Not the Breast Year of My Life: Finding Hope and Resilience After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

I read this from start to finish in one sitting, because I could not put it down. Cara drew me in with her honesty, her wit, and her relatability, and I found myself feeling the whole range of emotions as I turned the pages. This book is a lifeline for those in the “darkest days” of a new diagnosis, as well as a guidebook for those wondering how to best help and support a loved one battling this dreadful disease. Cara doesn’t hold back in sharing the good, the bad, and the very ugly when it comes to breast cancer treatment, but it feels like it’s coming from the best friend who is just looking out for you and holding your hand through it all, rather than from some nameless person who is trying to scare you with statistics. I will be wholeheartedly recommending this book to everyone I know. Thanks for putting this wonderful book out into the universe, Cara.

Having just finished treatment for the same type and stage of cancer, I could relate to every word in this book. Cara’s writing is raw and relatable. Her story brought tears to my eyes as I relived my own experience alongside hers. Thank you for putting it all into words. May you continue to lead a long, beautiful, purposeful, snuggle-filled life.

Cara’s story is brave and raw. She doesn’t sugarcoat her experience so that people at the beginning of their fight know what they can expect, people in the middle of the fight find solidarity or people at the end can look back and know they weren’t alone. She tells the story of her breast cancer journey in the midst of two other significant life and global events. Cara doesn’t bog down the truth with hard-to-understand medical terms and a bunch of statistics. Reading this book was like sitting with a friend who was telling me the ups and downs - the tragedies and triumphs - the get down and trudge forward of it all that led to a new found resilience, power and grace. This truth is a must for anyone going through this personally or a friend or loved one watching someone go through this. Her story will leave you feel empowered, educated and rooting for what’s next.

This book is a must-read, and not just for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. As a middle-aged male whose knowledge of breast cancer was quite limited prior to reading Cara's book, I learned a tremendous amount about what patients go through.... the ups and downs; the emotional swings; and the resilience it takes to beat such an awful disease. Cara's writing is so detailed, so honest, that it feels like you are right there in the room with her. Her book managed to be simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. It will inspire you to live every day to the fullest, and to never take life for granted.

I am a breast cancer survivor and I absolutely loved this book! You feel like you have known her forever and she is so real and if I would have had this book before my diagnosis it would’ve really helped me! Once you start reading this, you can not put it down! I read it in 2 days. Cara you seriously wrote an amazing, real, beautiful, funny and sad book that should help 1000’s of women! Family and friends of Breast Cancer Thrivers should also read this! Waiting for the next book ;)

Cara's journey through triple negative breast cancer is heart-wrenching, uplifting, and yet pragmatic. As a mother of two young children, her singular focus was to survive the deadliest form of this terrible disease. She poignantly describes her journey through a devastating diagnosis, brutal treatment, and tentative recovery. As she says, "Breast cancer is a thief...it is NOT pink ribbons, and it is NOT fair." Cara notes how denial of critical tests by her insurance company made her path unnecessarily more difficult. And yet, she became surrounded by a "tribe" of women who enriched her life during a terrible time and continue to do so as she navigates through recovery. This book is a must read for every woman who has or knows someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Have your tissues ready!

If you’ve experienced any cancer detour on life’s journey, you know books on the topic can be scary. This book is not. Cara’s direct manner and thoughtful delivery of a tough topic are purposeful. She shares a unique yet relatable experience with care and humor. If you are going through a diagnosis or if a loved one is- I’m sorry- this book may help. If you’ve been through a diagnosis/surgery/treatment, Cara’s words may help heal your emotional wounds as you see experiences and feelings like yours on the pages of her book.

It is very difficult to find the right words to describe Cara’s book because I want to do it justice. This book is not a one time read. It is a tool you will use as you stumble through your breast cancer journey; a journey that never ends once it begins. Cara’s journey is selfless, inspirational, deep…anyone who has ever been diagnosed with breast cancer will read this book and feel that this book was written about them. Dark Days, The Chair, the storm, the wind, Godwink, health insurance anxiety, and the overwhelming obstacle of moving forward after treatment and surgery. Cara, thank you!

While the book was delivered promptly, it is not what I expected. At the beginning the writer says this is the book you will want if you need a hug or something like that. Instead, I got very terrified and it was a very stressful read. The writer was undergoing a separation from the spouse and had 2 very small kids so her stress was enormous. Note that this stress transfers to the reader. After reading the book, I was so terrified and lost courage. Be warned it is not an easy read but perhaps true to the writer's experience.

Easy to read, relatable book. She goes through everything you will be experiencing from diagnosis to chemo and recovery in a heartfelt true-worded journal.