8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer
Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients
and Those Who Love Them
“I would recommend 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer to all people struggling with cancer: victims, survivors, caregivers, family members, and health providers.” Katie Kinzer — Licensed Outpatient Therapist, Nostrum & Associates, Ltd., St. Cloud, MN
"I found 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer insightful from both the patient’s and doctor’s perspective. Under the umbrella of the Holy Spirit, Marianne caters to the spirit, soul, and mind of the cancer patient. Her journey shows it is the beginning—the dawn—of this life’s chapter.”
Charles Bryz-Gornia — MD, Ob/Gyn
“8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer will be valued by many readers. It is so good! This book will be a real help to thousands.”
Rev. Roger Kuhn — National Pastor of Member Care and Director of Church Relations, International Ministerial Fellowship
I wrote 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer, because, in 2012 during my first bout, I couldn't find anything geared specifically to the newly-diagnosed patient, much less my beloved family members who were hurting with me. Cancer is brutal to all involved!
Every day my mind functioned like a Whac-a-Mole board. So many questions! I'd start to answer one, and another would pop up. Meanwhile, my emotions veered from disempowerment to anger to confusion and so many others. Decisions, stress, mortality? So many dilemmas, and, possibly, not a lot of time.
When I stepped into survivorship, I realized I wanted to share what I learned. So I divided my first book into eight chapters (steps) to coincide with the hard questions I had asked myself, such as:
What do I know about cancer and believe to be true about myself as a cancer patient?
How should I interact and relate to my family, friends, and medicall providers?
How do I evaluate and choose the best treatment protocols?
What do I believe about my own mortality?
Where is God in all of this?
What am I afraid of?
How do I deal with all the stress? Cancer reeks of stress!
Do I dare hope for a future? Will I ever be "normal" again?
My oncology center's instructions warned that people who don't address and communicate their emotions and concerns are likely to experience substantial depression post treatment. I understand that it's tempting to bury all those kinds of things for whatever reason (personality, not wanting to burden others, feeling awkward about being "selfish") but, as odd as it may feel, you are your number one concern right now. I hope this book will help guide you through a strong treatment and prepare you for a healthy recovery and survivorship!
Every day my mind functioned like a Whac-a-Mole board. So many questions! I'd start to answer one, and another would pop up. Meanwhile, my emotions veered from disempowerment to anger to confusion and so many others. Decisions, stress, mortality? So many dilemmas, and, possibly, not a lot of time.
When I stepped into survivorship, I realized I wanted to share what I learned. So I divided my first book into eight chapters (steps) to coincide with the hard questions I had asked myself, such as:
What do I know about cancer and believe to be true about myself as a cancer patient?
How should I interact and relate to my family, friends, and medicall providers?
How do I evaluate and choose the best treatment protocols?
What do I believe about my own mortality?
Where is God in all of this?
What am I afraid of?
How do I deal with all the stress? Cancer reeks of stress!
Do I dare hope for a future? Will I ever be "normal" again?
My oncology center's instructions warned that people who don't address and communicate their emotions and concerns are likely to experience substantial depression post treatment. I understand that it's tempting to bury all those kinds of things for whatever reason (personality, not wanting to burden others, feeling awkward about being "selfish") but, as odd as it may feel, you are your number one concern right now. I hope this book will help guide you through a strong treatment and prepare you for a healthy recovery and survivorship!
Reviews
27th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
by Judge
Reviewed: December 2019
8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them by Marianne McDonough
This succinct book is written from the perspective of a cancer survivor to someone who has been newly diagnosed. It is crafted with care, empathy, and expertise—like walking a dark path with someone who has been there before, and knows the ins and outs of the bends and curves ahead.
Marianne C. McDonough does an excellent job conveying what a patient can expect when newly diagnosed, while also offering hope and positivity. She gets real about the disheartening journey ahead without succumbing to endless fear and worry.
The author’s voice is clear and warm. The is a perfect companion book for anyone walking the path of a recent cancer diagnosis; it’s also a beneficial read for partners, family members, and close friends to be able to understand the perspective and what lies ahead.
I personally love how the author breaks down common cancer myths and rebuts them with truths—the perfect way to find clarity and focus in the midst of a lot of fear mongering and misinformation.
by Christine Canfield
Reviewed: November 4, 2016
8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them by Marianne McDonough
This book is an excellent choice for anyone involved in the cancer journey, from patients and their families to friends and medical staff.
The first few weeks after a cancer diagnosis can feel like complete chaos. A kaleidoscope of emotions whirls around a core feeling of shock, and the volume of incoming information can be overwhelming. In 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer, Marianne C. McDonough gives practical and compassionate advice that shows how being honest and adopting a “survivor’s attitude” from the very start can help immensely in dealing with this crisis. (read more)
By CBM Book Reviews
September 18, 2016
8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them by Marianne McDonough
As a previous breast cancer survivor, Marianne C. McDonough, writes with passion to bring newly-diagnosed cancer patients and those who love them a strong sense of empowerment to fight this invasive disease. Written from a Christian perspective, the author offers readers hope through faith, prayer and trust in God, along with confidence, knowledge, strength and guidance upon hearing the diagnosis of the “C” word.
With ease and candor, she presents facts about cancer, breaks down the myths surrounding cancer and ushers in truth within an 8-step guide to begin a positive path to healing and battling cancer. Intertwining her courageous fight against cancer and the ups and downs of her fight that include emotional, spiritual and physical aspects, the author encourages newly-diagnosed patients to get real with themselves and others, offering them positive wisdom for the journey ahead after a cancer diagnosis.
The 8-step guide highlights 8 initial evaluations and/or questions that patients ask themselves during this extremely stressful and difficult time such as: What do I know about cancer and believe to be true about myself as a cancer patient? How shall I interact with others, especially family members, friends and medical providers? How can I select the best treatment protocol? How do I feel about possibly dying? Where is God in all of this? What am I afraid of? How do I deal with stress? Do I dare hope for a future?
Offering real advice for real circumstances, this book is crucial during the initial diagnosis and beginning journey when one is faced with life-changing decisions that a cancer diagnosis brings. With an in-depth analysis of what getting real is, the author describes an introspective journey that brings strength, sensitivity, and inner clarity to patients and helps them make positive changes. Thus, readers are encouraged to access their thoughts, beliefs and feelings in regards to a life-threatening disease, considering their own mortality, their belief system while the author vehemently urges others to fight cancer with all that is within them. Offering tools, wisdom and keen guidance, this book is key to bringing healing and wholeness during the process that provides hope and lasting positive change during what can be one of the most trying times during one’s life.
A highly recommended read for newly-diagnosed cancer patients, those who love them and those who serve within the medical community or hospital settings.
BlueInk Review
Reviewed: September 2016
8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them by Marianne McDonough
Sapphire River Publishing Services, 91 pages, (paperback) $12.95, 978-0-9966977-0-5
Breast cancer survivor Marianne McDonough remembers the exact time and date she learned she had invasive ductal carcinoma: “On Monday, March 12, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.…my world collapsed into a sinkhole.” Now, the journalist provides hope and inspiration for newly diagnosed cancer patients based on her own experiences.
When first diagnosed, McDonough realized she had to be as authentic as possible about issues such as her relationships with family, friends and medical providers—and even her thoughts about dying. It’s what she calls “getting real,” a gut-level evaluation of her own belief system she categorized into eight helpful topics for the book. From “getting real with yourself” to “getting real with the treatment process,” the author debunks common cancer myths and offers practical applications for patient self-empowerment. Each section is followed by a “survivor attitude” that highlights how she believes God is involved in a patient’s life.
In a compassionate, conversational manner, the author begins with typical misconceptions to avoid: Cancer is a death sentence; patients should always follow advice; emotional and spiritual expressions are a sign of weakness. “Getting real” with medical practitioners focuses on an important issue: It’s not necessary to be the perfect patient. Patients can empower themselves by planning out questions before medical visits, disagreeing appropriately with medical advice and avoiding total dependence on others.
She also discusses a patient’s support system, tossing out the preconceived idea that others don’t want to hear about medical issues or don’t want to help. And “getting real with God” has particular meaning to McDonough as she focuses on mortality and ways to grow spiritually. She invites patients to find strength in their own spirituality as they prepare for treatment and survivorship.
While the author’s emphasis on Biblical scripture may not be for everyone, many breast cancer patients in the early stages of treatment and those who love them will find McDonough’s thoughtful and practical advice a reassuring look at the breast cancer journey.
Kirkus Review
Reviewed: September 4th, 2016
8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them by Marianne McDonough
In this debut guide to thriving through a cancer diagnosis and the healing process, the author gives intimate, friendly, and firm advice about handling family, medical providers, fear, and decision-making. Cancer can shock and rattle even the strongest of families, and McDonough is no stranger to the changes that take place immediately after the diagnosis is delivered. In her guide, the author reaches out to readers grappling with their own struggles and offers focus points in the form of myths and truths. (read more)