trained in Clinical Epidemiology for Nurses at the AMC. In 1996 she started the research which is the subject of this dissertation. She will remain active as Research Nurse in the Children's Cancer Department when she has completed it. This dissertation focuses on aspects of the quality of life of young adults who have recovered from childhood cancer. Some fivehundred childhood cancer survivors, aged from 16 to 49 years, were asked to complete a questionnaire during their annual clinical check up at the 'Polikliniek Late Effecten Kindertumoren' (plek). The dissertation compares the results with a control group of subjects who had never suffered from cancer.
The Type Zero Diabetic
What if everything you thought you knew about diabetes was wrong?This isn't just another book about blood sugar-this is a call to arms. A radical reframe. A health revolution.In The Type Zero Diabetic, double board-certified physician and award-winning endocrinologist Dr. Mary Ann Martintakes you on her personal journey from prediabetic patient to hormone-hacking health disrupter. With honesty, grit, and zero sugar-coating, she reveals how lifestyle-not lifelong meds-is the most powerful prescription for preventing and reversing diabetes. This is for you if: You feel like your health is spiraling and you're stuck in the sick-care systemYou've been told diabetes is inevitable because of your family historyYou're exhausted, inflamed, stressed, or simply over itYou're ready to take back control-with real tools, not just pillsInside, you'll uncover: The real (and often ignored) root causes of diabetesHow to fork your way to freedom with food that healsWhy sleep, stress, and movement matter more than you thinkHerbal hacks, grocery lists, and survival guides to outsmart every obstacleA bold new identity: becoming a Type Zero-free from the grip of diabetes
The Type Zero Diabetic
What if everything you thought you knew about diabetes was wrong?This isn't just another book about blood sugar-this is a call to arms. A radical reframe. A health revolution.In The Type Zero Diabetic, double board-certified physician and award-winning endocrinologist Dr. Mary Ann Martintakes you on her personal journey from prediabetic patient to hormone-hacking health disrupter. With honesty, grit, and zero sugar-coating, she reveals how lifestyle-not lifelong meds-is the most powerful prescription for preventing and reversing diabetes. This is for you if: You feel like your health is spiraling and you're stuck in the sick-care systemYou've been told diabetes is inevitable because of your family historyYou're exhausted, inflamed, stressed, or simply over itYou're ready to take back control-with real tools, not just pills
Surviving the Hospital
Learn Lifesaving Strategies for Your Hospital Visit In Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know, Val Barschaw offers essential, inspiring, and easy-to-understand guidance to help you navigate the complex world of healthcare. Whether you're facing surgery or supporting a loved one through theirs, this book presents six actionable secrets aimed at ensuring you achieve the best possible outcome. Your health is invaluable, and these insights empower and prepare you for your journey. Having spent years in and out of hospitals due to her husband's need for a heart transplant, Barschaw shares her firsthand knowledge with a deep sense of empathy for those in similar situations. Don't leave your hospital experience to chance. Arm yourself with the wisdom in Surviving the Hospital and take control of your healthcare journey today.
May Contain Anxiety
A compassionate guide that teaches parents of children with food allergies how to mindfully manage anxiety and balance allergy safety with living fully.Parenting a child with food allergies or other allergic conditions means navigating a labyrinth of emotions, decisions, and challenges. In May Contain Anxiety, licensed therapist and allergy parent Tamara Hubbard provides practical guidance tailored to the millions of parents managing this reality. Through her own parenting experiences, clinical expertise, and the voices of other allergy parents, Hubbard offers a compassionate resource to help you thrive amid the overwhelm. This essential guide provides: - Insight into the emotional and psychological challenges of allergy parenting, including managing anxiety, dealing with uncertainty, and navigating developmental changes. - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) strategies for accepting discomfort, decreasing overwhelm, and mindfully parenting based on values, not anxiety.- Evidence-based techniques to address fear-driven thoughts and to cultivate awareness to manage allergy-related anxiety effectively. - Guidance on how to teach children age-appropriate skills to safely and responsibly manage their allergies. - Tips for establishing shared parenting goals and clear communication between co-parents to create consistent and effective allergy management routines. - Mindfulness-based exercises designed to support the whole family in navigating the emotional complexities of allergy management together. - Step-by-step strategies for creating a personalized mindful allergy parenting plan.Each chapter is enriched with relatable stories, real-world examples, and exercises designed to empower both you and your family. Whether you're grappling with an unexpected diagnosis or seeking balance after allergy-related challenges, this book will help you foster an encouraging, confident environment for your child and yourself.
Still Me
AN IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER 'What everybody needs to read... a deep and powerful understanding of what the person who has dementia is going through' - Davina McCall 'A beautifully written, personal, empathetic and immensely practical book' - Dr Harry Barry, GP, author and mental health advocateThe essential toolkit to navigating dementia, supporting loved ones and caring for yourself Dementia is devastating. Almost a million people are currently living with the disease in the UK alone and this is set to triple by 2050. With family members often providing care, navigating treatment can be overwhelming. But there is life after diagnosis. Still Me reframes the job of caring for someone with dementia as a partnership. Both you and your loved one deserve respect, support and the latest research to help you on your journey. Top neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr Sabina Brennan combines her professional knowledge with her personal experience of caring for her mother with dementia. With a human-rights approach that validates everyone's experience and dignity, she offers: - A self-care plan for care partners to cope with demands and optimise the caregiving experience- Practical advice on how to manage challenging symptoms, stimulate cognitive function and encourage a brain-healthy lifestyle- Evidence-based therapies to improve both you and your relative's quality of life. Dementia can steal many things, but it doesn't have to take away the simple pleasures of life. Shifting the focus from the disease to the person, Still Me reminds you that your relative is still there and that you, as a care partner, are just as important.
The Epileptic Warrior Princess
The Epileptic Warrior Princess - Life with Epilepsy: How to Manage, Understand, and Overcome Struggles That Come with It on a Regular Basisn By Tamara and Chess SimeunovicDiscover a powerful blend of personal memoir, practical guidance, and passionate advocacy in The Epileptic Warrior Princess - Life with Epilepsy. Written by Tamara Simeunovic, who has lived with epilepsy since age two, alongside her loyal seizure-alert dog Chess, this book offers an unflinching look at the challenges and triumphs of navigating life with a neurological condition.From the heart-wrenching realities of drug-resistant tonic-clonic seizures to the societal misunderstandings that isolate those with invisible disabilities, Tamara shares her journey with raw honesty. She recounts her struggles with bullying, discriminatory employment practices, and complex relationships, while offering hard-won insights into managing seizures, coping with stress, and advocating for fair treatment from institutions like the DWP.This book is more than a memoir-it's a lifeline for those with epilepsy, their families, and caregivers. Learn about different seizure types, the side effects of anti-epileptic medications, and practical strategies to reduce triggers and strive for a seizure-free life. Tamara's inspiring story, paired with actionable advice, empowers readers to rise above limitations, fight for their rights, and embrace their inner strength.Key topics include: Understanding epilepsy: Symptoms, brain areas affected, and medication challengesNavigating social, romantic, and workplace obstacles with epilepsyCoping with stress, loss, and the emotional toll of an invisible disabilityAdvocating for yourself against systemic barriers, from employment to benefitsPractical tips for seizure management and supporting loved ones with epilepsyWith heartfelt dedications to her support network and a collection of empowering life quotes, The Epileptic Warrior Princess is a call to action for greater epilepsy awareness and a testament to resilience. Whether you're living with epilepsy, supporting someone who is, or seeking to understand the condition, this book will inspire you to face life's battles with courage and determination.Join Tamara and Chess on their journey to redefine what it means to live with epilepsy-because every warrior deserves to shine.Available in eBook and paperback. Perfect for readers interested in chronic illness memoirs, disability advocacy, and self-help for neurological conditions.
Stress Nation
A provocative deep dive into how technology is wrecking our hormones and our health--and the powerful tools you need to reclaim your well-being and thrive. Stress Nation provides answers to the lingering questions many people have about why they constantly feel tired, lonely, anxious, disconnected, and unwell, explaining in both humorous and poignant prose how the technology that was supposed to make our lives easier is actually one of the leading causes of chronic stress, dysregulated cortisol, and dangerously inadequate sleep. Equal parts commentary and practical guide, this book offers solutions that empower readers to manage their stress, improve their sleep, and implement scientifically supported methods to break the cycle of device addiction. In this book, readers will discover: How cortisol--the Master Hormone and your body's overworked alarm system--can become dangerously imbalanced, ruin your health, and leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. How Silicon Valley went for your attention instead of your well-being - and how that's warped the way we sleep, date, parent, and even think. Practical, empowering ways to unplug, reconnect, and start living like a human again - not a device-controlled zombie. Stress Nation is both your wake-up call and game plan that delivers on its promise of a clearer mind, healthier body, and better life.
The Book of Questions
GET INSPIRED BY YOUR OWN STORYIf you have a chronic illness, you know how difficult it is to get answers to your questions. Doctors don't have solutions. Simply explaining what's happening is a struggle.But what if the answers to your deepest questions were within you?As the newest addition to the iconic Book of Questions series, this book is an invitation to see and hear yourself-perhaps for the first time.When have you shown great courage and grit in overcoming something most people take for granted? Did you celebrate your triumph as much as it deserved?What stories do you tell yourself about your illness, and what purposes do they serve for you? Are there other stories that might better serve you?Explore difficult topics, deepen connections, and create your own path of meaning, growth, and fulfillment-whatever your health situation may be.
The Complete Alpha-Gal Syndrome Guide
Discover how to thrive with Alpha-Gal Syndrome in this comprehensive guide that transforms medical confusion into practical daily solutions. After a single tick bite triggers a life-altering allergy to mammalian meat, thousands face delayed reactions, medical skepticism, and dangerous hidden ingredients in everything from medications to cosmetics. This evidence-based handbook provides the roadmap from diagnosis to confident living. Inside you'll find: Emergency action plans for delayed allergic reactions occurring 3-8 hours after eating Complete medication safety protocols - 92% of prescriptions contain hidden mammalian ingredients Detailed food lists, meal plans, and restaurant navigation strategies Pediatric AGS management for schools and growth concerns Geographic guides for high-risk tick regions across the US Recovery possibilities - understanding the 12% who regain tolerance Insurance appeals, workplace accommodations, and legal rights Based on current medical research and real patient experiences, each chapter addresses specific challenges with practical solutions. From preventing the 170-pound weight loss trap to building support networks, this guide covers every aspect of AGS management. Stop surviving and start thriving. Get instant access to symptom tracking templates, restaurant communication cards in multiple languages, safe food databases, and insurance appeal letters that get results. Perfect for newly diagnosed patients, family members, healthcare providers, and anyone living in tick-endemic areas. Take control of your health journey with the most complete Alpha-Gal Syndrome resource available.
Cancer Is a Parasite, Not A Disease
THE BIGGEST LIE IN MEDICINEDoctors say cancer is a mistake. They say it happens when your cells go haywire. They say your body betrays you. They say it's all random.What if they're lying?What if cancer is not a mistake? What if cancer is a living parasite inside you? Something feeding on you. Something growing inside you, not by accident, but by design.You have been told cancer is genetic. That's bullshit. Cancer spreads like an infection. It moves through the blood, hijacks your body, and tricks your immune system into protecting it. It behaves like a parasite, because it is one.But you will never hear this from a doctor. Why? Because they make too much money treating cancer the wrong way.Chemo, radiation, and surgery are a trillion-dollar business. They cut, burn, and poison. But they never ask what cancer really is. They tell you it's inside you, so it must be your fault. Bad genes. Bad luck. Bad choices.That lie keeps the money flowing.They don't want you to know about parasites, bacteria, and hidden infections inside tumors. They don't want you asking why anti-parasitic drugs are wiping out cancer in some people. They don't want you looking at the research that got buried.Cancer is not your body turning against you. Cancer is something invading you. Something alive. And if you knew that, you would never trust their treatments again.
The 36-Hour Day
With over 4 million copies sold, the best-selling guide to understanding and caring for people with dementia is now redesigned, revised, and updated!For 40 years, The 36-Hour Day has been the leading work on the care of people with dementia and their family members. Written by experts with decades of experience caring for individuals with memory loss, Alzheimer disease, and other dementias, the book's authoritative and compassionate approach to care features discussions of the causes of dementia and the management of its symptoms from the early stages to late-stage disease.This edition highlights the significant advances in diagnostic testing, treatment, and research that have occurred in recent years. Offering useful takeaway messages and informed by the latest practices in dementia care, this new edition has been thoroughly updated. It features - updated information on prevention, new diagnostic methods and criteria, and advances in medication therapy;- essential insights on everything from home care aides to useful apps to promising preventive techniques and therapies; and - practical advice for avoiding caregiver burnout--plus tips for when and how to get additional help.Like earlier editions, the eighth edition focuses on improving the lives of those with dementia and memory loss as well as those who love and care for them. The definitive guide to dementia care, The 36-Hour Day offers readers compassionate guidance and a ready resource for every step of the journey.
Heart Disease and Diabetes
Managing heart disease and diabetes together presents a complex challenge that requires a coordinated and informed approach. These two chronic conditions are closely linked, with each significantly increasing the risk and severity of the other. When they occur simultaneously, they can accelerate health complications, making careful management essential. Countless individuals each year are diagnosed with both, often feeling stuck between different pieces of advice, juggling several medications, and unsure of how to take the first step toward better health.This guide provides straightforward advice and actionable steps to help individuals tackle both conditions at once. It focuses on achievable changes and realistic strategies that seamlessly fit into daily life, promoting long-term health and overall well-being.In this guide, you will learn about the following: How heart disease and diabetes interact, including common symptoms and overlapping risk factorsImportant lab values to monitor and their significanceThe impact of insulin resistance on both conditionsNutritional approaches that support stable blood sugar and heart healthLifestyle modifications such as physical activity, stress management, and sleep hygieneA detailed, step-by-step 4-week plan for resetting, stabilizing, and strengthening health habitsRecipes and meal plans tailored to support dual-condition managementStrategies for maintaining motivation, overcoming obstacles, and building lasting routinesKeep reading for a more in-depth understanding of the connection between diabetes and heart disease, as well as practical tips for managing both conditions through diet and lifestyle changes.
Beyond the Bathroom
Beyond the Bathroom: Rebuilding Your Social Life With DI is a practical, empowering guide for anyone living with Diabetes Insipidus who refuses to let constant bathroom breaks control their life.With honesty, warmth, and proven strategies, Matthew Petchinsky shows how to move from isolation and hesitation to confidence and connection. This book tackles the real challenges DI creates-missed events, awkward conversations, and the anxiety of being far from a restroom-and turns them into opportunities for growth, planning, and freedom.Inside, you'll find simple systems for mapping bathrooms, building a "Freedom Plan" for outings, communicating your needs without embarrassment, and preparing for everything from coffee dates to concerts. Learn how to travel with less stress, navigate workdays smoothly, and rejoin the social activities you've been avoiding.Drawing on practical tips and mindset shifts, Beyond the Bathroom proves you can live a vibrant, full life with DI-one where you're back in the seat at the movie, present at the party, and confident enough to say "yes" to adventures again.Whether you're newly diagnosed or have lived with DI for years, this book is your blueprint for stepping out of the bathroom's shadow and into a life of joy, connection, and possibility.
The POTS, MCAS & EDS Emergency Handbook
Transform medical emergencies from terrifying unknowns into manageable situations with the first comprehensive emergency handbook specifically designed for patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. When seconds count, knowledge saves lives. This evidence-based emergency guide provides step-by-step crisis protocols, tear-out emergency cards, and life-saving strategies that work when standard emergency medicine falls short for complex chronic conditions. Inside This Essential Emergency Resource: Emergency Protocol Cards - Wallet-sized reference cards for POTS syncope, MCAS reactions, and EDS dislocations Crisis Management Flowcharts - Quick decision trees for the 20 most common emergency scenarios Hospital Survival Strategies - How to communicate your needs effectively to emergency room staff Medication Emergency Protocols - Safe dosing charts and dangerous interaction warnings Emergency Kit Checklists - Complete supply lists for home, travel, and workplace emergencies Digital Integration Systems - QR codes linking to video demonstrations and cloud-based medical records Perfect for: Patients managing POTS, MCAS, and EDS (the "trifecta" conditions) Caregivers and family members Healthcare providers treating dysautonomia patients Emergency responders seeking condition-specific protocols Key Features: Tear-out emergency cards for wallets and purses Spiral-bound design for flat reference during crises Color-coded sections for rapid information access Evidence-based protocols reviewed by medical professionals Real-world examples from actual emergency situations Stop gambling with your health during medical emergencies. This comprehensive guide transforms complex medical knowledge into actionable emergency protocols that save time, prevent dangerous mistakes, and improve outcomes when every minute matters. From orthostatic crises and mast cell reactions to joint dislocations and hospital admissions, this emergency handbook provides the tools you need to take control of your medical care during the most vulnerable moments. Your emergency preparedness starts here.
Beating Painsomnia
Are you exhausted from sleepless nights caused by EDS, POTS, or MCAS? Discover the evidence-based sleep strategies that finally work for complex chronic conditions. If chronic pain, autonomic dysfunction, or mast cell reactions keep you awake despite your desperate need for rest, you're experiencing painsomnia - the cruel cycle where medical symptoms destroy sleep quality, making everything worse. This comprehensive guide breaks that cycle with proven solutions designed specifically for patients managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Inside this life-changing resource, you'll discover: Emergency protocols for managing nocturnal anaphylaxis, POTS episodes, and joint dislocations during sleep Advanced positioning systems that prevent subluxations while supporting restorative sleep cycles Temperature regulation strategies for autonomic dysfunction and heat/cold intolerance Histamine management protocols to stop middle-of-the-night mast cell reactions Medication timing optimization for maximum sleep benefits with minimal side effects Age-specific guidance from pediatric through geriatric populations Technology solutions including sleep tracking adaptations for chronic illness Healthcare navigation tools for building your specialized medical team 12-week implementation roadmap with troubleshooting guides for setbacks Stop suffering through another sleepless night. This isn't generic sleep advice that ignores your medical complexity - it's a specialized system developed for the unique challenges of connective tissue disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and mast cell activation. Transform your nights from painful endurance tests into restorative healing time. Your journey from painsomnia to peaceful sleep starts here.
Hope for Families
When chronic illness enters your family, everything changes. This comprehensive guide transforms overwhelming challenges into manageable steps for families supporting loved ones with POTS, MCAS, and EDS. Your loved one has been diagnosed with the "trifecta" of invisible chronic conditions, and you're searching for answers. How do you advocate in medical appointments when doctors don't understand these complex conditions? What do you do during a MCAS reaction or POTS flare? How do you maintain family relationships while managing daily caregiving demands? "Hope for Families" provides the practical tools and emotional support families desperately need. Inside this essential family guide, you'll discover: Medical literacy for families - Understanding POTS, MCAS, and EDS basics, emergency situations to recognize, and how to navigate medical appointments together Daily living support strategies - Household modifications, meal planning for dietary restrictions, medication management assistance, and energy conservation partnerships Crisis management protocols - Step-by-step emergency procedures for symptom flares and medical emergencies that other books ignore Family communication tools - Validation techniques, managing caregiver frustration, and supporting without enabling dependency Advocacy strategies - Medical advocacy, school accommodations, workplace support, and insurance navigation guidance Caregiver burnout prevention - Recognizing warning signs, setting sustainable boundaries, building support networks, and maintaining your identity Relationship preservation - Adapting intimacy, managing resentment, and growing together through chronic illness challenges Financial planning essentials - Managing medical expenses, disability applications, and emergency planning for complex chronic conditions This isn't another patient-focused medical guide. This is the first book to address the unique challenges families face when invisible chronic illness disrupts everything you thought you knew about health, relationships, and daily life. Each chapter includes detailed case examples, practical implementation strategies, and evidence-based guidance backed by current research. For parents navigating school accommodations, spouses learning to communicate about limitations, adult children supporting aging parents, and extended families trying to understand invisible disability-this guide meets you exactly where you are. Stop feeling lost and overwhelmed. Start building the skills, knowledge, and confidence your family needs to thrive despite chronic illness challenges. Your loved one needs advocates who understand their invisible stripes. This book shows you how to become the informed, effective support system they deserve.
