Her job is stressful, her marriage is on the rocks, and she’s just been diagnosed with lymphoma. “Wait, It Gets Worse” tackles the tough stuff with clear-eyed honesty and an unrelenting sense of humor.

WAIT IT GETS WORSE

“Wait it Gets Worse” by Lydia Slaby

Her job is stressful, her marriage is on the rocks, and she’s just been diagnosed with lymphoma. “Wait, It Gets Worse” tackles the tough stuff with clear-eyed honesty and an unrelenting sense of humor.

At just 33 years old, Lydia Slaby feels stuck in an unfulfilling career and tumultuous marriage. And then it gets worse: She’s diagnosed with cancer. Slaby’s new memoir is a testament to living and letting go, as she learns to jettison the things that no longer serve her while in treatment for lymphoma.

“Wait, It Gets Worse” tackles a question many cancer survivors face: What comes next? Despite feeling relief when her tests start routinely coming back as “no evidence of disease,” Slaby finds herself missing the way hospital life helped her dial into her deepest spiritual needs. Her desire to seek spiritual fulfillment sparks a journey of “letting go” that allows her to experiment with the uncomfortable, from splitting logs with her sister to crying in a sweat lodge, ultimately abandoning the search for perfection.

“Sometimes we think we know what’s serving us, but then we end up getting sick, or heartbroken, or without a job in a weird city, and that’s not a good sign,” Slaby says. “If you’re paying attention, your body and circumstances will tell you.”

“Wait, It Gets Worse” delivers a powerful lesson to the anxious human in all of us, whether or not our lives have been touched by cancer. Physical recovery aside, Slaby confronts emotional healing by learning to listen to signs from her body, her intuition, and the world around her. Journeying through love, her career, and cancer recovery, she learns to relinquish control and embrace life as it comes.

“Sometimes, you don’t know you’ll be okay until after you’ve taken the leap, but in the meantime, what are you supposed to do?” Slaby asks. “Taking the leap is super scary, but on the other side is this emotional calmness that serves in so many amazing ways.” Disruption Books, March 2019, $17.00

FAREWELL“Farewell” by Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

What happens when a loved one’s life comes to an end? How do family members face the inevitable? In “Farewell,” Edward T. Creagan, M.D., refuses to shy away from the tough questions that complicate end-of-life care. A longtime palliative care physician at the Mayo Clinic, Creagan offers clarity in regards to hospice, palliative care, and grief, while making suggestions to prioritize comfort and quality of life. “Farewell” provides insight into medical responses, illustrative anecdotes, and a question-and-answer guide for family members facing difficult conversations, making it a powerful resource for caregivers, family members, and health care professionals alike.

Write on Ink Publishing, August 2018, $19.95

SWEET REMEDIES“Sweet Remedies” by Dawn Combs

Herbalist and beekeeper Dawn Combs has a recipe for everything. In her latest release, Combs aims to reintroduce the healing power of honey to mainstream society, from electuaries (healing tonics mixed with honey) to infusions and handmade, herbal supplements. Drawing upon the deeply historical and cross-cultural tradition of medicinal honey and herbs, “Sweet Remedies” offers blends for the common cold, body aches, insomnia, mental clarity, and more. Combs’ optimism.  and a newfound understanding of medicinal herbs, honey remedies,tices will delight readers.

Storey Publishing, April 2019, $19.95

More
articles

RECOVER
Breast Cancer

Got You Covered

In this month’s Everyday Runway column, Melissa Berry shares her favorite items in her “Ultimate Post-Mastectomy Survival Kit” so readers can look and feel their best all day!

Read More »
telehealth
Complementary Medicine

Five Things You Need to Know About Telehealth

Since the 1960s, telehealth has been an essential component of military and space technology development. Over time, the technology became more accessible to health care professionals as a useful tool to provide patient care globally.

Read More »
PANDEMIC PEACE
Breast Cancer

Finding Peace in a Pandemic

With the arrival of COVID-19 comes bouts of uncertainty, but a lot can be learned from warriors’ experiences with cancer and channeling resilience.

Read More »
DR JESSICA SHEPHERD
Ask the Doctor

Closing the Gap

TV personality and OB-GYN Dr. Jessica Shepherd understands the importance of addressing health disparities from every angle.

Read More »
TALK ABOUT CANCER PODCAST
(Y)our Stories

Talk Off

Catharsis and community abound in “Talk About Cancer,” a weekly podcast featuring warriors, caregivers and more speaking candidly about their cancer experience.

Read More »
MISS NIKKI CANCER
(Y)our Stories

Cancer Queen

Miss Nikki gets real (funny) about the practical benefits of her mastectomy and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Read More »