THE GRACE OF CANCER

A woman finds inner strength and overcomes a cancer diagnosis in this debut memoir/self-help book.

Villanueva can still remember the day in September 2016 when doctors told her she had six months to live. After rushing to the ER, unable to breathe, she received a terrifying diagnosis: She had stage 4 lung cancer, which held almost no hope of recovery. However, her reaction was not what readers might expect, as she responded with defiance rather than fear: “I heard the death sentence they gave me, but all I could think was, these doctors do not know who they’re talking to or what I am capable of achieving!” She underwent targeted drug therapy, and her fearless attitude would serve her well as she started her own pursuit of a healthy living. It wasn’t easy, and the author makes it clear that it required a fierce level of commitment as well as courage. Over the course of her book, she lays out the exact steps that she took to improve her health, which included making a conscious decision to go on living. It also included healthier eating habits, and she helpfully provides lists and recommendations of produce and other items that she currently keeps stocked in her pantry, and there are delicious recipes to get readers started on the path that she took. Her journal exercises encourage deeper reflection, and her book explains the power of developing a personal healing mantra. Villanueva’s tone is earnest yet compassionate throughout; it’s clear that she seeks to educate and inspire her readers. In addition to her own insights, she incorporates quotations and excerpts from medical professionals as well as scientific bases for her advice. What makes this book stand out, though, is the fact that Villanueva doesn’t merely advise readers on how to take on a cancer diagnosis, but also how to get out of their own way while doing so.

An uplifting, courageous book about the healing power within.