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Why I'm Glad I Had Breast Cancer, by Leonore H. Dvorkin

Note: An updated version of this book will be published by Norilana Books in May 2009 under the title Another Chance at Life: A Breast Cancer Survivor's Journey. A Spanish edition of the book will be published at the same time.

"In 1998, at the age of 52, author Leonore Dvorkin was diagnosed with breast cancer. This book takes you on her journey from stunned surprise to acceptance and then, finally, to emotional and physical victory. Dvorkin's descriptions of the steps along the journey are refreshingly frank. ... Her emotions and the medical procedures are described eloquently, honestly, and with humor. ... Dvorkin is proof that much is to be gained by accepting the inevitable, then moving forward with courage and strength. ... For any woman facing the possibility or reality of breast cancer, Dvorkin's book is a must-read. ... However, [her] varied and far-reaching messages can help virtually anyone - male or female, young or old - who is dealing with a physical or other crisis."
- D. E. Stein, Community News, Denver

"A reflective and ultimately optimistic memoir." - Midwest Book Review

"[Dvorkin's] account of life before and after mastectomy is remarkably unaffected and straightforward. ... Why I'm Glad I Had Breast Cancer is the gift of her wisdom and fortitude not to be missed by any woman."
- Ernest Dempsey, http://bookreviewpot.blogspot.com/

"Beautiful, moving, informative, uplifting. With an abundance of both style and substance, Leonore Dvorkin delivers a powerful, positive message that all women - and their partners - need to hear. I only wish there had been a book like this back when I had cancer."
- Lee Christopher, author of Jaded Love, a CD of poetry set to jazz, ISBN 1-887625-03-8

"A terrific read - well-written, frank, and honest. This book's many hard-won truths make it truly special and inspiring. I only wish it had been longer."
- Nina Romberg (a.k.a. Jane Archer), author of Shadow Walkers and The Spirit Stalker

"An amazing and beautiful story."
- Louniece SanFilippo, actress

"I read Why I'm Glad I Had Breast Cancer with great interest, having gone down the same road myself. Leonore writes of first accepting what is happening to you, and then of having the courage to move forward. I thoroughly recommend this book to all women who want to be informed, not only of the medical facts, but of how a brave and intelligent woman faced this challenging chapter of her life."
- Elaine Greer, Pelican Waters, Queensland, Australia

"An uplifting and powerful story, with a very attractive message. The author's positive attitude shines through clearly."
- Vivian Manning, Barrie, Ontario, Canada

"Leonore Dvorkin's book Why I'm Glad I Had Breast Cancer is a wonderful compilation of honest and straightforward information about breast cancer, told from a very positive and uplifting perspective. I recommend this book not only to people suffering from any life-threatening disease, but to everyone. It reminds us of what's truly meaningful in life, helping us to better cope with the many challenges that are thrown our way every day."
- Giselle Rogers Hurley, artist

"An unusual and important perspective on the experience of having breast cancer."
- Melanie Tem, cancer survivor and author of The Deceiver

"This book is a straightforward account of living through and beyond breast cancer. It addresses the fears of women everywhere, yet gives hope for an even better life because of the experience. It could be read more than once, as it offers insights into the various stages of dealing with and living with breast cancer no matter what the woman's age or stage in life."
- Werner Baumgartner MD, Lakewood, Colorado

Interviews with Leonore

The writer and reviewer Ernest Dempsey has published an interview with Leonore on his site at Associated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/53683/cancer_defeated.html.

Leonore was the subject of an online interview with the writer/reviewer Andrea S. Campbell. To read the interview in the Jan. 1, 2006 edition of Campbell's bi-monthly newsletter, "Soup's On," go to http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewnewsletter.asp?AuthorID=1791&id=7360.

Overview of the book

In 1998, at the age of 52, I had breast cancer and a left-side mastectomy. That was my eighth major operation, but my first for the treatment of a life-threatening disease.

Almost immediately after the operation, I became aware that there were unexpected benefits to be reaped from this experience, benefits which ended up changing my life and many of my attitudes.

Eventually I decided to write a book detailing those many benefits (some of which I list below) and my thoughts on a variety of topics related to health, health care, self-image, and the value of courage and optimism in the face of adversity.

The benefits I gained

When I contracted cancer, I learned how much other people care about me.
Having a life-threatening disease put an end to my fear of aging.
The enforced rest gave me the leisure to look at my life and then jettison the things that were causing me the most stress.
My appreciation of the small joys of life was greatly increased.
Losing a breast gave me significant new insights into the entire question of breasts as they relate to sex, self-image, and femininity.

To sum up

Surviving breast cancer left me a happier, calmer, more focused, and more appreciative person. Now my principal message to other women is that breast cancer does not have to be an entirely negative, terror-inducing experience. On the contrary, it can leave them better off than they were before, both physically and emotionally. I know, because it happened to me. My book is primarily the story of that physical and emotional journey.

Introduction (Click to read the Introduction and selections from the book.)
Discovery
Decision
Family and Friends
What the Eye Will Never See Again
Cutting It Off and Carrying It Away
The Immediate Aftermath
Pause and Reflect / Why Me?
Going Forward from Here
Setbacks and Solutions
Self-Pity Personified / Putting All This into Perspective
Breasts, Beauty, Sex, and Femininity
My Much-Appreciated Prosthesis
Fear and Caring
Health News and New Health Horizons
Going Forward into the Future
Aging, Accepting, and Appreciating
What Will the Future Bring?
Afterword

About the cover

The photograph used for the cover is one I took in the summer of 1988 in Rhede, in northwestern Germany. This beautiful path is near the Akademie Klausenhof, the language school I was attending with a group of students from The Metropolitan State College of Denver. The program director was Dr. Gudrun Clay.

Purchasing information

You can order Why I'm Glad I Had Breast Cancer from various online bookstores. Use these links:

Why I'm Glad I Had Breast Cancer is on the shelf at the following Denver-area bookstores:

The Tattered Cover, Cherry Creek and LoDo

West Side Books, 3434 West 32nd Avenue (just east of 32nd and Lowell). Phone: 303-480-0220

Who Else! Books inside the Denver Book Mall, 32 Broadway. Phone: 303-733-3808

Auraria Campus Bookstore, 900 Auraria Parkway. Phone: 303-556-4286
They sell the book at a 30% discount. Look for it in the Book Club Café cart on the upper floor of the bookstore.

Softcover: $12.95. ISBN: 0-8095-1096-0
(Hardcover: $24.95. ISBN: 0-8095-4493-8 Release date to be announced.)

A Spanish edition is planned for spring of 2006.
Translator: Gloria Lopez, Lexicon Communication.

Marketing

Any suggestions regarding how to market this book in your city will be much appreciated.

Ideas so far include:

chain bookstores
independent and specialty bookstores
gift shops
health food stores
breast cancer support groups and Web sites
mammogram clinics
mastectomy supply shops

Please write with any ideas and/or names and contact information for individuals whom I or Wildside Press might contact.

International inquiries are also welcome.

Talks about the book

I welcome the opportunity to talk about my breast cancer experience and my book at bookstores and at meetings of cultural and social groups, civic groups, book clubs, etc. You can contact me by e-mail or telephone: 303-985-2327.

Other facts of possible interest

I work as a private tutor of Spanish and German and as a weight training instructor.

I've also written a literary novel, Apart from You (Wildside Press, 2000, ISBN 1-58715-074-3).

Click here for photos of me, my husband, and our son. Click here for details about my husband's 17 published books, which are in the genres of science fiction, horror, mystery, and satire.