Here are some of the most inspiring, real and honest stories I have come across. Books and eBooks are written by people from all over the world! They all heard the words Brain Tumour or Brain Cancer.
A Brain Tumour’s Travel Tale: Card’s On The Table, I Pooed Myself
Claire Bullimore had it all: a good job, wonderful boyfriend, lovely friends, but she also had something she didn’t want – a brain tumour. 12 years after the shock diagnosis, life-saving surgery and years of rehabilitation, Claire has written a book to help other people when their life does not go according to plan.
This book is the story of hope, of recovery and what happens when life doesn’t go according to your plan. Claire realised she had gained so much helpful information from her experience over the past 12 years that she could put it all into a very relatable book that she hopes can change people’s lives. Not just the survivor, but their loved ones, who will gain a better understanding of how to assist, be kind and patient. Often they are dealing with a perceived new person, as brain tumours can cause fundamental changes, both mentally and physically.
Starting at the Finish Line: My Cancer Partner, Perspective and Preparation
“Our job is to be there when things are bad.” Matt Newman said this to financial planners on a daily basis as a wholesaler in the financial services industry. He constantly preached the need to plan in advance, to be prepared for the unexpected and inevitable.
As a young man in his late thirties, he lived a healthy lifestyle, had a beautiful family, and a successful career. He practiced what he preached, and made sure he had a financial plan in place for his family. Everything seemed to be going in the right direction:
Life was about to change drastically.
After he began experiencing horrible headaches, insomnia, and strange speech issues, he realized something was very wrong. Four months into dealing with these issues, he finally went to the hospital; the doctors confirmed the worst; he had grade three astrocytoma. Matt was diagnosed with brain cancer at 39 years old.
Luckily, he had someone to help him through every terrible moment. Matt’s own father-in-law Larry had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three years earlier. The two men found support in each other and their combined family as they worked to find normalcy in an abnormal situation.
Matt’s memoir chronicles the journey that his entire family and support group took together which got him to a place of clarity, understanding and appreciation.
I Quit: Facing Cancer with Faith, Family and Friends
I Quit is a rallying cry for anyone facing a difficult situation―including two cancer diagnoses―to choose joy and faith and embrace humor to make the best of their experience.
There’s more to cancer than chemo and radiation. When she found herself diagnosed with brain cancer for the second time, Kristina Kotlus chose to quit on day one. But rather than meaning she gave up, her quitting meant getting a whole new lease on life. I Quit offers readers a chance to do the same. Inside, Kristina shares how she survived both diagnoses with the help of her family, friends, and faith in a relatable, funny way from her original diagnosis to finding doctors to telling her kids (hint: make someone else do it). She shares openly and honestly, with just a touch of sarcasm and a heavy dose of humor and faith and encourages readers to decide that it’s time to stand up, wash the tears off their face, and keep going.
It’s All In My Head: How to Survive a Brain Tumour and Find Peace of Mind
Jo’s real life story of feeling constantly dizzy and drunk for 4 months at the start of 2016, finally getting a MRI, and finding out she needed urgent brain surgery on a Hemangioblastoma (a benign blood vessel tumour) in her cerebellum. Written in the hope that her explaining how she felt both emotionally and the odd physical sensations that worried her, will support and help others who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, or anyone needing brain surgery. As well as inform their friends and family how they may feel and what may help them too. She also hopes that the total change in her belief system and realisations after will help anyone who is having to go through a health crisis or supporting a patient of any kind – that you can either look for the negative, or find the positive and the lessons in any situation.
Two Steps Forward: Embracing life with a brain tumor
Friday morning, 14 May 2010, Claire Snyman opens her eyes to find the room spinning around her, the light fixture dancing above. Then she develops her first migraine ever. What is this about? She must just be overdoing it at work.
As a busy marketing executive with a husband and young son, Claire is used to pushing her limits.
But it’s not too much work: it’s a rare non-malignant brain tumor. The diagnosis completely blindsides 34-year-old Claire and her family. Together they face the new reality of her condition while trying to navigate conflicting medical advice and cope with her new onset of symptoms.
Two Steps Forward opens the door on life with a brain tumor and life after brain surgery: the frustrations, challenges and successes. A brain tumor touches not only the person with the tumor, but also their loved ones.
In this compelling book, Claire documents her personal awakening as she learns to be her body’s own advocate through the often-harrowing journey of life with a brain tumor, her misdiagnosis and the brain surgery and recovery that followed.
As she slowly recovers, she comes to realize that life’s small delights are just as important to embrace, be grateful for and believe in. This inspirational story is told with honesty, clarity and revelation.
Two Steps Forward is an enlightening and compelling book for readers walking a similar path, but also for those facing a life-changing situation or for anyone looking for a positive and uplifting story.
Tallulah Tumour – Friend or Foe? A personal insight into a battle with a brain tumour
Fiona Goldsby has emerged triumphant from the terrifying experience of suffering a serious brain tumour. She found very little written material was available to help her in her battle, so she has written Tallulah Tumour, Friend or Foe? to help others dealing with a similar diagnosis. It is intended to provide information about what the patient may expect, with hints and tips to deal with the various side effects. The information in the book will not only be helpful to patients but to caregivers and family members. And as you may guess from the title, there is plenty of humour as well. Profits from sales of this book will be donated to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.
The Brain Tumour’s Wife
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse along comes a diagnosis that really hits you for six. This is the story told by the wife of the brain tumour patient showing exactly how such a terrible diagnosis has an effect on all areas of their lives and how having faith has helped get them through the toughest of times.
Learning To Dance In The Rain
‘Learning to dance in the rain’ follows on from where the inspirational biography, ‘You are my sunshine’ ended; we follow Anna’s journey and struggles in the aftermath of her brain surgery. The story takes a different path to her first book, as Anna tries to adjust to her new life, limited by her symptoms; her recovery is slow and rife with obstacles, she is then given some news which floors her and sets her recovery back even further. We see how her children, friends and family all rally round and support her through all of her battles with her health.
We see moments of sadness and moments of happiness, we are seeing the world and all of its ugliness and wonder through her eyes. We are taken on a expedition, over the many hurdles which she faces and we are treated to the joy and love which she receives from everyone around her. Despite facing many battles, she manages to remain positive and focussed on living a better life; going away as much as she could to balance out her life . We want her to come through it all, we feel her pain, we experience her optimism and we are mesmerized by her positivity and strength through-out. It is a truly inspirational memoir from someone who is trying to live her life as well as she can; reading this book will leave you wanting to fight for a better, more fulfilled life, for you and all your loved ones.
Reviews from Amazon, for the first book in the series, ‘You are my sunshine.’
‘A truly inspirational read, that illustrates a person’s suffering, trials and tribulations but still leaves you at the end of the book with a positive outlook on life, and feeling anything is achievable.’
‘Very inspirational great reading. Couldn’t put the book down.cant wait for the follow up book. Hope Anna is doing good.’
‘Inspirational read by Anna. Written with obvious passion for her family and friends who are helping her through her illness. Complete insight to how she is coping with her illness and the accomplishments she has achieved whilst fighting this battle. Remarkable lady!’
‘Anna’s bravery and determination to beat her condition is inspirational!
As a nurse and a mum I related with everything she said about her experiences and worry for her children! An amazing book and a must read. I will be expecting any student nurse who passes under me to read this and will highly recommend it as it gives all perspectives.
God bless Anna and the kids. Hoping for a happy ever after. ‘
‘Loved this book, very well written and I think will help anyone that is struggling with their health and trying to continue their day to day life.’
‘An honest and inspiring story that will make you laugh, cry and feel grateful for what you have and who you have around you. This story was a delight and sometimes difficult to read but the positive outlook Anna has on life and the support from all around her is just incredible. Can’t wait for the next one.’
Jon: A True Story of Love, Courage and faith
Jon Fredrickson was 16 when he started to complain of headaches and sickness. An eyesight test revealed the shocking news that he had developed a brain tumour. Over the months and years that followed Jon and his devoted family endured a roller-coaster ride of treatment and therapy, diagnosis and disappointment, until finally no more could be done for Jon, and he died at the age of only 26 with his devoted parents at his bedside. Jon’s illness did not prevent this brave young man from setting up home on his own, travelling around the country independently and embarking on a successful career. His mother Jacky kept a diary of her years of trial, and she has now developed it into this moving and inspiring book.
If You Love Me, Take Me Now
A truly remarkable love story of a family’s struggle with brain cancer. From the onset of symptoms through diagnosis and treatment, the author articulately chronicles events as they unfold. Fears and raw emotions will capture the reader and give them an insider’s view of a husband and wife’s struggle to stay alive. The odds against what happened to this family are incalculable.
Sickbed To Summits: The Story Of Triumph Over Adversity
When first diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma, like many others, Sara went straight to the internet. Finding seemingly endless accounts of surgery, often with permanent, unwanted side effects, she was determined to make the best of the hand she’d been dealt. Despite a number of serious complications, Sara has returned to living life to the full and beyond, embracing every opportunity and taking on numerous, seemingly impossible challenges. In Sickbeds to Summits Sara documents the ups and downs of life with a brain tumour diagnosis, and how through drive and determination, despite some tough side effects including fatigue, hearing loss, tinnitus, impaired vision and balance function, she has made it through treatment and beyond all expectations.
I hope you will be inspired by one or more of these books about fighting and surviving brain cancer or a brain tumour. Let us know in the comments if you have already read one of these books?
Related Posts:
Things I Have Learnt From My Brain Tumour Experience
11 Things You Need To Do If You Have Survived A Brain Tumour
