Book Reviews

The older generation is very hush hush when it comes to talking about death or a devasting disease like cancer. When my beloved sister was suffering from cancer nobody really knew what she was going through because she had a wonderful attitude on life and refused to let anyone see her real pain and she worked up until two days before her death. She was a fighter and a believer.  When she died at the age of 46 my father was devastated because he never talked about her illness and I believe that he always trusted that the doctors would heal her. He didn’t understand. Many people young and old are like my father and need to read this book.  It is a great tool for understanding the disease and helping to cope. I have cared for several family members who were struck with cancer and as open minded as I am I could have used the help of this wonderful book as a guide to helping them understand what they were going through since none of them would talk about it. This book is a must have for everyone.

Deebee,
El Paso, TX

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Gentlemen!  If you have a loved one with breast cancer, Charlavan’s  book is for you too.  It not only gives vital information but also insights with a calming, lighthearted approach.  You and your loved one both can truly enjoy and appreciate the book.

Jimmy Gardner–retired English teacher and long-time fan of Charlavan.

Endorsements

Tit Tatts is an honest and compelling account of how the author dealt with a potentially life threatening and disfiguring illness.  Charlavan moves towards health utilizing conventional medicine, alternative medicine, humor and art.  The book is not merely an account of her illness.  Her humor and art are original. Laughter is always good medicine. Although she is very frank about how she struggled with her expectations and accommodations to the disease, she makes the reader feel pride in her feisty resilience.

Charlavan reminds us that she is not just a breast. She is a whole person.  She utilizes her mind and her body to fight and recover from cancer.  Her tattoos celebrate her integration of experience. Her life was not limited to dealing exclusively with the cancer.

My patients ask me when life will cease being turbulent. They are tired of their problems.  They can perhaps handle one at a time.  I tell them it doesn’t work that way.  Life is not seasoned with only one spice.  Charalvan’s book is not just about cancer survival.  It is about dealing with family, work, plumbing, aging, and joy all at once.  It is about having the courage to live fully in the moment, and enjoy as best as we can.  Experience the messy, troubling concerns, and breath and be mindful that we are still above ground.

Anita W. Horwitz, LCSW
Psychotherapist and Designer
Healing Power Meditations
Meditations for Cancer, Heart Disease and
Physical Rehabilitation.

 

READERS WRITE

 

“I have intended to write for a long time (each time I read your column).  Your articles are so great I just had to now just stop and

tell you.  Your sense of humor I appreciate so much I often just laugh

out loud because I relate so well with it.  I wish we could hang out

together.”  “Keep up the good work and I will continue to take the paper.”

Dr. Ellen Wortham

 

“I read your article and I was inspired.  You put your heart out there

for everybody to see!  It was cool and so are you.  Your humor and elegance can light up a room.”

Deano (writer)

 

“I just read  your article in the Journal and laughed until I cried.  Then I wiped my eyes and read it again.  It was great!  What fun reading.”

LK

 

“Has it occurred to you that the reason you have so many readers is because they love to read your thoughts and they are able to see your personality shine through your writing?  I think that in past articles you have been informative, entertaining and revealing – sometimes all in one column.  You are doing a great job.  Please don’t change a thing.”

Cindy (editor)

 

“We look forward to getting the paper in order to read your columns. Something Wonderful Just Happened and Thinking Outside the Box quite literally made our day.”

E.T.