It is difficult to read of Heather St. Aubin-Stout’s journey
through two bouts of cancer in one
year. Her narrative describes not only
the psychologically- and physically-tiring “job” of having cancer, the
disruption in an entire family’s life, and the debilitating effects of biopsies,
surgeries, and chemo—but also the personal and interpersonal details of the
support on her journey. She
juxtaposes the support of her friends
and family members via email letters while describing the details of three long
and tiring years of her life. Her
journey with others along for support is also contrasted with her mother’s journey
as the latter suffered, and eventually died, from the same cancer. St. Aubin-Stout’s abiding faith, general
optimism, and desire to tell the story of her journey is emotionally-wrenching,
but unbelievably uplifting.
