Resurrection Lily
The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew
by Amy Byer Shainman
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Pub Date 5 Dec 2018 | Archive Date 31 Oct 2019
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Description
Resurrection Lily shares a story of inheritance and intuition, of what can surface in the body and the spirit when linked by DNA. As Amy Byer Shainman discovers she has inherited a BRCA gene mutation that puts her at high risk of developing certain cancers, she struggles to come to terms with preventively removing her breasts when she does not have a breast cancer diagnosis. Through her experience making decisions about her health, Amy becomes invigorated with purpose and establishes herself as a leading advocate for those with BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes, tirelessly working to educate others facing the same daunting reality.
Painting a timely and moving portrait of what it feels like to carry a BRCA gene mutation, Resurrection Lily provides firsthand insight into the patient experience. Weaved throughout Amy's open and vulnerable story is the expertise of her doctors, education from top medical experts in cancer genetics, and whispered lifesaving guidance from her grandmother Lillian.
A Note From the Publisher
-Winner of the 2019 FAPA President's Award for Health Book
-Reader's Favorite 2019 Book Award Winner Non-Fiction=Genealogy
-2019 Independent Publisher Book Award for Best Adult Non-Fiction Personal E-Book
-2018 SPR Book Award Honorable Mention, Shortlisted for Excellence
Advance Praise
"Resurrection Lily is as helpful a book as you will find on the topic of BRCA mutations. Amy Byer Shainman has deftly intertwined crucial scientific information with moving stories of how she, her family and her friends have navigated this complex genetic issue." - Barron H. Lerner, MD, PhD Author of The Breast Cancer Wars: Hope, Fear and the Pursuit of a Cure in Twentieth-Century America
"Shainman's memoir is poignantly inspirational throughout...she provides sensible information about medical due-diligence, especially involving genetic testing."- Kirkus Reviews
"Amy Byer Shainman achieves a powerful thing in Resurrection Lily - she brings highly curated clinical information and personal experience together. By sharing her own 'previvor' voice, the voices of family and friends with cancer and hereditary risks, and the expert voices of the clinical care team that supports individuals at high risk for cancer, she has created a fantastic resource for those who want to understand the experience of genetic counseling and genetic testing, whether they are seeking information for prevention, treatment or for the benefit of their family." - Erica Ramos, MS, LCGC, Past President - National Society of Genetic Counselors
"With raw honesty, Shainman articulates coming to terms with her decision to have a prophylactic 'preventative' mastectomy. Whether she is reflecting on the value of heeding intuition, documenting a surgical consultation, or dealing with anger, Shainman transparently tells it like it is. I recommend the book to readers who want to learn more about hereditary cancer, genetic counseling, and the BRCA gene." - OnlineBookClub.org
"Told with a brutal honesty, while still maintaining the occasional foray into lightheartedness of everyday life, RESURRECTION LILY resonates with as much inspiration as it does information. As a guide to monitoring one’s health and remaining vigilant for any possible detriments to that health, this story should be recommended reading for anyone with a genetic makeup and breast tissue – meaning, of course, everyone." - IndieReader
"Amy Byer Shainman has pulled back the curtain on what it's like to carry a BRCA gene mutation. Nurses, interested in oncology, will find this book informative as they will likely become more enlightened as to what their patients are going through." - Iris R. Accettola, MSN, RN, OCN (retired)
"It is a book to learn from but also an account to enjoy on a personal level. Although for many people the central theme will be less than cheerful, in many respects this is a positive book, and the characters appearing in it are vivid and memorable. Beautifully written and interestingly presented through a central structural metaphor, it is a biography dealing with an increasingly important topic, and one that will appeal to a very wide audience." - Readers' Favorite
"This book explains what the BRCA gene is and all its ramifications in incredible detail which could be incredibly boring except that Shainman weaves the medical and scientific information into her personal story. Following her as she discovers her family history and faces the hard medical decisions BRCA carriers have to make, we feel every piece of her experience along with her. Written with authenticity and a generous dose of humor, this book is a wonderful memoir and a great resource of BRCA information." - Valerie Staggs, Author of This Side of Heaven, A Memoir
Marketing Plan
Amy Byer Shainman, also known as BRCA Responder, is a patient advocate who provides support and education surrounding BRCA and other hereditary cancer syndromes. She's the executive producer of the award-winning documentary Pink & Blue: Colors of Hereditary Cancer and co-creator of #GenCSM (Genetic Cancer Social Media). Shainman has been featured in Cure Magazine, The Jewish Journal, and The Palm Beach Post, as well as numerous live and taped television and radio segments nationwide. As a digital ambassador for the National Society of Genetic Counselors gene pool, she is considered one of fifteen influencers who have unique perspectives and knowledge in the fields of genetics and genetic counseling. Her articles have been published in The American Journal of Managed Care, Jupiter Magazine, and Oncology Nursing News. She lives in Florida with her family.
PUBLICITY:
Mallory Campoli
SMITH PUBLICITY, INC.
t: 856.489.8654 ext: 313
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781480867062 |
| PRICE | US$19.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Judi A, Reviewer
What a wonderful book! A beautiful courageous memoir which also incorporates a much needed “public service announcement” concerning t BRCA gene mutations. These gene mutations leave many women & men, who have them, at high risk for developing an aggressive form of breast cancer that often proves fatal.
The writing in this book was clear and understandable which helped clarify the medical conditions and ramifications. I found the discussion around prophylactic mastectomies particularly informative and inspiring. I appreciated the way the author told her story with hope and some appropriate humor.
As soon as I began reading, I found I couldn’t put the book down. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, not only to those individuals suffering from cancer and it’s life changing effects; but to everyone who has breast tissue and that seems to be all of us!
The title of this book was: Resurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew.
On a personal note, after reading this book and being a 27 year survivor of 2 breast cancers and other cancers, I am definitely going to get genetic testing. On the chance that I may carry a BRCA mutation perhaps I can give my daughter and granddaughters a lifesaving gift from the grandmother they know,
Amie G, Reviewer
RESURRECTION LILY: A Memoir of the BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer and Lifesaving Whispers From the Grandmother I Never Knew by AMY BIER SHAINMAN is a heart wrenching read, but THIS BOOK MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE
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Before reading this memoir I had some small knowledge regarding the BRCA gene. If I had been asked before reading this book whether I felt I was fairly well informed on the subject of breast cancer and the BRCA Gene, I would have confidently said that I was. Now, upon completion of Amy Byer Shainman's memoir, I know I was mistaken.
The reason I am including the above fact is that, I think many people will feel that they already have enough knowledge on Breast Cancer and on the BRCA Gene. I urge those of you who are thinking along those lines, to trust me and to pick up a copy of this memoir (and one for each of your friends and family members.) I guarantee that if you do, you will be grateful that you did. IT MIGHT EVEN SAVE YOUR LIFE - OR THE LIFE OF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU.
I do not want to misrepresent this book. It is NOT a dry, medical text full of facts, figures and survival rates. Instead, first and foremost it is the story of Amy and her family. It is a memoir, but is not JUST a memoir. Amy's story is an interesting one and what struck me the most was the utter normality of her life before her unasked for trip into the world of Breast Cancer and gene studies. She could have been anyone. In fact, she could have been you. She could have been me.
When Amy's sister is diagnosed with cancer, it changes Amy's whole life. Then, her husband's co-worker and close friend to both him and to Amy, is diagnosed with breast cancer as well.
Amy began looking into these cancers and discovered that there are some genetic components to breast cancer and especially to having the BRCA gene.
This book also contains quotes by specialists as well as short anecdotes written by other people who have had their own personal experiences with the BRCA Gene.
Because Amy I a "regular" person and not a doctor, this story as well as the information contained within, is written in easy to understand prose and is NOT written too technically.
Amy does a fabulous job of conveying the conflicting emotions she experienced while worrying about her sister and her friend, as well as while making difficult decisions regarding her own medical issues. Readers will find themselves invested in the decisions and I even cried a few times.
Maya Angelou once said "When women take care of their health they become their own best friend." I firmly believe this and reading this memoir has served to strengthen that belief even further.
This book is all about Maya's message which has become Amy's mission in life. She has become the BRCA RESPONDER and is dedicated to helping other BRCA positive people to navigate through the health care system.
Simply put, this book might save your life, and because of that fact, to me, it is a "No-brainer." You should not only want to read this book, you NEED to read this book.
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