A survivor's story
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Louis Whitehead was 21 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. The disease took almost two years out of his life, where all he could focus on was his battle towards recovery. In this book, he chronicles his struggle with the illness; from the first symptoms begin to show up, through diagnosis, treatment, and finally his complete recovery. The book provides a detailed account of the steps involved in battling this life-threatening disease, including chemotherapy, irradiation, and a bone-marrow transplant, followed by a long recovery period that is both physically and emotionally exhausting. The book is mostly factual and descriptive in its writing style, but Whitehead also touches on his spiritual strength and never wavering belief that he will survive, as well as the support from family and friends that helps him pull through the ordeal. He also discusses his experiences with lengthy hospitals stays and medical staff. Many are helpful and caring, but there are others who seem to forget that they are dealing with human beings and tend to treat patients as "cases," leaving the patient feeling lost and lonely in his quest for recovery.
Whitehead's book should be helpful reading for anyone going through a similar illness, or for people whose loved ones are suffering from cancer. It gives the reader a thorough understanding of the steps involved in the battle with leukemia and shows that it is possible to come out on the other side with health and spirits intact
