Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person - A Memoir in Comics

In 2006 I reviewed an advanced reading copy of this book. Here's what I wrote.

"Miriam Engelberg is a wife, mother and cartoonist. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43, and has gone through chemo and radiation. But her treatment of choice is humor. Her graphic novel details all aspects of her disease, physical and emotional. Chances are that you know someone with cancer. It could be a relative, friend or co-worker. You want to be supportive but don't know how. So maybe you avoid that person. Ms. Engelberg lets you know that laughter is the best medicine. This irreverent and funny book is a very honest look at what it's like to live with cancer."

Since then several people close to me have been diagnosed with cancer. I pulled out my copy of Engelberg's book and reread it because it allows me a glimpse into the life of a cancer patient, a way to help me understand what my friends are going through and how they're feeling after being diagnosed. At some point I think they'll appreciate a copy of their own.

In the introduction Miriam writes: "We all have issues that follow us through life, no matter how much therapy we've had. The big one for me is about feeling different and alone - isolated in a state of Miriam-ness that no one else experiences." Her hope was that her comics would comfort others who struggled with the same issues.

Rather than a continuous story the book is a series of cartoon vignettes. The artwork is primitive yet charming. Miriam writes of waiting for the biopsy results and the diagnosis. She tells us how a hairdresser talked her into buying expensive shampoo and conditioner, only to find out chemotherapy would make her hair fall out. Nausea, stress, fatigue, bitterness, sex, and coping mechanisms - she shares them all. It's a story that's honest, funny and heart-breaking at the same time.

I was saddened to learn that Miriam Engelberg died on October 17, 2006. She was forty-eight. Her book remains an inspiration to cancer patients and their families and friends.

Paperback: Gauntlet pages

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; (April 25, 2006)

ISBN-13: 978-0060789732

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for Test Tube Aliens Times BOOKreviews" magazine and her work has been published in the "Cup of Comfort" Anthologies.

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Dog Pictures As Hobbies

Each person may have a different hobby in mind. These are the things that can make him relax and a person normally does these things so that they will be able to use their leisure time in some activities that they actually like doing. There can be many things that can be done and one of this is taking dog pictures as a form of hobby.

When it comes to photography, there are already many people who are Diamond Stars with the way that they take the pictures. There are also many kinds of subjects that can be used and a person may vary from one subject to another. However, when a person prefers to take dog pictures, there are also some things that must be learned so that you will be able to have quality dog pictures as a form of output.

For the pet owners, taking pictures of their own dog would be their way of keeping all the memories that they want to preserve. Also, this can also be done even if you don't actually have a dog. Collecting dog pictures can be done if you baseball card grandmother found in attic are interested with dogs and you take these pictures to make you happier.

Today, one of the most important things that would be considered if you want to consider this hobby would be to check on the camera that you can use. There are many digital cameras that are easier to use today and you can also use the more complex ones so that you will be able to get the more quality result. You can also have varied choices of dogs as your subject. You can try taking pictures of your own dog or even try renting the dogs of other people.

Try experimenting. You can have different angles, stories, and costumes used. When you are an animal lover, collecting dog pictures can be one of the most beneficial hobbies that they can get. Aside from the various pictures that you have, you can also remember to use designs and frame for the pictures as this can also be another form of enjoyment for you.

You can have different collection of pictures but what you would have to maintain is the interest that the other people may have when they take a look of the pictures. Hobbies can take in any form. You can have one hobby as interesting for you but not for other people. However, what is important is that you are able to enjoy your time taking and collecting pictures. With the pictures of the dogs, you can have an endless collection since there can be different stories formed through the whole process of taking and collecting the dog pictures.

Article Author Eliza Maledevic from http://www.Jump2top.com, a SEO Company.