Review of First Survivor

[Tommy Mayengbam]

[Following is a volunteer review of "First Survivor" by Mark Unger.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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First and foremost, let me emphasize that "First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough" by Mark Unger is not a book you read merely to pass the time. It stands as one of the most comprehensive narratives on cancer, specifically Neuroblastoma, and you should approach it with a purposeful mindset.

In November 2001, on the day before Thanksgiving, Mark Unger’s 3-year-old son, Louis, received a devastating diagnosis: Neuroblastoma, a rare disease with a very slim chance of survival. The fragile three-year-old endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy and underwent painful procedures that no innocent soul deserves. After the painful ordeal, the parents received an "All clear" from the physicians, only to realize weeks later that the cancer had relapsed, and this time, the chances of survival were none.

Will Louis make it? If so, how, especially considering the zero survival rate? I encourage you to grab this book and discover the answer for yourself.

Honestly, with thousands of medical terms and drug names, this wasn’t an easy read. Many times, I felt overwhelmed. However, the book wouldn’t hold the same value without these terminologies.

I like this book from several perspectives. As mentioned earlier, this book is a comprehensive book for anyone with a child going through Neuroblastoma. It is no less than an informative guidebook covering everything from symptoms and treatments to details about doctors and hospitals. One aspect that deeply touched me is how, despite their significant responsibility in caring for Louis, they made earnest efforts to ensure that Harry felt loved and cared for.

This book also taught me valuable lessons about persistence and overcoming obstacles. It serves as a powerful reminder that there's nothing we cannot achieve when we set our minds to it. The book is professionally edited. While I did encounter some minor punctuation and hyphenation errors, they did not significantly impact the overall readability.

I have no dislikes about the book, so I confidently give it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves reading because, as mentioned by the doctors, Neuroblastoma shows no signs until it reaches the later stages. Life is uncertain, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. I also recommend it to parents and relatives supporting someone facing a similar painful ordeal. Unger’s meticulous note-keeping and insightful exchanges with experts can be a time-saving resource. Lastly, I recommend this to anyone facing challenging times, no matter the nature of the struggle. If the Unger family triumphed over the seemingly impossible, what might be hindering you from moving forward?

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First Survivor
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[David Samanthaa]

The story of Louis Unger in First Survivor is a touching tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Mark Unger’s heartfelt narration makes this a deeply moving and inspiring read