Title: But Not Today: My Journey through Brain Cancer
Author: Doree O’Connell
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1796012651
Pages: 160
Genre: Biography
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Pacific Book Review
Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope.” In author Doree O’Connell’s book But Not Today: My Journey through Brain Cancer, a story of finding that hope takes readers through the emotional and physical journey of a person who must confront the painful reality of being diagnosed with brain cancer.
From the initial symptoms and diagnosis to the immediate rush to brain surgery and recovery, the author takes readers through her own introduction and battle with brain cancer. In this short read, readers get to not only see the ins-and-outs of being diagnosed, treated and recovered from brain surgery and brain cancer, but get to witness the hopeful, matter of fact and honest personality of the author herself as she speaks of her family, her childhood, her own personal memories and the struggle to come to terms with a painful diagnosis while still remaining the hopeful person she was.
This was an emotional read to say the least. From the beginning of this book readers are informed of the author’s loss over a decade after the events of the book, and yet the book is so well written that it feels as if she is standing by you as you read the book. The author speaks with a voice of honesty, which is both refreshing and creates a visual representation within the authors mind immediately of the people involved and the events playing out throughout this book. In situations where most people would let their feelings overwhelm them (understandably so), the author presents the same hopeful, matter of fact and wonderful personality so many people in her life loved her for, allowing readers to fall in love with her as well.
This is a book meant to be read by anyone who enjoys a good biography or stories of facing adversity, (namely health problems), with a brighter or more hopeful outlook on life. As someone who has struggled with health problems over the last decade, it was refreshing to read a story of someone else who struggled with an illness but chose to meet it head on, creating an inspirational tale that people can identify with and empathize with instantly.
This is a heart-warming, heart-breaking and overall wonderful read that despite its tearful ending will give readers the courage and hope to face the challenges life throws at them – head on and never give up on themselves or each other. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of But Not Today: My Journey through Brain Cancer by Doree O’Connell today!
