read: Books with practical advice and encouragement for caregivers

Books for your caregiver journey: Practical advice from existing books you might find helpful and encouraging.

MORE GOOD READING:

Magazines: CURE: Cancer Updates‚ Research & Education, a free quarterly magazine that combines the science and humanity of cancer for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis.

From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in TranslationResearch: From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, a study published in November 2005, by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs (2007)
Read this free online

Books on Hope & Healing

Embrace, Release, Heal: An Empowering Guide to Talking About, Thinking About, and Treating Cancer
Leigh Fortson (Sounds True, (May 2011), ISBN: 978-1604074314. Also see the author's site, embracehealingcancer.com

Healing Words for the Body, Mind and Spirit: 101 Words to Inspire and Affirm
Caren Goldman, Belleruth Naparstek, ISBN-10: 1569245851

There's No Place Like Hope: A Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-Sized Bites: A Book of Hope, Help, and Inspiration for Cancer Patients and Their Families
Vickie Girard, Compendium Publishing & Communications (March 2001). ISBN-10: 1888387416

 

Books on Caregiving

This list provided by Cancer Caregiving, funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute

A Caregivers Survival Guide: How to Stay Healthy When Your Loved One is Sick, by Kay Marshall Strom (Intervarsity Press, 2000).

A Spirituality of Caregiving (Henri Nouwen Spirituality) by Henri J. M. Nouwen and John S Mogabgab (Jan 20, 2011)

American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Family Caregiving: The Essential Guide to Cancer Caregiving at Home by Julia A. Bucher Rn PhD, Peter S. Houts PhD and Terri Ades DNP FNP-BC AOCN (Oct 18, 2011)

The Caregiver's Survival Handbook (Revised): Caring for Your Aging Parents Without Losing Yourself by Alexis Abramson and Mary Anne Dunkin (Feb 1, 2011)

Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness, by Joanne Lynn, MD and Joan Harrold, MD (Oxford University Press, 1999).

Who Cares, A Loving Guide for My Future Caregivers, by Dee Marrella (DC Press, 2000).

 

For Children Whose Parents Have Cancer

I haven't found many books for children who are dealing with their father's illness -- only a few about mother's with breast cancer. The books below are targeted for children 4-8.  Also, here is a national support group for kids called Kids Konnected: www.kidskonnected.org/

For Parents to Read:

"Can I Still Kiss You: Answering Your Children's Questions About Cancer" by Neil Russell

"Cancer in the Family: Helping Children Understand," by Sue P. Heiney, Joan F. Hermann, Joy L. Fincannon (From Barnes & Noble)

"Helping Your Children Cope With Your Cancer: A Guide For Parents And Families" byPeter R. Van Dernoot, Madelyn Case (From Barnes & Noble)

"How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness" by Kathleen McCue, Ron Bonn
This is a book I wish I'd known about "back then" - SV

"When a Parent Has Cancer" by Wendy Harpham, MD (and a cancer survivor)

"When Children Grieve: For Adults to Help Children Deal With Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses," by John W. James, Russell Friedman, Leslie Landon Matthews (Contributor) 
I highly recommend this book as it sheds light on the "myths" we (typically in the U.S.) were taught about proper responses to grief.

You Are the Best Medicine by Julie Aigner Clark, founder of Baby Einstein. In this courageous and sensitive book, cancer survivor Julie Clark creates sweet and poignant memories that remind us how children can nurture people they care about at a time when optimism and love are the most needed.

To Read With Your Child:

Nowhere Hair  by Sue Glader (for ages 3 to 12). A whimsical, poignantly illustrated book that focuses on dispelling the worries that cancer brings to children and explaining the loss of hair due to chemotherapy such as hats, scarves, wigs, going bald in public, and the idea that what is inside of us is far more important than how we look on the outside (November 2010). See the book video.

"Our Family Has Cancer, Too!" (ages 9-12) by Christine Clifford, Jack Lindstrom

"The Paper Chain" (for ages 4-8) by Claire Blake

"Once Upon a Hopeful Night" by Risa Yaffe, Troy Cramer (sounds very nice)

"Daddy's Cancer and My Daddy's Cancer" by Cindy Klein Cohen (1997) by Promise Publications 

"When Eric's Mom Fought Cancer" by Judith Vigna 

"My Mommy Has Cancer" by Carolyn Stearns Parkinson (a 5-yr old boy's mom; what causes cancer)

"The Kissing Hand" (more about separation anxiety but a nice concept that helps a lot when you can't be together)


Books For Children With Cancer

Emotio Believes in You,an ebook by Ray Wilkins ( September 2011). A story about a boy and his fight against cancer. He discovers the power behind thoughts and feelings. Guided by a creature called Emotio from the land of Tryfatt. Max must cross the Bridge of Mood and solve all challenges. This book is illustrated and also contains simple exercises for pain relief, relaxation and affirmations. Ray (who lives in Belgium) tells me that part of the income of this book goes to "wünschdirwas" a German organisation that fulfills the dreams of children with cancer

Everything's Okay by Alesia Shute, illustrated by Nathan Lueth (2011). This graphic novel tells the author's story of being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 7. It is her story of survival that details not only her recovery, but also her struggles throughout school, boys, marriage and pregnancy. (See everythingsokaybook.com)

Kathy's Hats : A Story of Hope by Trudy Krisher. A little girl loses her hair as a result of treatment for cancer, and she hates the hats she wears to cover her baldness until her mother tells her she should also be wearing a thinking cap -- he most important thing about a person is the way she thinks about things.

"The Kissing Hand" (more about separation anxiety but a nice concept that helps a lot when you can't be together)

Let's Talk About When Kids Have Cancer (The Let's Talk Library)
by Melanie Apel Gordon, Melanie Apel Gorden

Little Tree : A Story for Children With Serious Medical Problems by Joyce C. Mills, Michael Chesworth. Let Little Tree help you help the child who is coping with illness...and don't be surprised if you too feel its soothing, soulful message

Our Family Has Cancer, Too! by Christine Clifford, Jack Lindstrom (Illustrator)
Providing comfort through the knowledge that "you are not alone," Our Family Has Cancer, Too! Is an ideal gift for children ages 7-12 whose families have been touched to cancer. A special "Questions to Ask" section invites kids to write down their questions for parents, doctors, teachers, and others. Additional worksheets inspire family members to draw and record their feelings for later discussion. Powerful "Stop and Discuss" suggestions throughout the book encourage dialogue between parents and children. The book also contains a glossary of the most common words kids might hear when someone in their family has cancer.

Surviving Childhood Cancer : A Guide for Families by Margot Joan Fromer. 
From Book News, Inc. , June 1, 1995
Intended for children with cancer and their family and friends, this informative, sensitive guide describes the illness, its treatment, and how it changes the lives of the child and everybody involved with the child. A glossary of relevant terms is provided and a resource section lists supportive organizations. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Pediatric Cancer Sourcebook : Basic Consumer Health Information About Leukemias, Brain Tumors, Sarcomas (Health Reference Series) by Edward J. Prucha (Editor), Ed Prucha (Editor)
Read Scott Vickroy's Brain Tumor Success Story