Cancer not only affects the life of the patient suffering from it, it changes their entire being and causes an emotional, mental, social, psychological and physical upheaval in the world around them. The disease impacts the lives of different people in different ways therefore the coping mechanisms and the combat with cancer differs for each individual who has either experienced it personally or has seen a loved one struggle with it. Misdiagnosis, treatment, medications, surgeries and the anxiety of battling with something that is killing you from the inside, can be devastating.
Here are five heart-breaking yet powerfully inspirational stories that talk about cancer.
A really popular book that was adapted into a film, and secured a permanent place in the hearts of its viewers, John Green’s ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is narrated from the point of view of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16 year old teen afflicted with lung cancer. While Hazel doesn’t want to, but is encouraged by her parents to attend the meetings of a support group, she eventually attends one. At the event, Hazel meets Augustus Waters who is a year older than her, and is an Osteosarcoma survivor. Hazel and Augustus exchange novels, discuss the things they like and dislike, and gradually grow close. The two then take a trip to Amsterdam, to meet the author of Hazel’s favourite novel. Shortly after their return back home, Augustus dies, leaving Hazel heartbroken.
One of the most emotionally wrenching books about cancer, ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ revolves around the life of the Fitzgerald family. Kate, the daughter of the Fitzgerald’s is diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia and the parents are unable to find a genetic match to save her. On the advice of Kate’s oncologist, Anna, the youngest daughter is born into the family, as a result of in-vitro fertilization. Even before Anna is born, her parents have assigned the sole purpose of her life to be a saviour of her sister’s life, which keeps going on for 11 years after she is born. When one of Kate’s kidneys fail, Anna is expected to donate a kidney, which she knows will hamper a lot of activities for her. Anna decided to sue her family for medical emancipation, due to her parent’s negligence towards her life.
A dark fantasy drama, Patrick Ness’ ‘A Monster Calls’ which has also been adapted into a film, is one of the best fiction books in the genre. It’s the story of a 12 year old boy, Connor is close to his mother, who is suffering from cancer. While his grandmother suggests that Connor should live with her, when his mother dies, Connor is not really fond of his grandma. One night Connor sees the yew tree near the church turn into a giant monster the monster promises to narrate three stories to Connor and asks that in return Connor should narrate a story, too.
One of the interesting books about cancer, ‘Kira-Kira’ set in 1950s, is the story of Katie, who lives with her family in Iowa. While her family owns a supermarket, it soon goes out of business and they are forced to relocate to Georgia. Katie appreciates and looks up to her elder sister Lynn, who is an intelligent and smart girl. She wants to be smart and sensible like her sister. As Katie and Lynn are trying to settle into their respective worlds, Lynn is making new friends, which makes Katie feel left out. Slowly Lynn starts becoming irritable and weak, and is diagnosed with lymphoma. When Lynn loses to cancer, Katie strives to keep her family together.
Written by Teri Rose, ‘Touched By Cancer’ are her actual accounts of her 19 year old self battling lymphoma. Rose was 19 and a college student when she was diagnosed with the ailment. Rose narrates how she fought not just with cancer but with the fear of never getting to the other side of it. It is her journey chronicling treatment, radiation and the lonely battle that cancer is.
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