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A review by jezebelparks
Promise Me: How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer by Joni Rodgers, Nancy G. Brinker
2.0
This story is heart-wrenching to say the least. Unfortunately, I was only able to get through half of it. I got up to where Susan loses her battle with breast cancer, but even then I had to push myself. Of course, you know what the outcome will be before you even turn the first page.
I tried to connect to both Nancy and Susan, but found that I couldn't. They both make silly decisions that had me almost screaming at the book. Nancy marries a man who, just before their wedding, shows her that the marriage would not be emotionally healthy at all, and said husband was more of a patriarch than a partner. Still, because of how lavish the ceremony is and Susan's encouragement (her reason for her going through with it is also shallow), she marries him and is pretty miserable.
While I hate to say it, Susan annoyed me as well. When she finds out she has the early stages of cancer, instead of going to a doctor who specializes in treating the disease, she goes to a "handsome" doctor from a clinic she's familiar with. This insistence really annoyed me, especially since the cancer comes back because of the doctor's inexperience in treating cancer. Even when it comes back, Nancy tells her to go to an actual cancer practice, and it takes her a while to finally give in. By then, it's too late. I feel bad speaking ill of the dead, but better decisions could have been life-saving ones. Hopefully this will teach others who read this book not to ignore symptoms and such.
There are informational sub chapters between each biographical chapter. They start with the early stages of breast cancer treatment, then go on to cover breast cancer survivors and participants in charity activities. The early segments are especially gruesome, and had me nearly clutching my own breasts in fear. Just be glad we have the technology we do now, ladies.
I wish I could have finished this book, but the players, the pace, and other factors left me bored. Even my interest in the subject (breast cancer runs in my family) couldn't keep me going. Maybe I'll pick it up at a later date. For now, it will sit on my self.
I tried to connect to both Nancy and Susan, but found that I couldn't. They both make silly decisions that had me almost screaming at the book. Nancy marries a man who, just before their wedding, shows her that the marriage would not be emotionally healthy at all, and said husband was more of a patriarch than a partner. Still, because of how lavish the ceremony is and Susan's encouragement (her reason for her going through with it is also shallow), she marries him and is pretty miserable.
While I hate to say it, Susan annoyed me as well. When she finds out she has the early stages of cancer, instead of going to a doctor who specializes in treating the disease, she goes to a "handsome" doctor from a clinic she's familiar with. This insistence really annoyed me, especially since the cancer comes back because of the doctor's inexperience in treating cancer. Even when it comes back, Nancy tells her to go to an actual cancer practice, and it takes her a while to finally give in. By then, it's too late. I feel bad speaking ill of the dead, but better decisions could have been life-saving ones. Hopefully this will teach others who read this book not to ignore symptoms and such.
There are informational sub chapters between each biographical chapter. They start with the early stages of breast cancer treatment, then go on to cover breast cancer survivors and participants in charity activities. The early segments are especially gruesome, and had me nearly clutching my own breasts in fear. Just be glad we have the technology we do now, ladies.
I wish I could have finished this book, but the players, the pace, and other factors left me bored. Even my interest in the subject (breast cancer runs in my family) couldn't keep me going. Maybe I'll pick it up at a later date. For now, it will sit on my self.