Review of First Survivor
-
Najma Baksh
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 19 Apr 2017, 13:15
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 10
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-najma-baksh.html
- Latest Review: Play Golf Better Faster: The Classic Guide to Optimizing Your Performance and Building Your Best Fast by Kalliope Barlis
Review of First Survivor
[Following is a volunteer review of "First Survivor" by Mark Unger.]
First Survivor by Mark Unger is the inspiring story of his son, Louis Unger, who survived childhood neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer with a 50% survival rate. At age three, Louis’s parents noticed he began to walk differently and had grown quiet. After a visit to the pediatrician, Louis was eventually diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Initially, he was thought to have Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, but his symptoms quickly worsened. He became irritable and frustrated, often complaining of leg pain. Louis’s case remains memorable for his doctors as one of the rarest cases of childhood cancer they had encountered. Although Dr. Germain first suspected Perthes disease, a follow-up blood test suggested severe anemia, prompting Mark and Mary Ellen to rush Louis to the nearest children’s hospital. Louis’s journey was filled with many ups and downs, and uncertainty as symptoms fluctuated and treatments didn't always work as planned. However, this biography beautifully narrates how Louis persevered against cancer with positivity and patience.
The entire biographical narrative is well-written and rich in detail. The positive aspects of the book stem from Mark Unger’s ability to share every aspect of Louis’s journey, including medical reports, terminology, and the most challenging moments for Louis and his family. Mark Unger leaves no detail unmentioned, making the reading experience very real, graphic, and impactful. The book's vivid writing allows readers to imagine every step of the journey. At times, you may cry as you resonate with a family member, while at other times, you'll be in awe of the family's support and determination to see Louis through.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for its flawless writing and meaningful, beautiful sentiments and messages. This book is not only a biography of Louis’s cancer journey but also a guide for anyone navigating the difficult world of cancer, especially childhood cancer. Mark Unger’s detailed narrative helps readers understand diagnoses, difficult terms, and how to seek help from medical professionals without feeling overwhelmed. He teaches fellow parents of children with cancer how to find their voice and fight till the end without feeling like they or the medical professionals failed.
I recommend this book to anyone currently battling cancer or who knows someone battling it. In a world where cancer is a rampant illness, destroying lives and breaking families apart, compassion and patience are crucial. Mark Unger’s book is not just about surviving cancer; it addresses those difficult moments when families may not know how to move forward, or when sleepless nights affect one's frame of mind. I strongly believe in learning from the stories of others, and through Louis’s story, many people can see that survival is possible, that giving up is not an option, and that having a support system is perhaps the most significant part of survival.
******
First Survivor
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
First Survivor by Mark Unger is the inspiring story of his son, Louis Unger, who survived childhood neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer with a 50% survival rate. At age three, Louis’s parents noticed he began to walk differently and had grown quiet. After a visit to the pediatrician, Louis was eventually diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Initially, he was thought to have Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, but his symptoms quickly worsened. He became irritable and frustrated, often complaining of leg pain. Louis’s case remains memorable for his doctors as one of the rarest cases of childhood cancer they had encountered. Although Dr. Germain first suspected Perthes disease, a follow-up blood test suggested severe anemia, prompting Mark and Mary Ellen to rush Louis to the nearest children’s hospital. Louis’s journey was filled with many ups and downs, and uncertainty as symptoms fluctuated and treatments didn't always work as planned. However, this biography beautifully narrates how Louis persevered against cancer with positivity and patience.
The entire biographical narrative is well-written and rich in detail. The positive aspects of the book stem from Mark Unger’s ability to share every aspect of Louis’s journey, including medical reports, terminology, and the most challenging moments for Louis and his family. Mark Unger leaves no detail unmentioned, making the reading experience very real, graphic, and impactful. The book's vivid writing allows readers to imagine every step of the journey. At times, you may cry as you resonate with a family member, while at other times, you'll be in awe of the family's support and determination to see Louis through.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for its flawless writing and meaningful, beautiful sentiments and messages. This book is not only a biography of Louis’s cancer journey but also a guide for anyone navigating the difficult world of cancer, especially childhood cancer. Mark Unger’s detailed narrative helps readers understand diagnoses, difficult terms, and how to seek help from medical professionals without feeling overwhelmed. He teaches fellow parents of children with cancer how to find their voice and fight till the end without feeling like they or the medical professionals failed.
I recommend this book to anyone currently battling cancer or who knows someone battling it. In a world where cancer is a rampant illness, destroying lives and breaking families apart, compassion and patience are crucial. Mark Unger’s book is not just about surviving cancer; it addresses those difficult moments when families may not know how to move forward, or when sleepless nights affect one's frame of mind. I strongly believe in learning from the stories of others, and through Louis’s story, many people can see that survival is possible, that giving up is not an option, and that having a support system is perhaps the most significant part of survival.
******
First Survivor
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
