Inspiring & Very Wise
Voices Of Cancer by Lynda Wolters is a powerful, inspiring and very wise book. It is part memoir as the author writes of her own cancer journey and what she has learned along the way. She includes wisdom from the fellow cancer patients that she meets.
This book spoke to my heart as my husband embarked on his cancer journey in 2022. Much of what Lynda Wolters wrote resonated with me. I recognized myself in the author’s husband. As a spouse you feel totally helpless. This is not something you can fix or even do anything about. You are a passenger on the journey that neither of us signed up for. As Lynda Wolters says “It’s not your job to fix me.”
We learn that we all go through a process of grief when we hear the word ‘cancer.’ “Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance… It is a process.” I spent a long time at the denial stage, believing (wrongly) that if I didn’t name it, it wasn’t happening.
Lynda Wolters tells us “No cancer is easy.” I got particularly upset when my brother dismissed my husband’s cancer as the one that everyone got and it was a good cancer to have as he knew many people who’d had it (prostate cancer). It was neither ‘good’ nor ‘easy’. The author says that we do not need people around us who give empty, positive platitudes. We need people around us who will be ‘real’ with us, who will walk beside us and who will offer support whatever that looks like to us. Everyone is unique.
The author says “everything changes with cancer” and “cancer can change your body… but it can’t have your spirit.” Taking possession of our spirit gives a semblance of control. Life does and will change. It’s inevitable. It can even change for the better. We drew even closer together as we realized that life is fragile.
There are those who step up and offer “little acts of kindness and love… are huge and perhaps lifesaving.” We meet human angels and fur angels along the way. You cannot put a price on the random acts of kindness.
The author has a faith, declaring “I am not angry at God.” Likewise, my husband and I found a cancer diagnosis drew us closer to God – because where else can you go?
We learn from the author that “People had no idea what to say to me… they often avoided me.” Please don’t avoid us. We don’t need your words, we just need to know that you are there.
Voices Of Cancer is a very powerful read. It can help in the support of those with cancer and their loved ones. It gives insight into the roads we walk and how best to offer love and support.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Voices of Cancer
“I don’t know what to say” and “I don’t know what to do” are common responses to a life-threatening diagnosis. Voices of Cancer is here to help.
Every cancer story is different, but there is one commonality: both patients and the people supporting them often struggle to properly articulate their wants and needs through particularly challenging and in many cases, uncharted territory. Lynda Wolters knows firsthand: she was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal mantle cell lymphoma in August of 2016.
Voices of Cancer offers a candid look into the world of a cancer patient, informed by Lynda’s own story and conversations had with dozens of patients weighing in on their needs, wants, and dislikes as they navigate the complex world of diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. With comprehensive and accessible insight from people who’ve been there, Voices of Cancer helps educate, dispel fears, and start positive conversations about what a cancer diagnosis truly means, while shining a light on how best to support a loved one on their own terms.
Purchase Links
Audible (US): https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/B0839PK3GJ/
Kindle (US): https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want-ebook/dp/B07YLZKSTX/
Hardcopy (US): https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/1645430391
Audible (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/B0839PGW1B/
Hardcopy (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/1645430391/
Author Bio –
Lynda was born and raised in a tiny farming community of 400 in northern Idaho. She worked on the family farm, with her first job being picking rocks out of the fields and ultimately graduating up the ladder to driving a grain truck and combine during harvest. Following high school, Lynda continued her education in Las Vegas before she moved back home to Idaho to raise her three sons.
Lynda still resides in Idaho with her husband and their peekapoo, Max.
Lynda has worked in the legal field for 30+ years and enjoys ballroom and swing dancing, horseback riding, kayaking, and river rafting. She has a heart for people and enjoys regularly volunteering. She spends the bulk of her spare time reading and writing.
Lynda was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) in August 2016. She touts herself as being a thriving warrior of the disease.
Lynda has completed two books of nonfiction: Voices of Cancer, released in October 2019, and Voices of LGBTQ+, released in August 2020.
The Placeholder, Lynda’s debut novel, was released in November 2022.
Lynda has published the following articles: Navigating the Workplace with Chemo Brain, February 23, 2020, Elephants and Tea. and When Masks Weren’t Popular, March 24, 2020, Patient Power. She has spoken on several podcasts, been a guest on a local talk show regarding Voices of Cancer, and given interviews for other outlets and print.
Jane Brody wrote up Voices of Cancer in the New York Times, her article entitled What to Say to Someone with Cancer, on January 13, 2020, with a follow-up on January 20, 2020, entitled, When Life Throws You a Curveball, Embrace the New Normal.
The Chinese translation rights of Voices of Cancer have been purchased by a grant to offer the book to medical students in Tawain.
Lynda donates Voices of Cancer books and a portion of its proceeds to Epic Experience, a nonprofit camp for adult survivors and thrivers of cancer located in Colorado.
Social Media Links –
WEBSITE: https://www.lyndawolters.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynda.wolters24
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lyndawolters1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndawolters/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lynda_Wolters