Been There, Done That by Amor Y. Traceski: Practical Tips &Wisdom from Cancer Survivors for Cancer Patients. #cancer #cancersurvivors #cancerpatients

Bless you Amor for allowing me to hang onto your book for all this time.

Amor is a friend, a very wise one and she has been very patient with me.

My husband passed from cancer several years ago and it has taken me this long to write a review for a book that should be owned by every cancer survivor, cancer patient, and the loved ones that surround them. There is no time limit on this book. I struggled to read Been There, Done That because I thought it would bring back memories I'd rather forget. Instead, Been There, Done That, affirmed the strength my husband had as he navigated his journey and the courage it required for me and my children to walk next to him.  

I was blessed and had my kids who helped and supported me though that difficult time. I know it is said that people will rise to the occasion, but I'm not sure I could have done it alone. As our anniversary approaches in just a few days, I thought now would be the time to do my review. Even though he is not here to share our anniversary with me, his love stays close. It has been five years, and I still think of him every day. 

Amor is a two-time cancer survivor who was born and raised in an international community in Taiwan, where the Dominican nuns engrained into her the vast importance of being the personification of her name, Amor, meaning love in many languages. 

I spent an afternoon with her, and I can attest that yes, she lives up to her name. 

Been There, Done That: Practical Tips & Wisdom from Cancer Survivors for Cancer Patients is, first and foremost, an HONEST, true-to-life book. It contains detailed, first-hand information of cancer experiences from 19 brave and amazing cancer survivors, some of whom survived multiple cancers and even metastasis. The survivor's range in age from 21 to 91, with cancer backgrounds covering cancers of the blood & bone marrow (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), breast (triple negative & triple positive, included), colon, kidney, ovaries, pancreas, prostate, rectum, salivary glands and soft tissue sarcoma and skin.

Been There, Done That is a deeply personal collection of advice, gratefulness, and courage you can hold fast to while participating in the journey.  Tracesky emphasizes that patients are not passive participants in their treatment. That it is important for the cancer patient to participate in the healing process both mentally and physically.  In addition, it is not just the patient who recovers, but family and friends as well.  

The contributors to her book span multiple generations and backgrounds. Each offers their journey as a guidepost for others to find their way.  You and/or your loved one will read the stories of those who have survived multiple cancers and/or metastasis. My sister-in-law has survived three so yes, it does happen and there is always hope.  You will learn ways to cope during the profound fear, uncertainty, and psychological toll of cancer.  What I would have given for a book such as this to keep me company during those long, lonely nights.  

Cancer is an adjustment to anyone's lifestyle. Been There, Done That offers strategies that survivors and their families can follow to enable fruitful communication with their healthcare team. There are diets to follow, exercise routines, family, friend, and emotional supports to put into place.  

There is so much information in Been There, Done That, that it is impossible to list each one. The book is about support through the eyes of real-world cancer survivors. Hope, determination, and tenacity abound. The book is a compelling and helpful guide through the roadmaps of cancer, and I highly recommend Been There, Done That to anyone navigating the journey.​