Cancer Time Bomb: How the BRCA Gene Stole My Tits and Eggs - Softcover

Burnette, Joelle B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1475152213 ISBN 13: 9781475152210

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012

Synopsis

After finding out she tested positive for the BRCA genetic mutation, "Cancer Time Bomb" is Joelle Burnette’s non-fiction narrative about her prophylactic journey to becoming a “previvor” and free from breast and ovarian cancers. Balancing a serious subject with sarcasm and humor, this powerful story chronicles Joelle’s 3-year odyssey as she justifies slicing away healthy parts of her body that have high odds of producing cancer. While pressured by surgeons and family to take drastic measures that would remove cancer’s potential threat, she offers insight into what it feels like to face these significant decisions while not having cancer, and knowing there’s that miniscule chance the disease may never strike. Offering raw honesty, she reveals the darker side of choosing TRAM Flap reconstruction after a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. She details the challenging, long recovery as she comes to terms with her choices and their impact on her as a woman, daughter, mother and wife. Breast cancer had already impacted or taken the lives of several family members. Moreover, it was supposed to kill Joelle’s sister in 1994, according to the doctors' grave predictions. Regardless, 32-year-old Michelle suffered through powerful chemotherapy treatments and a painful bone marrow transplant to beat the odds and become a survivor. Thereafter, doctors had told the family, Michelle likely would die if she ever got cancer again. When she was diagnosed and survived a second breast cancer more than a decade later, Michelle’s cancer triggered a series of events leading to Joelle’s own battle to remain cancer-free. Michelle fought cancer again while the health of these sisters’ father deteriorated after years of diabetes. All the while, caring for everyone was Joelle’s mother, Arlene, who played the strongest supportive role. Arlene remained by her daughter’s side while Joelle carried out the proactive steps to avoid cancer and stay alive for her two young children. BOOK BONUS: The author’s tips on how to prepare for a TRAM Flap procedure. Find out what you may need to get set up before your surgery, items to have handy in the hospital, and what to have ready when you return home after your hospital stay. Parental discretion is advised.

About this title

About the Author

Joelle Burnette was a writer for a New York Times daily newspaper in Northern California after having written for other newspapers. In 2014, she was awarded Gold by an international magazine association for her feature writing. Currently, she is a web content producer for KRON 4 News. Prior to receiving her master's in journalism from Stanford University, her writing experience also extended to her work in television news in San Francisco, congressional offices on Capitol Hill and in California, and media relations on presidential and other regional political campaigns. 

Burnette grew up around fine artists, including her mother, grandfather and sister. Burnette has won several top awards for her paintings and photography, and she taught art to elementary school students. View the family art at 4GenerationArtists.com. She has used her paintings as illustrations in her children's books: Freedom Doesn't Just Come Along with a Tree, and in production, Magic Peas and Two Front Teeth.

When she isn't writing, Burnette enjoys camping, traveling, photography, painting, swimming and spending time with her family.

Visit her website and blog, JoelleBurnette.net for a look inside her books, and more author event news.

MORE ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Facebook author page: facebook.com/Joelle.Burnette.Author
"Cancer Time Bomb" book trailer: bit.ly/IEF4VR 
Twitter: @joelleburnette

Review

"It's compelling."--Henry TenenbaumKRON-TV, San Francisco

"Cancer Time Bomb is anything but depressing...the book offers an intimate, messy and at times hilarious family portrait."--J Weekly, San Francisco

"A brave story."--Michelle MarquesKSRO radio

"No matter how angry, bitter, profane, hopeful and crazy-brave her book reveals the (author) to be, Burnette never reneges on her promise to tell the truth..."--Press Democrat, Santa Rosa

"Cancer Time Bomb is just as frank as its title implies...the themes of anxiety, courage and family are universal."
--Gabe Meline, EditorBohemian (Marin, Sonoma, Napa counties)"This book is hilarious, sad, terrifying, and completely informative. I learned more about breast cancer, treatments, and basically what it's like from this one book than I have from anything else."
--Sara Strand, book reviewer
Sara's Organized Chaos

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1475152213
• ISBN 13: 9781475152210
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 290