5-STAR REVIEW: VOICES OF CANCER by Lynda Wolters

Biography/Memoir Non-Fiction Book Reviews

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About The Book

Publication Date: October 1, 2019

“I don’t know what to say” and “I don’t know what to do” are common responses to a life-threatening diagnosis. Voices of Cancer is here to help.

Every cancer story is different, but there is one commonality: both patients and the people supporting them often struggle to properly articulate their wants and needs through particularly challenging and in many cases, uncharted territory. Lynda Wolters knows firsthand: she was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal mantle cell lymphoma in August of 2016.

Voices of Cancer offers a candid look into the world of a cancer patient, informed by Lynda’s own story and conversations had with dozens of patients weighing in on their needs, wants, and dislikes as they navigate the complex world of diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. With comprehensive and accessible insight from people who’ve been there, Voices of Cancer helps educate, dispel fears, and start positive conversations about what a cancer diagnosis truly means, while shining a light on how best to support a loved one on their own terms.

Excerpt

The Review

By now, cancer has become so invasive that everyone is impacted, whether by the disease itself or as a caregiver.

Knowing that each patient’s journey is different, author Lynda Wolters compiled insights for patients and those supporting them in her book Voices of Cancer.

Divided into four parts, the author delivers perspectives from patients and their caregivers relating to initial reactions, surviving treatment, the new normal, and making the most of life.

Her point that people don’t know what to say or do when someone has cancer emphasizes the necessity of educating people about the need for emotional support on behalf of both the patient and the caregiver.

In sharing her personal story, along with feedback from others, the author demonstrates how to interact with and support cancer patients. By pointing out the wrong things to say, she provides clear guidance.

Cancer patients often experience a drastic shift in priorities, focusing on what is most important in the time they have left. That information is helpful when supporting a cancer patient.

Using a conversational tone, the author tackles tough issues that may be painful for some readers who have been personally impacted by cancer. However, the points she makes are incredibly helpful.

Voices of Cancer delivers insights for cancer patients and the people supporting them as they find themselves on an unexpected path in life.

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About The Author

Lynda was born and raised in a tiny farming community of 400 in northern Idaho. She worked on the family farm, with her first job being picking rocks out of the fields and ultimately graduating up the ladder to driving a grain truck and combine during harvest. Following high school, Lynda continued her education in Las Vegas before she moved back home to Idaho to raise her three sons.

Lynda still resides in Idaho with her husband and their peekapoo, Max.

Lynda has worked in the legal field for 30+ years and enjoys ballroom and swing dancing, horseback riding, kayaking, and river rafting. She has a heart for people and enjoys regularly volunteering. She spends the bulk of her spare time reading and writing.

Lynda was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) in August 2016. She touts herself as being a thriving warrior of the disease.

Lynda has completed two books of nonfiction: Voices of Cancer, released in October 2019, and Voices of LGBTQ+, released in August 2020.

The Placeholder, Lynda’s debut novel, was released in November 2022.

Lynda has published the following articles: Navigating the Workplace with Chemo Brain, February 23, 2020, Elephants and Tea. and When Masks Weren’t Popular, March 24, 2020, Patient Power. She has spoken on several podcasts, been a guest on a local talk show regarding Voices of Cancer, and given interviews for other outlets and print.

Jane Brody wrote up Voices of Cancer in the New York Times, her article entitled What to Say to Someone with Cancer, on January 13, 2020, with a follow-up on January 20, 2020, entitled, When Life Throws You a Curveball, Embrace the New Normal.

The Chinese translation rights of Voices of Cancer have been purchased by a grant to offer the book to medical students in Tawain.

Lynda donates Voices of Cancer books and a portion of its proceeds to Epic Experience, a nonprofit camp for adult survivors and thrivers of cancer located in Colorado.