An Amazing Woman!
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Everyone said I was mad to read this and that I would only upset mysef but I am so glad I did. Feeling under the weather I subesequently scolded myself for feeling so down when there was no need. Ruth Picardie faced her last few months with such dignity and courage, and even humour especially with the India Knight emails! Well but emotionally written this is truly an inspirational book by an inspirational woman and her amazing family!
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A must read for everyone
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I would suggest everyone reads this book as it gives the reader an insight of how a diagnosis of cancer can affect the person and also the family unit. It gives an interesting and accurate depiction of how loss is coped with, by an average family. It includes the journey that loss can take, as Ruth describes in detail how she feels, using humour to tell her story, which on times must have been so painful. Although the finality of death is threaded all the way through this book, it remains up lifting with appropriate hope and although you may well need a box of tissues to read it, it seems to offer somehow more than just sadness. The impact of the diagnosis and the treatments that Ruth has are felt by the reader and clearly written by Matt Seaton, who highlights from his perspective the impact on the family unit. The uncertainty felt by families at this time is so clearly emphasised by Ruth as she talks about living in limbo, buying a pre payment certificate for prescriptions - 4 or 12 months? Her descriptions of side effects did on times make you laugh with her, she shatters some illusions, that cancer makes you thin as she describes how the steroids make her gain weight, Matt Seaton then adds to this that his strict vegetarian wife was now eating the children's leftover sausages - painting a sad picture of the actual physical and psychological decline of his wife.
This book is a must read for all health professionals and useful as a teaching aid for anyone working within health & social care.
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In between tears, you'll learn several worthwhile lessons
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A short and quickly read book, and perhaps not one which you could cope with at all stages in your life, this is the brief account (kind of parallels the brief life) of the last year of life of a 32 year old London journalist who discovers she has cancer - and the news rapidly gets worse and worse. A collection of her emails (sent and received), some pieces she wrote for the newspaper, and text from her husband, this really tells it how it is (or was) for them. Few euphemisms, and the heart-breaking fact for any parent reading the book that she left behind her twin children (conceived through IVF), who celebrated their 2nd birthday just a few weeks before her death. Good for gaining a basic understanding of what she went through and some empathy for any friends or family you may want to support at such times in the present or future.
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Honest and Realistic
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"Before I say Goodbye" does not shy away from the word CANCER. Ruth describes what is happening in a bittersweet way in which there is no doubt that cancer is a truly devestating event in the sufferers, and their families, lives. Her bravery and honesty shine through, and leave a legacy behind that will not be quickly forgotten.
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and you think you know........not
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This is one of those books that gets handed around from person to person with a "you must read ...". I admit to having had reservations - too many people I knew have recently died of the dreaded "c". Currently living in Chile I felt horribly isolated and unable to help. This book leaves the reader in no doubt as to the kaleidescope of emotions that friends and family go through - the disbelief, the fear, the anger...it was a generous and moving book and I believe that every person who allowed a part of themselves to be published therein should be thanked..I felt an incredible respect for them. If there is one part of this amazing piece of literature that friend's have repeatedly commented on - it is the piece by Ruth's husband. He revealed his heart and the terrible toll the illness had on their relationship - his honesty took courage and I for one am grateful for his ability to relate his feelings honestly - the good, the bad and the ugly and not resort to platitudes. A truly moving read.
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