Embrace Life, Embrace Hope

It's unusual to find a writer, a theme, and a framework that exceeds your expectations; especially if they were high to begin with. Fern Buszowski presents the realities of her cancer journey with deep insight, wisdom, clarity, and of course Life and Hope. As someone who has lost a spouse to the cancer journey and the challenges that often follow it, I was encouraged and equipped by this book, even decades after this loss. One quote of particular significance is from Chapter 4: Perseverance. "When we try to persevere, but end up slipping and failing, we aren't failures, but learners. We're on our way, learning to persevere because of what we value. And as we continue to make decisions based on our values, we embrace a more congruent, unfragmented way of life." This book will help you on your much needed journey to embrace Life, Embrace Hope.

The author writes: “Fear – The diagnosis, surgery, and a lengthy hospital stay were the first stages I had to face. And throughout them, many days were filled with fear. I hate to admit it, but since my diagnosis fear had become the foundation for each new challenge on the road toward healing. Fear was my companion for months, rearing its ugly head especially when I was at my most vulnerable. Fear is the scary unknown future.” (p 9,10) The author then expertly leads the reader through her processing writings as she journaled through this new chapter of her life. Each chapter includes highlights and guided reflections for the reader.

Fern's candor and transparent honesty serve to underscore the integrity with which she writes. She is not merely sharing theory. She opens a window into her own heart in recounting some of the depths of her own suffering in which the Lord met her and through which she lived and continues to live in hope. That is what makes this such a marvelous book that is sure to encourage and strengthen any walking through the valley of serious illness, because it is written by one who has lived in that valley, embraced by hope.

Most of us have had exposure to cancer, whether personally or as friends or family have journeyed through it. How that exposure has affected us is different for each but the thing that is common is that it invades our lives and changes us, filling us with fear and uncertainty. Fern admonishes us to recognize God's presence, knowing our circumstances are not who we are and that God's presence remains with us. The circumstances we find ourselves in can be the start of a new journey. A journey that is of no less value or worth than what our life was prior to cancer, but different. Transformation for the person and those around them. Fern shares practical exercises and skills to incorporate into our lives, to help us experience that transformation and know hope in the midst of pain.

This book is a wonderful resource for anyone facing a challenge, difficulty, grief, or illness … it’s for all of us. The author creatively uses her professional training as a counselor and her personal experience with cancer to weave together a story that is both encouraging and helpful. Her openness about her own challenges in her cancer journey makes it authentic and real. Written from the lens of her faith in God, this book brings hope and encouragement, while providing very practical tools for all people, regardless of their own place of faith. A very good read.

I wish this book had been written earlier when beloved family members were facing the ravages of cancer. How Fern's personal journey through oral cancer would have been a practical helpful resource to them as well as to their caregivers. As a professional counselor, Fern's honesty and vulnerability about counseling herself to Embrace Life and Embrace Hope amidst her own struggles with fear, doubt, despair, and terrible pain is both inspiring and something beautiful to behold. Truly her skill of living well is gained through experience and her intimate relationship with God.