Complete Idiot's Guide to Living with Breast Cancer - Softcover

How do we know about these folks? We're two of them. We're survivors who have been through the surgeries and through the treatments, and our battle scars have left us with a keen sense of empathy. We firmly believe that nobody should have to face breast cancer alone. Ever. So as we put words to paper, we visualized an in-print support group -- messages from breast cancer survivors who shared their stories and offered the 20/20 vision of hindsight. Some have carried the victory flag for 20 years or more; others are still in the battlefield, reporting from the front lines. And trust us when we say that these front-line warriors fight with a courage and determination that have humbled us day after day.

If you've found yourself drafted in the war against breast cancer -- or know someone who is -- this book offers the support you need, from the first hint of a lump or suspicious mammogram through surgery and treatment and on to follow-up for the rest of your life.

In short, we'll be there to get you through all the battles, with hugs and cookies from home. May your battles be short and your victory sweet.

But this book goes beyond the basics to attend to those dozens of details you'll face before, during, and after surgery and/or treatment. We'll help you through the emotional turmoil, family and financial issues, decisions about treatments (what they are, what they do, and what side effects they can cause), controversies over breast reconstruction versus prostheses, surgery's effects on personal appearance and clothing choices, changing priorities, and the risk of recurrence. Finally, we'll suggest ways you can make positive contributions, volunteering support for others new to the battlefield and committing to advocacy issues to someday bring an end to this terrible disease.