Stronger Than Before: Take Charge of Your Healing to Survive and Thrive with Breast Cancer

Description

A much-needed book for the modern readership, providing support and guidance for every stage of the breast cancer journey, written by a breast-cancer survivor. Stronger Than Before is a roadmap for breast cancer patients to help them understand their illness and a wide range of available treatments-not just traditional treatment. It offers the first complete guide to supporting yourself through the process- physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Divided into three parts, this book is the self-care bible for breast cancer, written by a breast cancer survivor. Part One introduces readers to the language of their illness, explaining the different types and stages of their diagnosis, and outlines the standard treatments they are likely to be offered, as well as the alternatives. It reminds readers that even though it is a frightening time, they have choices and can take charge of their healing. This section also includes practical tips on asking doctors the right questions and dealing with the stress of hospital visits. Part Two looks at the illness as a transformative journey, exploring the breast cancer personality and how to start unravelling unhelpful emotional patterns and behaviours. It introduces the idea of cancer as systemic disease and outlines ways to return your body into balance, including dietary options, addressing toxic load, exercise, supportive therapies, and dealing with a body changed by treatment. Readers will learn how to manage their emotional bandwidth while in treatment, how to stay calm when fear takes hold, and self-soothing practices to manage their moods. Finally, and most importantly, readers will learn how to create meaning from this experience, to live more soulfully, and find their purpose - discovering the potential for post-traumatic growth within the illness. Part Three explores life after breast cancer, covering reconstruction, an anti-cancer lifestyle to prevent recurrence, and how to leave the identity of a patient behind and move into a post-cancer mindset. There's advice for family and friends too, in a chapter that offers them help on what and what not to say to a loved one going through treatment, along with gift ideas and ways to offer support. This is a practical holistic handbook for every stage of an illness. Wherever the reader, or their loved one, is on that journey, it has helpful information, advice, tips, and techniques to surviving and thriving stronger than before.

Alison Porter is a journalist, coach, and interfaith minister. Previously a spin doctor, Alison had a long career in PR, which included running the international press office for the Channel Tunnel from first breakthrough to the royal opening, and working as Publicity Director for Element Books. Stronger Than Before is the culmination of her life as a writer, coach, spiritual counsellor, and breast cancer patient. In all her work, Alison searches for meaning, purpose, and transformation, and her professional and personal experiences allow her to offer a healing roadmap that empowers women through self-care.

"Beautifully written, deeply moving. A go-to book if you find your world turned upside down after a diagnosis of breast cancer." -Sara Davenport, founder of Breast Cancer Haven and author of Reboot Your Health