Review of First Survivor

[Deretha Thompson]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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Louis Unger of the Unger household was a three-year-old lively, bubbly child until sometime in August 2001, when his mother, Mary Ellen, noticed that Louis had developed a sort of gait and had become quieter than usual. They visited the family pediatrician who diagnosed young Louis with Perthes disease, which he also says can go away as the child grows. This is not the case, as Louis's teacher also reports bouts of fatigue and
unexpected naps, which Mary Ellen confirms. 
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They take him to the hospital for another round of tests, where he is diagnosed again, but this time with cancer. The doctors suspect AML or ALL types, but further exams show he is suffering from a rare form of cancer, stage IV neuroblastoma. The family is devastated by the news but puts up a brave face for young Louis, assuring themselves that all would be alright if they could only get the best treatment for their son. This book records Louis' harrowing ordeal and the series of challenges the family would face as they progressed.
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I have always enjoyed reading books with a medical undertone, and this was no different. Young Louis's experiences, as detailed by his father, sent chills down my spine a couple of times and left me wondering how much the young lad could take. I was always amazed when pictures popped up within the book, mostly showing Louis with a conquering smile despite the ordeal he was going through. I also admired Mark's determination to give his son the best care possible. Although he had the least knowledge concerning his son's illness, treatment, and the medical jargon being thrown around, he made up for it by reading and researching every subject he could document. I also like that the diction was written, and the glossary at the end was super helpful.
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I disliked nothing about this book; it is inspirational, emotional, and highly educative. I must also talk about Mary Ellen, Louis's mother; she was a literal pillar during that time, holding the family together and ensuring her ailing son received the best attention she could offer. I only spotted one grammatical error while reading; the rest of the book was edited well. First Survivor by Mark Unger receives 5 out of 5 stars for the reasons listed above. I recommend it to lovers of nonfiction and those who have a relative facing cancer or are in a hopeless situation themselves.

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First Survivor
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