|
Bosom Buddies:
|
|
|
How to Laugh (and Cry) Through Breast Cancer
by Ruth Ebenstein
Diagnosed with breast cancer while nursing her baby, Ruth Ebenstein feared that she would die. Lumpectomy scars still healing, she joined an Israeli-Palestinian breast cancer support group, hoping to find something "good" in cancer. She found wonderful: Ibtisam Erekat, a Muslim Palestinian woman whom she calls kin. Ruth models how we can conquer the lines that divide us and how we can transform darkness into light.
This book’s optimistic premise spells out a robust message: You can get through this. There will be tears, "why-did-this-happen-to-me"s, and even some unexpected laughs along the way. But the bottom line is that you are going to make it—and thrive.
This empowering take-home lesson for the breast cancer patient and for her loved ones is woven through the pages of this uplifting and witty memoir. Award-winning journalist and writer Ruth Ebenstein relays her journey through “breastcancerland” with candor and mirth, beginning with a diagnosis at age 42 while nursing her baby on what turned out to be her cancerous left breast.
Mindful of the fact that the body heals faster than the psyche, the author struggles to find her signature way of coping with cancer. And for Ruth, that method is knowledge-equals-control. Drawing on raw emotion, she writes with insight and intimacy about surgery and recovery, radiation, genetic testing, and medical menopause (induced by breast-cancer medicines). She also shares how she navigates the concomitant emotional rollercoaster with the help of her family and friends, dance therapist, and support groups. Not only about cancer, this penetrating account celebrates life, prompting the reader to explore how tackling adversity helps us understand who we are in the world, what we hope to accomplish, and how we affect the people closest to us. Ruth’s story of courage and humor is the perfect gift for anyone in treatment for breast cancer.
This book’s optimistic premise spells out a robust message: You can get through this. There will be tears, "why-did-this-happen-to-me"s, and even some unexpected laughs along the way. But the bottom line is that you are going to make it—and thrive.
This empowering take-home lesson for the breast cancer patient and for her loved ones is woven through the pages of this uplifting and witty memoir. Award-winning journalist and writer Ruth Ebenstein relays her journey through “breastcancerland” with candor and mirth, beginning with a diagnosis at age 42 while nursing her baby on what turned out to be her cancerous left breast.
Mindful of the fact that the body heals faster than the psyche, the author struggles to find her signature way of coping with cancer. And for Ruth, that method is knowledge-equals-control. Drawing on raw emotion, she writes with insight and intimacy about surgery and recovery, radiation, genetic testing, and medical menopause (induced by breast-cancer medicines). She also shares how she navigates the concomitant emotional rollercoaster with the help of her family and friends, dance therapist, and support groups. Not only about cancer, this penetrating account celebrates life, prompting the reader to explore how tackling adversity helps us understand who we are in the world, what we hope to accomplish, and how we affect the people closest to us. Ruth’s story of courage and humor is the perfect gift for anyone in treatment for breast cancer.
About the Author
|
Ruth Ebenstein is an award-winning journalist, writer, historian, and health/peace activist. Born in California and reared in Michigan, she moved to Jerusalem days after she graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She has lived there ever since.
Inspired to share the story of this cross-cultural friendship, Ruth started a career in public speaking in 2014. She has presented to more than 50 organizations: churches, synagogues, schools, Muslim groups, medical conferences, interfaith groups, business breakfasts, women’s groups, Hadassah, Israel Bonds, Jewish Federation. In December 2015, Ruth and Ibtisam presented together at the U.S. Department of State, and Ruth has been invited to speak there again in June 2016. She has had numerious speaking tours across the US. Ruth recently joined the Triage Cancer’s Speakers Bureau. Ruth’s story has been covered by BBC TV (translated into Spanish, Arabic, Persian, and Portuguese) and BBC Radio, NPR, The Atlantic, Alhurra TV, Brigitte Woman, and many other media outlets. Her uplifting message: Building personal relationships tears down the anxiety, prejudice and fear created by borders and boundaries. |
Photo Credit: Yitz Woolf
