Happiness in a Storm: Facing Illness and Embracing Life as a Healthy Survivor

by Wendy Schlessel Harpham

Book Overview

Award-winning author Wendy Schlessel Harpham, MD, offers her program to getting good care and finding happiness when you are sick. Having coined the term "Healthy Survivor" while dealing with her own chronic lymphoma, Harpham encourages people dealing with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or any prolonged illness to simultaneously do all they can to overcome disease and live life to the fullest. Harpham opens our eyes to the opportunities for happiness...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393329054
• ISBN13: 9780393329056
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Help with a difficult journey

I use "Happiness in a Storm" as a wonderful reference book for dealing with the myriad difficulties that arise with a cancer diagnosis. My husband was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia years ago and with head and neck cancer more recently. I keep Wendy Harpham's book next to our bed, and when we're feeling especially anxious or sad, I flip through it and always find something that helps us feel better about our situation and a little more in control. I appreciate the combination of practical advice--such as how to get the most out of your relationship with doctors--as well as the more spiritual aspects of dealing with a serious illness. Chris, Berkeley, California

So, my feelings aren't crazy afterall

After battling chronic Hodgkins' Lymphoma for the past 6 years I figured I'd be through with issues of grief, loss, anger, inadequacy and flinching everytime someone innocently asks 'How are you?'--Dr. Harpham's chapters about emotions and taking action along with clear, how-to information helped me to realize that the cancer journey is an on-going process, my feelings are normal and that I can work through my issues and find hope and happiness too. The information in this book will likely never be outdated and it is one that I'll continuously reach for in my home library. Thank you Dr. Harpham!

This book really works

Books can make a difference, and this one definitely does! I've already bought multiple copies to share with friends and family facing various illnesses--and they're all telling me it works! I've seen how Dr. Harpham's book gives people hope and helps them find their own best path to healing.

A must read

Many patients after a cancer diagnosis are often reluctant to read about the subject. However if one were to read 1 book only, this is the book to read. Despite being a little long, there is much to be learned from it. Dr Harpham has a three pronged approach --- knowledge, hope and action. As a survivor, she knows about disappointments and recurrances. Yet she also knows about the joy of being alive after receiving cutting edge treatment. Her many metaphores are useful in getting her message across, and throughout the book she interweaves her personal experiences, lending credibility to what she has to say. While Dr. Harpham had to give up her medical practice out of necessity, as a writer she administers to a wider patient base. Being a librarian in an oncology library geared to the layperson, I consider this a must read.