“A Lighter Side to Cancer is a treasure of information. Sandra Miniere's thorough research shows in her clear explanations of conventional procedures and even more alternative treatment options, and in the numerous enlightening quotes she includes from well-selected experts. She reveals how she combined a variety of useful strategies to ensure her own long-term healing from stage I breast cancer, and candidly shares the mental and emotional journey she went through as well. Being a psychotherapist, Miniere already understood the mind/body/spirit connection and the way she put what she knew into action to manifest a complete recovery and become even stronger and happier is important wisdom for everyone. This book will help many, many people!”
— Tanya Harter Pierce, MA, Author of Outsmart Your Cancer:
Alternative Non-Toxic Treatments That Work
“I was quite taken by Sandra Miniere’s book, A Lighter Side to Cancer; a stunning alchemy of wisdom, humor and insights that makes for a most compelling read... for everyone. Sandra fully understands the mind-body-spirit dynamics and she serves as an excellent guide for your journey into optimal health.”
— Brian Luke Seaward, PhD, Author of Achieving the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection:
A Stress Management Workbook
“I am happy to say that a book like this one is necessary to help us get through the cancer journey. It does have a beginning, and the end comes much later AFTER you live your life. A Lighter Side to Cancer helps make that easier for all of us.
— Ms. Ann Fonfa, Founder and President of The Annie Appleseed Project
“Sandra Miniere’s open and loving heart is right here for you to benefit as well as her clients. Lucky you!”
— Joel Chudnow, Wholistic Health Educator, Tampa, FL
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A Lighter Side to Cancer
From Wake-up Call to Radiant Wellness
By Sandra Miniere, M.Ed.
Copyright © 2012 by Sandra Miniere
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission of the author or publisher.
A Lighter Side to Cancer: From Wake-up Call to Radiant Wellness
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-1020-3
Published by:
Integrative Choices, LLC
Wesley Chapel, FL
www.integrativewellnessexpert.com
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
Dedication
To my beloved father and mother who died
while I was writing this book.
Lung cancer took my father, and
my mother died one year later because
her heart just stopped beating.
They will never hold my book in their hands,
but I know they have it in their hearts.
I miss them every day.
Acknowledgements
Many wonderful people have been a part of my cancer journey and/or this book project. I value and appreciate all of them. Here are a few I want to mention.
Thank you to the authors, doctors, and other health care experts who allowed me to share their wisdom in this book. They contributed to my taking the mystery out of cancer. A special thank you to their assistants too.
Thank you to the book publishers for allowing me to use book excerpts and quotes by their authors that highlight valuable information relevant to my story.
Thank you to the cancer patients who shared their personal cancer stories and healing approaches in this book. They exemplify what is possible when a person takes responsibility for his or her own health and wellbeing.
Thank you to the authors and experts who gave me a statement about my book because they saw something of value in the message. A special thank you goes to Tanya Harter Pierce who gave me feedback that clarified cancer in my mind and in my writing.
I could not have produced this book without the guidance and support I received from the coaches and consultants in Steve and Bill Harrison’s Quantum Leap program. Geoffrey Berwind, my QL coach, was a guiding light throughout the process.
Thank you to my book editor, Deb Bush. She allowed me to be meticulous and obsessive with the layout and copy until we got it right—an incredible undertaking. We took the journey together, and she encouraged me every step of the way.
Thank you to Dotti Albertine who designed the book cover and jacket. She was patient with me throughout the process, and we came up with an image that says radiant wellness. Awesome!
Thank you to my book agents, David and Joel Dunham. They believed in this project and got me started on the path to becoming an author.
To my husband, family members, friends and colleagues who reviewed my book and gave me constructive feedback, you are the greatest! Your belief in me and your encouraging words inspired me to stay focused on telling my story and completing the book.
Thank you to the doctors and health care experts who took the cancer journey with me. My heart is filled with gratitude for the late Dr. Douglas Brodie, Dr. Glenna Wilde, and Auntie Margaret Machado. Their wisdom enabled me to heal.
To all of the courageous children, women and men who have taken on cancer, they are all heroes in my eyes.
This book is for informational purposes only!
This book is a compilation of the author's unique and personal story about the body-mind-spirit approach to recovering from cancer and achieving optimal health. The author's compelling story is revealed, along with advice and perspectives from experts who represent multi-disciplinary approaches to health and overcoming illness. The inclusion of information from any doctor, wellness authority, or other expert does not constitute endorsement of the author's opinions or services, nor of the views of any other doctors, wellness authorities, or other experts included in this book. In addition, stories shared by cancer survivors are their personal accounts of their own journeys and experiences and unless otherwise stated, their views have not been endorsed by the experts, the author, or the publisher.
Despite the expert perspectives contained throughout, the reader is reminded that this book was not written by a medical professional. This book is not intended as, and is not, a substitute for competent medical advice from physicians, mental health professionals, or other health care providers. Proper medical treatment generally requires a range of diagnostic tests and treatments that are medically-supervised and individually-tailored. Nothing here may be used to diagnosis, prescribe or treat any medical or mental health condition. Self-assessment or self-treatment of medical conditions may have serious or life-threatening consequences. For diagnosis or treatment of cancer or any serious medical problem, consult a licensed medical professional. Moreover, professional opinions and approaches may differ. Readers facing serious health concerns are advised to find a medical professional whose manner elicits trust and whose advice they can follow.
Where appropriate, certain references and resources, such as experts, services, books, links to websites and the like, are provided to help the reader obtain more information, and to further research and learn more regarding a particular area. The reader