5 comments about Living With Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds.

1. Colon cancer doesn't receive the publicity devoted to other types of cancer, yet it's the third most common malignancy in the world and the second leading cause of death from cancer, aside from lung cancer. Living With Colon Cancer: Beating The Odds tells of the author's own battle against colon cancer, her survival after a terrible diagnosis, and how to cope with treatment and emotional highs and lows. Insights on what to expect and how to handle it are well done and very specific.



2. Colon cancer doesn't receive the publicity devoted to other types of cancer, yet it's the third most common malignancy in the world and the second leading cause of death from cancer, aside from lung cancer. Living With Colon Cancer: Beating The Odds tells of the author's own battle against colon cancer, her survival after a terrible diagnosis, and how to cope with treatment and emotional highs and lows. Insights on what to expect and how to handle it are well done and very specific.



3. Colon cancer doesn't receive the publicity devoted to other types of cancer, yet it's the third most common malignancy in the world and the second leading cause of death from cancer, aside from lung cancer. Living With Colon Cancer: Beating The Odds tells of the author's own battle against colon cancer, her survival after a terrible diagnosis, and how to cope with treatment and emotional highs and lows. Insights on what to expect and how to handle it are well done and very specific.



4. Colon cancer doesn't receive the publicity devoted to other types of cancer, yet it's the third most common malignancy in the world and the second leading cause of death from cancer, aside from lung cancer. Living With Colon Cancer: Beating The Odds tells of the author's own battle against colon cancer, her survival after a terrible diagnosis, and how to cope with treatment and emotional highs and lows. Insights on what to expect and how to handle it are well done and very specific.



5. Eliza certainly went through tough times through her illness both because of the US centric healthcare system, the less than first class medical professionals, as well as the treatments itself. Would not recommend this book for anyone actually having Colon Cancer.

5 comments about On Any Given Day.

1. Joe Martin and his family (family, friends and bank colleagues) are the greatest support system. Joe's life inspires, challenges and motivates all to do more. His will to live is refreshing, unbelievable given the impact of ALS on his body but not on his mind or spirit. For anyone facing disease, stress or looking for meaning, this is a must read.

   It's a quick read and doesn't leave you down -- but instead deals with a tough subject -- living with a terminal disease -- with reality and purpose. You will learn how "you can live like this"




2. I found this first person account co-authored by Joe Martin, who has ALS, very inspirational. Joe allows the reader to share his feelings of frustration as well as to grasp the depth of his convictions that life should be celebrated and cherished. Ross Yocke's commentary throughout the book provides an additional source of information which is helpful for the reader to gain perspective about Joe Martin's life with ALS. This short 178 page book pulls the reader into Joe Martin's reality, and allows the reader to share his religious and moral convictions, as well as to revel in his wonderful anecdots. This book reminds me of Tuesdays with Morrie. I hope others will enjoy reading On Any Given Day as much as I have.



3. Like another reviewer, I also have the pleasure of knowing Joe Martin. And while I knew of some of his remarkable achievements, I was astounded to read of many more. Like Joe, I have ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. He, and his book, have inspired me to live life with joy, love, purpose, hope and faith notwithstanding the ravages of this disease. His book, like Tuesdays With Morrie, should inspire anyone and everyone. But while Morrie spoke as a dying man, Joe, with the same terminal illness, speaks with the vitality of a man truly living life to the fullest.

   Laura Murphy Atlanta, Ga.




4. I cannot add much to the previous reviews-- all of with which I agree-- except this: Mr. Martin is, first and foremost, a writer. Indeed, he has ALS, and that is much of what he writes about here. But his lean, athletic style, keen observation and outstanding sense of humor would entice me to read router bit catalog copy, if Mr. Martin wrote it. I'm in search of his short story published in the Crescent Review (malcolm@walkaboutpress.org-- if anyone finds it first) and am hopeful he is at work on something else for us to enjoy and think about.



5. Mr. Martin's book is an inspirational and moving work for anyone to read, regardless of your position in life. If you've ever faced adversity, there is something to be learned about courage and optimism from this book. His candor, humor, and vision will inspire you and give you a sense of appreciation for this life we have. My mother is suffering from a degenerative disease, and this book gave me a new sense of perpective on what she and many others face as they battle each step of their disease. As a North Carolinian, I am proud that this brilliant writer and powerful soul is a leader for our community, and has been able to reach out and touch so many other lives. This book will make you cry, make you laugh, and most importantly, give you inspiration and appreciation for what you have.

5 comments about Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

1. Valerie and Ben are devastated when their then 2-year-old son was diagnosed with autism in addition to epilepsy. Ben has trouble accepting the diagnosis and in time the marriage dissolved.
   
   Instead of condemning Elijah to a life of labels and misperceptions about autism, Valerie Paradiz educated her small upstate New York community as well as the world at large in this book about her personal experiences with autism. Her son and father are both on the spectrum and this book is one of many that points out the genetic basis autism has.
   
   Elijah was enrolled in special programs from the age of three and his greatest progress is made at home and with a friend he and Valerie meet. Sharron, an independent artist is herself struggling with Asperger's, the spectrum partner to autism. She recognizes in Elijah similar traits and experiences she contends with and finally receives a diagnosis. She bonded immediately with the boy and was his regular sitter for some years.
   
   I like the way Valerie worked with Elijah; I like the way she taught him more appropriate ways of responding to peers, such as Trevor in the chess club. Trevor came away with empowered with knowledge and a chance to be more accepting of someone he sees as being "different" and Elijah understands what he can do to regulate his behaviors and move more comfortably in social circles.
   
   I like the conversations mother and son had; I also like the outdoor programs for people on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum that are described in the book. Best of all, having autism is CELEBRATED!
   
   I've banged on the different drum for a long time about how being on the a/A spectrum is something to celebrate. People on the spectrum have novel perceptions and unique insights that many neurotypical (NT) counterparts do not. One misperception is that people with autism all think in pictures, which simply is not true. Ben Levinson, co-author of "Finding Ben" and Sean Barron, co-author of "There's a Boy In Here" are not picture thinkers and neither are many other people on the a/A spectrum.
   
   Meltdowns due to sensory overload are not uncommon among the spectrum. Sadly, the NT world often looks askance at those on the a/A spectrum simply from a lack of understanding of what people with autism contend with on a routine basis. Elijah, for example would vomit during thunderstorms as the noise upset him. I like the way another reviewer said in re a/A, "Vive la difference!" Wave that banner of interlocking puzzle pieces proudly - autism is NOT something to be ashamed of having!
   
   Two songs seem to underscore this book so perfectly - Herman Kelly & Life's "Let's Dance to the Drummer's Beat" and Linda Ronstadt & the Stone Poneys 1968 song, "(Beat of a) Different Drum." With more drums beating, you get quite a tune! With more drums being beaten, you have different drummers!
   
   People on the a/A spectrum enrich the world tremendously. The contributions are NOT limited to Temple Grandin, Andy Warhol and Einstein and other public figures. People with autism also provide ample opportunity to learn acceptance and realize the world is for everybody and not just the NT population. All too often, people on the a/A spectrum are expected to make all the concessions, especially social concessions to the NT world and try to keep track of the Tacit Social Codes & Rules, which always seem to change at the whims of the NT world.
   
   Now let's all march to our different drummers.



2. This was one of the first books I read after discovering my son had Asperger's. Valerie Paradiz's insight, vulnerability, and unswerving truth have helped me every day in dealing with my children... The joys and miracles, and the difficult, difficult challenges. I truly love this book and recommend it for a strong understanding of the human side of asperger's an the challenges a family faces.



3. Elijah's Cup is not ony a superb read that I would recommend to all teachers of children but also an adventurous journey into what it is to be autistic as well as to have aspergers syndrome. Paradiz writes beautifully, bringing her story to life in graphic detail while informing her reader in a broad and comprehensive manner concerning both Autism and Aspergers. She has a comprehensive index, bibliography, and reference section that will be of help to many. Tasha Halpert



4. Thank you for this miracle of a book. This is a beautiful and honest story about a very special family. The author has done a huge service for the autism community with this exquisitely written work.



5. Upon completing Elijah's Cup I sat back and said "Wow". This is one powerful story of perseverance by a heroic mom and her son. Several things resonated while reading Paradiz's work, I'll mention just three of them here. Having a special needs child requires sacrifice and patience. Valerie exemplified what sacrifice and patience is all about spending countless hours with Elijah doing redundant activities such as repeating the same words over and over, trying on clown hats, filling balloons with helium and letting them go, and numerous other tedious activities that were essential for Elijah's growth. Taking care of her child meant that her personal career ambitions had to be put on hold indefinitely. This was especially challenging for a financially struggling mom.
   
   I found it especially interesting that at one point Valerie did have some work in the form of interpreting some of Albert Einstein's work from German to English. In doing this she learned many of the characteristics of Einstein that suggests he too was on the autism spectrum.
   
   In another anecdote that displayed courage Valerie had to defuse a situation that made another child very apprehensive in being near Elijah. Her management of the situation was commendable. The reader can really feel the stress of the moment as she states that when she walked away she was "shaking".
   
   Elijah's Cup is a very moving read. It is well written and additional resources regarding autism and other famous individuals on the spectrum such as Einstein and Andy Warhol are included. Highly recommended from a dad with two children on the spectrum.

1 comments about Asperger Syndrome - A Love Story.

1. This is a great book. It's funny and charming and honest. I love the bluntness that Kevin exhibits (even if we're just going to attribute it to AS.) For example:
   
   S: Darling, why won't you marry me?
   K: Because you might have an aberration and I might want
   to get rid of you. If we were married I would have to give
   you half my stuff, and I wouldn't want to do that.
   
   Ha ha ha! Awesome.

5 comments about The Best Seat in the House: How I Woke Up One Tuesday and Was Paralyzed for Life.

1. This book doesn't belong with all the somber "coping with illness" type of books. Allen Rucker's experience of the indignity and struggle of working in Hollywood alone is worth reading. After you commiserate with the dilemma that befalls Allen, and recognize how easily it could happen to any of us, anytime - we could take a nap one Tuesday and "wake up paralyzed for life" - the part that sticks with you is gratitude for the profound wake-up call you have received. It was hard to run after reading this book without thinking of Allen. Anyone who doesn't fully appreciate their body, or sees only the imperfections, will find that invaluable.
   
   After the book came out, Allen Rucker spoke at a Writers Guild press conference on diversity, responding to a UCLA study showing the low employment of minorities in film and TV. He reminded them that the disabled are by far the largest minority in America - 56 million - yet are invisible both on TV and in the report. Allen's book is paving the way for those over 50 who are feeling increasingly invisible and are waking up to the fact that unexpected things will happen to our bodies as we age, not many of them good, and provides an inspired blueprint for dealing with it.



2. Allen carries us through the deep interiors of emotional exhaustions, redemptions, and explorations of wrestling with a life-affirming, physical alteration. For this reason, the book and the man are close to my heart. He is clear with his words, direct in his perspective and his narrative. This story is an uncompromised one.
   
   Allen broadcasts his investigations of the more difficult and frustrating moments of his adult life. In the same breadth, he reveals the liberating ones, reminding us that our own personal narratives may not always progress linearly. Not everyone welcomes introspection with both repose and vigor. Allen does here, and in doing so, he proves that achievement is not necessarily charted with self-awareness, but with self-discovery.



3. Allen Rucker's book is an entertaining read, a poignant portrait of a man who learns life's most important and hard-to-face lessons in a brand-new body in his 50s, and a spot-on social commentary about the way people with disabilities are treated in this culture. The most compelling and memorable aspect of this book is the way it reveals, through wit, at times scathing sarcasm, clear observation, and a healthy dose of compassion, the way a man navigates a new life in a new body. At turns poignant, revealing, terrifying, and hysterically funny, the book has no false notes and reminds disabled and non-disabled readers alike that we are given one body and we don't know what its future in this world will be, despite our most carefully crafted plans. The scenes and insights in this book will resonate when you read them and stay with you long after you've finished the book. Bravo!



4. A truly amazing book - very well written. Allen Rucker's account of overcoming adversity is a great story of courage, bravery and perseverance. A must read for everyone!



5. Having just recently been told I will have to be in a wheelchair to save what is left of my legs due to polio, I was really interested in what this book had to say. I had read a review in the New Mobility magazine and it got my curiosity aroused. I ended up getting it from our local library and read it in almost one sitting! It seemed to strike a "nerve" with me - I just turned 53, having had a very busy and enjoyable life - built my own house, was a scuba diver, kayaker, bicyclist, raised two active boys, etc - then, as polio caught up to me, I am finding that I need to use more and more "help" to just get through the day. That was a very disturbing and somewhat depressing thought, to me. But, if I was going to make what I had left last for many more years, I knew I had to do it. So, I am moving into a wheelchair, using hand controls on my van, using a crutch all the time, etc. It was a bummer, in my mind. Then, along comes Allen's book and my mind was turned upside down! I found a kindred spirit in Allen, and just loved his sense of humor, his somewhat acerbic wit, and his learning to look beyond the terrible things that his body had done to him and focus on the positive things. Yes, it is not always positive, and he made that very clear, but there are ways to look at just about everything that make it easier or funnier or reflective. I found myself cheering for him when he made those "steps" of discovery - dealing with his work, his house, his wife, his mother-in-law (I was crying laughing!), his kids, his bitterness, his anger. I bought this book because I know that I will read it again and I have recommended it to many of my walking friends, as well - we all have disabilities, in one way or another, and learning to live with them is a great lesson. Allen Rucker has done that and has described a way that worked for him and will work for many others -

5 comments about The Music of Silence: A Memoir.

1. Andrea Boccelli's memoir is a must for those who want to enter the world of the blind, and learn firsthand the hardships of being blind. Andrea's book is written in a childlike manner, with the passion for the written word that he displays in his singing. If you want to get a glimpse at this superstar this book is a must! Easy reading, sweet, and passionate!



2. Actually, I found the child-like manner in which this is written to be a stumbling block. Perhaps in Italian it would flow better, but I didn't find it an easy read in English. Sometimes I felt like I was stealing a look into a teen's private diary.
   
   That said, I greatly admire Bocelli's voice and his struggle to share his beautiful gift with the world. I would love to meet this humble but sincere man and hope one day to have the privilege of hearing him in person.



3. I Love Andrea Bocelli.His voice is so Beautiful.Anyone who feels like I do should read this book.It is absolutely Wonderful.It shows no matter what the obstacles are that you face that you can become what God desires you to be.



4. This book was well interpreted and gives beautiful and interesting insight into the upbringing of my favorite performer.



5. This was an incredible book. From laughter to tears, and all of the emotions in between. Most inspiring read and very touching.

4 comments about Look Up for Yes.

1. Those who weap because they have no shoes should meet this woman who has no feet, no hands, no voice, no normalcy. And yet she greets the day with poetry and refuses -- against odds few people could bear -- to loosen her grip on reality, on the future, on hope. Where some autobiographical writers might seek our pity, Julia demands our respect. Where some labor to generate tears, Julia aims to generate cheers -- and at times outbursts of profanity. Her story is a fast, easy-to-follow read packed with flashbacks, present-day tales and, the most essential element of all, hope



2. A nurse recommended the book to my sister. She said it changed the way she treats patients. My sister read it in one afternoon. It makes you think and reminds you to count your blessings!



3. I thought that the book was exelent and that Julia could have talked more about her family and more about Goldwater. Overall she did a fantastic job at writing this book.



4. This book was recommended to my by the teacher of my CNA class in Fort Collins, CO. It was a very moving book... After being a CNA for 6 years now, I was finally able to read it. It refreshed my purpose and drive for going to nursing school. This woman truely has drive!

5 comments about Exiting Nirvana: A Daughter's Life with Autism.

1. I read an excerpt of this book in Harper's magazine before I found the book itself and was mesmerized by the account of living with an autistic child - written by of the parent of one. It is clear that Clara Claiborne Park, the mother of Jessy Park, has also tried to understand her daughter's perceptions of the world, at least as much as any non-autistic person can, and to reveal that world to "outsiders" (those with no first-hand experience being with an autistic person). She has done an admirable job. I've read quite a bit about autism and autistic children and this book ranks among the best. In addition to her own feelings, Jessy's mother uses Jessy's own quotations and poems to try and help others understand her daughter's world. Like another relatively well-knonw autistic, Temple Grandin, Jessy is a "high-functioning" autistic. She can hold down a job, she has had art exhibitions of her drawings and she attended school for many years. Still, her world is far from what most of us would call normal and her social interactions with people outside her family are still rather limited. She has trouble with unexpected changes in her usual routine and she has never fallen in love, at least not with another person. She sees the world in minute detail in some areas, creating drawings that are extemely precise and accurate, and yet fails to grasp the subtle nuances of social give and take, the emotional vocabulary so many of us take for granted. What I found particularly fascinating about this book was the way it changed my perspective about what normalcy is. If you read this book, would strongly recommend getting a look at Jessy's drawings wometime, whether at an exhibition or however else you may find them (perhaps searching down that back issue of Harpers; wish I remembered the issue off the top of my head). Her drawings of routine objects, particularly houses, are striking for their attention to detail and a shimmering vibrant sense of color that goes beyond simple copying of what is in front of her eyes. I wish I could see the world as she does for just one day, not because it would be better than the way I see the world now, not because I have any romantic illusions that the autistic leads a charmed life (no one reading this book could feel that way) but because I would like to know what that world was like, in all its beauty, pain and alienation.



2. This is a wonderful sequel to her earlier book, The Siege. I enjoyed being able to follow her daughter's life and see how it all turned out. Clara Park writes about her daughter with so much love and insight into all the positives and negatives of raising a challenged child/woman. Yet she so clearly admits there is so much they will never understand. I would have liked to have seen more written about how the rest of the family interacts with Jessy - the focus is somewhat narrow. Recommended for any parent or person that works with others with any type of disability. This book will heighten your sensitivity!



3. Clara Claiborne Park describes her daughter Jessy, an autistic woman in her 40's and discusses how her daughter has changed in the years since she wrote The Siege: A Family's Journey into the World of an Autistic Child, which ended when Jessy was 8. The book is an eloquent argument for the education of autistic children, and a detailed glimpse into the family life of an autistic person. Park describes different aspects of their life in a matter-of-fact manner-- no whining or victimhood here. Her love of Jessy is obvious, and there is no complaining, but it becomes obvious through the descriptions of Jessy's behavior and personality that their life has been difficult. It's also obvious how well Jessy has been cared for and loved. It's refreshing to read this book because the Park family just seems so, so good, and that's unusual to come across these days.Parks is a great writer-- the book is intelligent and readable. I'd recommend this book for any family with an autistic child, and for anyone who is just interested in thinking about how love, personality, and intelligence relate



4. Existing Nirvana: a daughter's life with autism, by Clara Claiborne Park, is a book about Jessy, the author's daughter, growing up with autism. Although it would seem to be hard growing up with autism, rather than focusing on the negative, Park shares the story of her daughter focusing on her differences from `normal' people in society and stressing the remarkable progress Jessy has made despite her abnormalities. This progress has allowed her to mentally and socially move more and more from her own world, `Nirvana', into the world in which everyone else operates. By giving an account of Jessy's life, the reader becomes more aware of the disability and its characteristics. The book focuses on they way individuals with autism think and even their speech. The speech portion of the story is more focused on Jessy specifically because her speech was worse than most individuals with autism. Park uses journals and pictures Jessy has drawn to looking deeper into her speech, thought process, portraits, and her current living. Through these different aspects, the reader becomes enlightened on the type of characteristics that define autism.
   One of the many strengths of Exiting Nirvana is that readers receive an accurate account of autism by the specific analysis of the way individuals with this disability think and respond to situations. In addition to this, it shows the possible personal growth from childhood to adulthood of someone with autism. One of the weaknesses is that Park does not focus on Jessy's negative qualities. Although they are not totally ignored, the book idealizes autism by continually expressing Jessy's happiness. "She is still happy. I can't think of another woman in her forties who is more content with who she is, less likely to question how she lives or what she does" (Park, 9). The struggle of having a child who is autistic is not emphasized to the extent that it probably exists. This is partially because Jessy has showed so much improvement as she has grown up. Besides the idealism of the parenting necessary with autistic children, Exiting Nirvana is a great book to learn more about autism and the impossible improvements by looking at an actual person's life.



5. Exiting Nirvana" is a mother's account of her autistic daughter, Jessy, and Jessy's life from her teens until the time the book was was published, when Jessy was in her early 40s. I found that the way the chapters of the book were presented was a little bit odd. Instead of starting with Jessy's teens and moving forward, showing her progress that way, the author divides the chapters into aspects of Jessy's behavior and life: i.e., the way Jessy talks and the ways she thinks. I found that some of the chapters seemed to be haphazardly written. Ideas didn't seem to flow easily from one paragraph to the next and were hard to follow. The author spent a lot of time discussing Jessy's obsession with numbers and this portion was especially confusing. I wasn't sure exactly what point the author was trying to get across...other than the fact that Jessy was obsessed with numbers and tended to look at the world that way. Later chapters, however, were quite well written, and I think the author had easier time discussing Jessy's life when Jessy herself was easier for the author to understand.

   In many ways I thought the book was too short. I wanted to know more about Jessy, particularly about how she interacted with her father and her siblings, which the author barely touches on. We know that Jessy has siblings, but how Jessy fit in with them and interacted with them is rarely mentioned. There is a brief mention of Jessy moving the family cat's water dish, but that was the only clue that the family had any pets, so I was also left wondering how Jessy interacted with the family's pets.

   However, I do think that "Exiting Nirvana" is helpful in understanding the way an autistic mind works, and is an interesting read for that alone.

5 comments about Bald in the Land of Big Hair: A True Story.

1. I read this book because I asked my fiance to bring me any book from the library and he picked this one because he thought I'd like it...and the reality is that YES I DID LIKE IT.
   
   "Bald in the land of big hair" is a very very good, inspiring and hilarious book. The mix is just perfect.
   
   Joni Rodgers tells us about her life and the huge impact on her life when she discovered she had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This book really touched me in many ways...I never thought someone could find a way to write about the combination of tragedy and humor like Rodgers did...she just makes us see her journey thorugh cancer and how she survived it.
   
   We all know (or at least have a idea) of how horrible chemo is.....Although nobody knows its effects that well as someone who has been through it...but at least we heard horrible things and Joni just found a way to express us how she suffered but in a sarcastic-funny way...which takes a lot of courage..especially when you talk about something as scary as having cancer.
   
   Joni Rodgers also tells us about the conflicts with her kids...the way they reacted toward their mom's condition; the feeling of being a bald woman that screams out cancer; the mental and physical strugle, the relationship with her husband, etc.
   
   This is a great book. I REALLY recommend it. This book has a meaning for cancer survivors, cancer victims and those who suffer with someone close who has cancer...my grandma has cancer but she chose not to have chemo because of the scary effects of it...
   
   Anyway get Bald in the land of big hair...even if you are neither of the people I said...get this book...it gives you a insight into what cancer victims deal with.
   
   vgxoxo@hotmail.com



2. This is one of the best books I have read lately. It's definitely not a cancer-as-slapstick memoir. Joni Rodgers got horribly sick, could have died, and she pulls no punches as this book surveys the physical, emotional and financial wreckage.
   
   Yet she weaves laugh-out-loud passages into her story, which also resonates with tough spirituality, honest frustrations and fears, and love. Lots of love.
   
   I'm buying an extra copy, to pass along when I think someone could benefit from reading it. I want to hang on to a copy, though. There are things I can learn from reading it again. Things I wish I wouldn't need to think about, but for the sad fact that someone I know is likely to be diagnosed with cancer in the future. Maybe with Joni Rodgers' book under my belt I can feel less helpless and find something useful to do for them.



3. Rodgers writes this book from a Christian perspective, but as a Christian I was offended by the language and explicit nature of this book. She explains love making early in her chemotherapy treatment, and discusses the smell and taste of body fluids in explicit detail. This part was at the beginning portion of the book; I finished the book, and found this to be the most offensive bit. Negative attitude and raw language were scattered throughout, however.
   
   This being said, Rodger's story is an honest, provoking one. Her story is interesting and useful. The reader just needs to understand that, as a Christian book, this has some very offensive, unnecessary language.



4. Perhaps I'm just very sensitive to the topic of cancer and general, and despite the fact I realize humor has it's place in cancer treatment, as well as treatment of the whole person, I did find offense to a few aspects of this book. The author obviously has dealt with this trial first hand and knows the importance of tactfulness in such situations, however I felt saddened by it at times and wonder if it would also sadden a newly diagnosed cancer victim.
   
   I would recommend this book for someone that has a good support group, knows the monster they are dealing with, and is strong enough and ready for humor.



5. Bald in the Land of Big Hair is the autobiography of a woman named Joni Rodgers. She was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994. The novel takes place in Houston, TX where she and her husband Gary currently live with their two children, Malachi and Jerusha. The title of the book stems from this location. Everything is bigger in Texas, including hair, but as Joni undergoes extensive chemo-therapy to rid her body of cancer, she soon discovers herself struggling to find a wig that will conceal her balding head. But Rodgers is not soliciting pity. Every page is filled with wit, despite the novel's depiction of a horrible disease that strikes a seemingly innocent mother. With raw emotions of anger and honesty Joni Rodgers presents a cancer story that the everyday person can comprehend. And she motivates others to face whatever it is that life throws at them.
   
   Throughout the novel, Rodgers flaunts her attitude and behaves like any human would in her situation. At the same time she is informative concerning her disease and the treatments/side-effects that go along with it. She describes her cancer as:
   My cells were having a big ol' party all right. They'd turned my lymph nodes into brothels and pool halls and Casino Royales. Tiny tasseled bimbo cells were jumping out of cakes and lap dancing for beer-bellied, cigar-smoking lymphocytes who tucked dollar bills into garter belts around their nuclei. (9)
   Her son simply states, "Cancer is what happens when your cells decide to go funky" (251). This is not a research biologist's journal of cellular genetics, but rather a description for the general public. The readers learn of her symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, itchiness, and back pain while she makes fun of the doctor's indecipherable cancer jargon. Rodgers also does a superb job of illustrating the processes and adverse effects of chemotherapy. The nausea, the hair loss, the chemicals and needles all prompt Rodgers to state, ". . . why is chemo-therapy like a vacuum cleaner? Because it sucks" (175). Her realistic approach allows the reader to understand what cancer does to a person's body from a compatible perspective.
   
   Overall, I feel that this novel opened my eyes to the emotional side of cancer. The personal and comical language led me into Joni Rodgers' world where I was enlightened on how cancer makes a person feel both mentally and physically. Although she refrains from entirely extraneous terminology, Rodgers incorporates and describes many significant cancer terms that added depth to my biological knowledge of the disease as well. Because I have thankfully not had to go through what Joni Rodgers has it is hard for me to empathize with her, but she receives my admiration. After all that she has endured, Joni Rodgers is able to maintain an encouraging mind-set. Towards the end of the novel she states, "I advocate life. I recommend joy. I endorse forgiveness, and I suggest you seek until you find whatever it is you need. . . one way or another, all things come to their healing" (252-253). These words of inspiration motivate the reader to live life no matter what happens because it won't always be good. This is a powerful truth in our society, and it takes a valiant person like Joni Rodgers to endorse it.

1 comments about Asperger Syndrome And Social Relationships: Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome (Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome Series).

1. This book sure helps you to strengthen not only your knowledge but strategies of how to cope with your Asperger Syndrome and social lives. So I'd like to recommend this especially to those who remain undiagnosed as AS and bogged down in cruel reality; they may find their unexpected AS symptoms they had never recognized before! It is as if they could finally get out of a long tunnel. And they will get a chance to know themselves objectively.
   Certainly, AS itself won't disappear for the rest of Aspies' lives, where they may feel distant and different from society. However, I'm sure they will make the best use of their own pros of AS!