“Healing with Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey” by Diana M. Raab
Description
Healing With Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey is a memoir and self-help book highlighting Diana’s cancer journey. In 2001 at the age of forty-seven, happily married and the mother of three, she was diagnosed with early breast cancer and five years later, diagnosed by seemingly unrelated and incurable blood cancer—multiple myeloma. The book candidly chronicles in a wry and inspirational tone, her experiences, using reflection, poetry and journal entries. At the end of each chapter writing prompts and blank journaling pages are provided for readers to express their own personal story. The book also contains extensive appendices with support organization and writing tips.
Raab considers journaling to be like a daily vitamin—healing, detoxifying and essential for optimal health. Since early childhood, Raab has found solace in writing after her mother gave her a journal to cope with the loss of her beloved grandmother. In lieu of allowing cancer to destroy and take over her life, she has gracefully embraced the experience and views it as a positive turning point in her life.
Readers will learn to:
- Understand the importance of early cancer detection and how to take control of their own health
- Discover the power of writing to release bottled-up emotions
- Learn how the process of journaling can facilitate healing
- See how a cancer diagnosis can be a riveting event which can renew and change a person in a unique way
About the Author
Diana M. Raab, MFA, RN was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1954 and received her undergraduate degree in Health Administration and Journalism in 1976. A few years later she received her RN degree. After 25 years as a medical and self-help writer, she’s directed her creative energy towards nonfiction and memoir writing.
She is the author of eight books. Her most recent release, Healing With Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey (2010) is a memoir/self-help book which includes reflections, experiences, journal entries and poems all emphasizing the healing power of writing. In addition to extensive appendices, each chapter finishes with blank pages and journaling prompts for the reader to write about their own experiences. To learn more about Dianna Raab, please visit her website. You can also listen to an audio interview with the author here.
My Thoughts
I am not sure if anyone can truly understand what someone with cancer is going through, unless you have experienced it first hand. Over the summer, our family recently found out that my step mother has breast cancer. My heart aches every time we speak, because all I want to do is give her a hug and tell her everything will be alright. We live a few states away from one another, and with time/money/children, it seems almost impossible for us to visit. When I read this book, it truly helped me understand what my stepmother has had to go through…from having a mammogram to getting a biopsy.
This book was educational, empowering, and inspirational. Raab’s journey was written with so much care, and I really enjoyed the writing prompts throughout. As a writer myself, I know that it does help once you share your most inner thoughts and feelings – even if it is just YOU reading the words. I cannot imagine finding out I had cancer, fighting it, winning and then getting cancer again.
Finally, although this book is written for the cancer patient, I believe anyone with any ailment could use her steps and advice to promote healing physically and emotionally. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing help with healing and a positive way to get their life back on track.
To learn more about this book, you can visit the author’s website, find it on Facebook, and/or purchase it at your favorite online store, such as Amazon.
Now for the give away…TWO Frugal Fabulous Finds readers will WIN a copy of the book “Healing with Words ~ A Writer’s Cancer Story”.
There are TWO mandatory things you must do:
1. Enter your name/email address in the giveaway form below (for each entry), so that I can contact you!
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***Very Important: All of your entries MUST be entered into the giveaway form below, or they will not count towards winning!***
This giveaway will end Thursday, November 17th at midnight. The winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter.com and will be announced Friday, November 18th! Good luck!
Post published by Melissa Roach, our Product Review & Giveaway Specialist.
Melissa is a Full Time Mom & Blogger HERE (please check out her blog!)
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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