Sexy and Sassy Tools for Confusing Cancer
Written: Oct 30 '07 (Updated Oct 30 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sense of humor, sassiness, tips, Cancer Posse
Cons: Might be too off-the-wall for raw emotions
The Bottom Line: Unfortunately we all know someone diagnosed, or who will be diagnosed with cancer, and how to help is awkward despite your best intentions. Read this before, during, or anytime.
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| pestyside's Full Review: Kris Carr and Sheryl Crow - Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips |
Cancer needs a new face and Kris Carr vows to provide a fresh perspective. On Valentine’s Day 2003 her body announced she had cancer, although it probably made the declaration somewhat earlier her doctor gave it a voice. There’s a new book in town and it’s ready to take on the challenge and fears faced by anyone hearing their doctor’s apologetic diagnosis.
Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips from actress, photographer, and personality-plus Kris Carr just learned she has lots of cancer all over her liver. Her book documents her revelations and journey into this unknown world, one that far too many people enter. It took her a while to develop a personal strategy for dealing with her health. Her first thoughts and questions, "Why?," are recorded in journal entries and her first self-portraits were preserved and using these and much more she created this new tool for anyone diagnosed with the Big C.
Kris Carr approaches her cancer with creativity. Her cancer is incurable so what does she have to lose? Rather than hiding from the world filled with self-pity and loathing, she takes a different approach—very different.
My sister is a breast cancer survivor who struggled with relationships, her marriage, and her view of life. She finds a lot of comfort in a strong network of female friends. As a medical professional she dedicates much of her life to helping other women with their entire journey from pre- to post-treatment. Her health spa addresses their medical needs as well as their self-images. She is one of the most energetic people I’ve ever known and I admire her enthusiasm for life. Her response is that she has been given a new life, that she has a fresh perspective, and now has a responsibility. Until very recently it has been her primary passion.
Because of my sister’s feelings and her enthusiasm I don’t find Kris Carr’s candid book shocking, but instead refreshing. The chance for me to develop breast cancer is always there, although it has been more than eight years since my younger sister was diagnosed and treated. Meeting the members of the survivor club was helpful; these are some sexy, amazing, and beautiful women who wouldn’t say no or lie down and die.
Kris’s Book
She needed a new tool for dealing with, and possibly to confuse, her cancer. At first it was a trip to a healthy food store for lots of fresh vegetables and unprocessed foods, but she needed more. She went to the internet, bookstores, and help groups. She found a group of women facing similar concerns. Her book describes her tool. Later she produced a video. I really want to find her video. This book concludes with 77 tips—some seem funny, some heartbreaking, some impudent, and all straightforward. She doesn’t hold back on her thoughts or her explorations. Some of her most important tips include:
1. Create a cancer posse. Find a sassy support group of others who laugh, who understand, and who have their own stories. Support groups are available everywhere, but find the group that won’t pull you down but instead lift you. She made her own group, which consisted of 13 women that includes a cancer activist, photo directors of national magazine, model and founder of ‘Bald is Beautiful’. They contributed their personal stories and I can see why Kris wanted them in her posse.
5. Take time to mourn. Give yourself time to process the news and time to develop strategies for mental management.
6. Expect the “why me?” cancer blues. Don’t bottle it up but give yourself a three-day rule. After three days she says to herself, "lady, you are a survivor and someone who goes the distance; this isn’t about the sprint—it’s about the long haul."
Each chapter concludes with a summarized list of points. Seek second and third opinions, understand insurance and options, ask friends to accompany you to your doctor’s appointments (second set of ears) or take a voice recorder. These are only a few tips summarized at the end of chapter three. In one chapter she suggests a pink wig, in another preserve your eggs.
44. Do what makes you feel better and gives you hope. She uses personal experiences from her Cancer Posse.
45. Take a moment and acknowledge the co-survivors in your life. ‘Co-survivors are the Crazy Sexy Cancer Angels, the wonderful family, best friends, and even pets who stick by your side and care for you through thick and thin. They are the sturdy behind-the-scenes folks who make the show go on. These people have grit, grace, and backbone. Let them know how thankful you are—they need to hear it.’
She advises taking a cancercation or some therapeutic journaling, but also eating healthy and detoxifying your body, splurging on lacy underwear, and releasing the inner sex goddess. Understand this is not a medical manual, nor is Kris a medical professional. This is intended to share personal experiences. Readers will pick and chose what makes sense, but her attitude is contagious.
Through the process of writing this book she create a documentary film of the journey. Why not, she has surrounded herself with some amazing and talented women. She explores sexual relationships, dating, marriage and having babies. I laughed as I read through her philosophies about when to use and not use the “cancer card.” My heart (and various body parts) ached in sympathy as she walked us through her candid moments of first discoveries.
Sheryl Crow’s forward advises, “Let’s face it, life is a constant challenge. It’s full of unexpected detours that no one but you can navigate." She describes her personal detour and once again we realize cancer does not discriminate. I’ve never been diagnosed but know the possibility exists. I’d like to think that Kris, Sheryl, the entire Cancer Posse and my sister have all shared enough experience to help me handle it with their same level of grace and humor.
Quotes appropriately placed provide insight or laughter. Some come from unexpected sources: "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.—John Wayne" Profiles of various contributors are placed on “cards” with personal information from the contributor including favorite saying and best tips.
Kris Carr’s book is playful and poignant while also filled with inspiration. Cancer is not something to be taken lightly and she’s not encouraging that, but, she firmly believes that attitude, emotions, nutrition, sleep, and exercise habits help the body resist the battle within. She provides tools to help empower any woman facing cancer. While this could be helpful for men this is definitely written for women. She doesn’t focus on a single form of cancer, although several women are facing breast cancer. Tips are written more for women, such as lipstick can move mountains, cancer babes with breast cancer explore your reconstructions, and indulge in regular beauty rituals. It concludes with a valuable list of resources for websites, blogs, and organizations and as she states, some “awesome sites for young adults with cancer.” She offers four sites for getting information on wigs. In the book we have fun with some of her friends as they explore wigs. My vote was for the pink wig.
Potential members of a Cancer Posse might want to read this especially if the affected person is your best friend or best sister. Don’t expect medical advise or information on specific forms of cancer.
So, after you are finished throwing fits, kicking down walls, screaming and yelling about the unfairness, crying and mourning, then I hope you can wrap it all together long enough to get some guidance from a counselor, a comedian, and from Kris Carr. This is far from being a depressing, fact-filled book about cancer, but an uplifting, playful tool that can guide women through the first revelations and the journey. And remember, if you need to go in for that one dreaded exam knowing that the outcome is likely to be cancer, wear something to complement the immodest gown, something that gives you power. She wore her cowboy boots and with that image firmly planted you know the tone of Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips.
This is an entry in Laurashrti's Breast Cancer Awareness Write-off.
Recommended:
Yes
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