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brinastewart's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was interesting that Fran wrote a book about her experience in finding out she had cancer and how it affected her but I am glad she did. I am glad she gave the insight for us who might wonder what something like that is like and I was happy to read how she got through it all. I now wonder what she has been up to since then. I have seen that she in very involved with promoting early diagnosis and getting multiple opinions when something isn't right but I haven't looked farther than that. Anyway, this is a good read for anyone who is or was a fan of hers or knows someone or if they are going through cancer diagnosis.
bealittlebrave's review against another edition
4.0
This book undoubtedly has some issues, but as a big fan of Fran Drescher's achievements, it's fascinating nevertheless.
cricket88's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent as I expected! If you love Fran you'll love this book. It was like she was sharing her personal story with you as you two shar her favorite pasta dish!
cramblinduvet's review against another edition
4.0
While this book was very depressing (understandably, of course) it was interesting and a good reminder to stick to your opinion if you know something's wrong. The day-to-day retelling got a little stale but was still an interesting read all in all.
candice_seretin's review against another edition
5.0
I felt outraged reading about Fran's experience with getting diagnosed with cancer. It took 10 doctors until she finally got diagnosed. Why is the question I kept asking myself.
bookwormyami's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
I felt like Fran was more open about herself in this book then in her first one.
aliensupersoldier's review against another edition
3.0
When I was an agnsty teen, The Nanny was my favourite sitcom. I loved Fran Fine and her outrageous outfits. I loved that she was so different and didn’t care what people thought about her unique sense of style and her voice. I needed a role model like back then, and when I discovered this show, the timing couldn’t have been better. Fran Drescher really was an inspiration to me. I have wasted many a VHS tape on reruns of this show.
But Fran Drescher was not just the star of The Nanny: She was the mastermind behind the whole thing. Co-creating the show with her then-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson, which was based on her real-life experiences, Fran wrote for, produced and starred in the show. Turns out, the real Fran was even more awesome than her on-screen counterpart.
On 12 June, 2000, Fran was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Cancer Schmancer is the story about Fran’s long journey from the first symptoms, to diagnosis, surgery, and finally remission. The thesis of this book is that early detection of cancer increases your chances of recovery. And it’s the detection and diagnosis part that almost fucked it all up for Fran.
As someone who has seen the health care machinery both as a patient and a caregiver, I realise the value of knowledge. And I’m not talking about just Googling your symptoms and thinking you can diagnose yourself. Having even the basic knowledge about the human body and its many ailments can make a big difference when you discuss your symptoms and treatment with your caregiver. There is, for example, a huge difference between going to the dentist as a “layman” and as a dentist student.
It took Fran two years and eight doctors to get the right diagnosis. Would she have been diagnosed earlier had she had more medical knowledge? Maybe. The question here is, why did it take so long? Why did she have to see so many physicians to get the correct diagnosis? What was it about the state of American health care – women’s health care in particular that lead to this monumental blooper?
In this book Fran does offer some insight into this most complicated system, and explain some of the choices that doctors make when treating cancer, as it was explained to her, but she only scratches the surface here. This story is very personal, subjective and one-sided. These are her own experiences Fran is sharing but it would have been great to put her experiences in a larger perspective.
To get an answer to the questions I mentioned above, you better read interviews with Fran, where she goes into greater detail about these things. For instance, in an article in Self Magazine, she does explain that the reason it took her two years to get the diagnosis was because,
Uterine cancer hits women that are postmenopausal or obese. “Because I was neither, I kept slipping through the cracks,”
This shows just how complicated this process can be, and how many things can go wrong.
When Fran finally did her diagnosis, the long journey of treatment and recovery could begin. This is what this memoir is about. But Fran also dives into her past and the life events that preceded her cancer. The events that shaped her and that may explain why she reacted to this cancer blow the way she did.
As far as memoirs go, Cancer Schmancer is very revealing. Fran is baring her soul in this book. No detail is too embarrassing, no story is too personal. It’s a tell-all only in the sense that Fran tells all about her journey and struggle. I admire her courage and openness. To be this open and honest with the world, you have to be open and honest with yourself.
I like the insights she offers into her own inner workings, while explaining her behaviour and her feelings. Fran seems very wise and insightful. She went through years of therapy, which must have helped a great deal to really get to know herself. I can also relate to some of the things she has gone through and some of her complexes and insecurities. Fran was also surrounded by friends and loved ones who supported her through it all. What is heartbreaking is how guilty she felt about being a burden on them sometimes.
The expression “a true inspiration” has been thrown around so many times it’s losing its meaning. But I don’t know how else to describe Fran Drescher. It’s for people like her this expression should be reserved. Because not only did she have the courage and strength to go through this personal hell, but she kept her positive outlook on life, and didn’t let these trials rob her of her spirit. Cancer Schmancer is a funny book and Fran isn’t afraid to laugh at herself. I guess you can’t expect anything less from the writer of The Nanny.
But Fran Drescher was not just the star of The Nanny: She was the mastermind behind the whole thing. Co-creating the show with her then-husband, Peter Marc Jacobson, which was based on her real-life experiences, Fran wrote for, produced and starred in the show. Turns out, the real Fran was even more awesome than her on-screen counterpart.
On 12 June, 2000, Fran was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Cancer Schmancer is the story about Fran’s long journey from the first symptoms, to diagnosis, surgery, and finally remission. The thesis of this book is that early detection of cancer increases your chances of recovery. And it’s the detection and diagnosis part that almost fucked it all up for Fran.
As someone who has seen the health care machinery both as a patient and a caregiver, I realise the value of knowledge. And I’m not talking about just Googling your symptoms and thinking you can diagnose yourself. Having even the basic knowledge about the human body and its many ailments can make a big difference when you discuss your symptoms and treatment with your caregiver. There is, for example, a huge difference between going to the dentist as a “layman” and as a dentist student.
It took Fran two years and eight doctors to get the right diagnosis. Would she have been diagnosed earlier had she had more medical knowledge? Maybe. The question here is, why did it take so long? Why did she have to see so many physicians to get the correct diagnosis? What was it about the state of American health care – women’s health care in particular that lead to this monumental blooper?
In this book Fran does offer some insight into this most complicated system, and explain some of the choices that doctors make when treating cancer, as it was explained to her, but she only scratches the surface here. This story is very personal, subjective and one-sided. These are her own experiences Fran is sharing but it would have been great to put her experiences in a larger perspective.
To get an answer to the questions I mentioned above, you better read interviews with Fran, where she goes into greater detail about these things. For instance, in an article in Self Magazine, she does explain that the reason it took her two years to get the diagnosis was because,
Uterine cancer hits women that are postmenopausal or obese. “Because I was neither, I kept slipping through the cracks,”
This shows just how complicated this process can be, and how many things can go wrong.
When Fran finally did her diagnosis, the long journey of treatment and recovery could begin. This is what this memoir is about. But Fran also dives into her past and the life events that preceded her cancer. The events that shaped her and that may explain why she reacted to this cancer blow the way she did.
As far as memoirs go, Cancer Schmancer is very revealing. Fran is baring her soul in this book. No detail is too embarrassing, no story is too personal. It’s a tell-all only in the sense that Fran tells all about her journey and struggle. I admire her courage and openness. To be this open and honest with the world, you have to be open and honest with yourself.
I like the insights she offers into her own inner workings, while explaining her behaviour and her feelings. Fran seems very wise and insightful. She went through years of therapy, which must have helped a great deal to really get to know herself. I can also relate to some of the things she has gone through and some of her complexes and insecurities. Fran was also surrounded by friends and loved ones who supported her through it all. What is heartbreaking is how guilty she felt about being a burden on them sometimes.
The expression “a true inspiration” has been thrown around so many times it’s losing its meaning. But I don’t know how else to describe Fran Drescher. It’s for people like her this expression should be reserved. Because not only did she have the courage and strength to go through this personal hell, but she kept her positive outlook on life, and didn’t let these trials rob her of her spirit. Cancer Schmancer is a funny book and Fran isn’t afraid to laugh at herself. I guess you can’t expect anything less from the writer of The Nanny.
brookeisbooked's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer