Mirth is God's Medicine

Told from the unique perspective of an internist, someone keenly familiar with the ins and outs of the medical system, Dr. Heather Thompson provides a glimpse into the therapeutic process, seen through the fresh eyes of a vulnerable patient. From her vantage point, she soon realizes that we are all connected, and that the medical journey of one woman's breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care involves a whole host of individuals from the radiologist who reads the scans to the scheduler who facilitates appointments. --Margaret Lesh, Author of Let Me Get This Off My Chest: A Breast Cancer Survivor Over-Shares Every woman's journey through breast cancer is different, driven by the biology and stage of disease as well as personal treatment preferences. But, all share the common experience of dealing with the possibility, and then the reality, of a potentially life threatening diagnosis. In Mirth is God's Medicine, Heather Thompson provides us with a frank, often humorous account of the experience of a physician navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The variety of coping strategies and support systems she employs offer something for all patients and their families. For medical professionals, this candid description of a self described evidence based practitioners thought processes and reactions to diagnosis and treatment provides valuable insights into why purely fact based discussions about treatment don't always achieve the desired results and reminds us that regardless of background and education, a new breast cancer diagnosis is often overwhelming. --Monica Morrow, MD, Chief of Breast Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York and author of Managing Breast Cancer Risk, Diseases of the Breast, and Breast Cancer for Dummies For anyone who has dealt with, or is in the process of dealing with, a serious physical diagnosis, and for all attending physicians, this book will move you deeply. It offers a wealth of insight into ways of approaching each step along the way, told through the mind and heart of a physician, now also a patient who is sharing what she is going through as it takes place. From breaking the news to spouse and children, to dealing with fears and mental projections, to listening to one's own needs and inner wisdom, this book makes the entire enterprise one of exploration and learning, as one deals with all the challenges that present themselves. This book is not about hiding from what's happening, but about allowing the experience of each step to teach you what you need to know as you go. It is the perfect example of the way in which life supports you when you are open and receptive, no matter the situation. --Sarah Susanka, best-selling author of The Not So Big House and The Not So Big Life series After a breast cancer diagnosis lands her on the other side of the stethoscope, author Heather Thompson Buum writes with delightful candor about what happens when the doctor becomes the patient. Mirth is God's Medicine is an insightful, inspiring read for those us looking for joy on some of life's most difficult journeys. --Roxane Battle, former Kare 11 News Anchor and Author, Pockets of Joy