- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Greystone Books (Sep 16 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1553656326
- ISBN-13: 978-1553656326
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.8 x 1.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 340 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#17,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Parkinson's Disease
- #2 in Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Cancer > Breast Cancer
- #6 in Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Nervous System
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"In her debut memoir, Levy provides a dark-humored account of being afflicted with both Parkinson's disease and breast cancer...What initially seemed like a dual death sentence provided Levy with a new lease on life, reuniting her with friends and family, all of whom reminded her of the many blessings that remained. A traumatic tale surprisingly liberated by laughter." (Kirkus Reviews 20110727)
"Robyn Levy, never one to do things by half, was diagnosed with two life-altering illnesses. Most of Me is her funny/sad and delightfully bawdy account of a dangerous and memorable journey. Long may she travel, and more may she write." (Bill Richardson, writer and broadcaster 20110727)
"It was such a privilege to read Robyn Levy's story. Her integrity and honesty simultaneously broke and healed my heart, fresh from my own journey through breast cancer. Riveting and endearingly funny, her story impacted me profoundly, covering me in a blanket of feelings and thoughts that will stay with me forever, like a friend." (Bif Naked, international recording artist, writer, poet, and actor 20110727)
"A deliciously poetic, humor-laced narrative by a courageous and wickedly honest woman who has been handed a mountain of medical lemons in the prime of her life. Robyn Levy's spirit will stick with you long after you finish the book." (Rhona Raskin, radio talk show host and columnist 20110727)
"An astonishing debut from a writer adept at handling the delicate balance between laughter and tears." (Cori Howard, editor of "Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth about Motherhood" 20110727)
"One nipple up! A must-read for all breast cancer survivors!" (Ms. Mastectomy 20111020)
"Itís serious stuff, but Levy's writing style is so accessible and compelling that reading her memoir feels like sitting down with a good friend over coffee to hear the latest. Every page is loaded with emotion so heart-wrenching itís almost unbearable, yet her tone is so engaging, her humour so dark, that you canít help but keep reading." (Gail Johnson Georgia Straight 20111029)
"Despite the subject matter, Most of Me is filled with irreverent humour and themes of family life that are relevant to almost everyone who's ever lived with a teenager (or been one.)" (Vancouver Sun 20111107)
"As she says, if she doesn't joke about it, she'll cry. You'll probably do a bit of both if you pick up a copy of Levy's book." (Adrienne Brown Homemakers.com )
"Robyn Levy, never one to do things by half, was diagnosed with two life-altering illnesses. Most of Me is her funny/sad and delightfully bawdy account of a dangerous and memorable journey. Long may she travel, and more may she write." (Bill Richardson, writer and broadcaster 20110727)
"It was such a privilege to read Robyn Levy's story. Her integrity and honesty simultaneously broke and healed my heart, fresh from my own journey through breast cancer. Riveting and endearingly funny, her story impacted me profoundly, covering me in a blanket of feelings and thoughts that will stay with me forever, like a friend." (Bif Naked, international recording artist, writer, poet, and actor 20110727)
"A deliciously poetic, humor-laced narrative by a courageous and wickedly honest woman who has been handed a mountain of medical lemons in the prime of her life. Robyn Levy's spirit will stick with you long after you finish the book." (Rhona Raskin, radio talk show host and columnist 20110727)
"An astonishing debut from a writer adept at handling the delicate balance between laughter and tears." (Cori Howard, editor of "Between Interruptions: Thirty Women Tell the Truth about Motherhood" 20110727)
"One nipple up! A must-read for all breast cancer survivors!" (Ms. Mastectomy 20111020)
"Itís serious stuff, but Levy's writing style is so accessible and compelling that reading her memoir feels like sitting down with a good friend over coffee to hear the latest. Every page is loaded with emotion so heart-wrenching itís almost unbearable, yet her tone is so engaging, her humour so dark, that you canít help but keep reading." (Gail Johnson Georgia Straight 20111029)
"Despite the subject matter, Most of Me is filled with irreverent humour and themes of family life that are relevant to almost everyone who's ever lived with a teenager (or been one.)" (Vancouver Sun 20111107)
"It is a brave story, not because of the private emotional reality [Levy] bares -- all memoirs require that. It's her determined levity in the face of so much suffering that's heartbreaking and raw."
(Globe & Mail 20120105)"As she says, if she doesn't joke about it, she'll cry. You'll probably do a bit of both if you pick up a copy of Levy's book." (Adrienne Brown Homemakers.com )
Book Description
The imaginative, hilarious, and moving memoir of a woman coping with both Parkinson's disease and breast cancer.
At age forty-three, Robyn Levy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and, eight months later, with breast cancer. With irreverent and at times mordant humour, Most of Me chronicles Levy's early, mysterious symptoms of breast cancer (a dragging left foot, a frozen left hand, and a crash into "downward dead dog" position on the yoga mat), the devastating diagnosis, her discovery of two lumps in her breast, her mastectomy and oophorectomy (after which she discovers there is no ovary fairy), her continual struggle with Parkinson's, and her life since then dealing with her diverse disease portfolio.
Levy is accompanied on her journey by a fantastic cast of characters, including her Cry Lady (who always makes appearances at inopportune times) and perky Dolores the Prosthesis, as well as her loyal dog and a convoy of health professionals, family members, friends, and neighbours. She makes the best of her visits to those health professionals. At an appointment with her neurologist, she participates in party games such as "try to move the patient's rigid left arm." After "make the patient lose her balance but catch her before she falls," Levy is sorry that the party is over, especially when she gets a prescription instead of a grab bag.
Both heartbreaking and hilarious, Most of Me offers a unique glimpse into a creative mind, an ailing body, and the restorative power of humour and fantasy.
(20120601)
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Most helpful customer reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute must read,
By
This review is from: Most Of Me: Surviving My Medical Meltdown (Paperback)
Robyn writes with frank honesty concerning her medical problems but always with a sense of humor. She takes the reader through her illnesses and shares with us her journey as she learns to cope with the reality of her condition. This book reflects Robyn's bravery and the closeness of her family. This book is highly readable and a must for anyone facing difficult life issues. We have recommended it to many friends and relatives.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enormously Satisfying,
By
This review is from: Most Of Me: Surviving My Medical Meltdown (Paperback)
I first heard of Robyn Levy in a CBC radio interview with herself and her father discussing the trials and tribulations of living with Parkinson's Disease. Both Robyn and her father have Parkinson's and in addition Robyn has had to deal with breast cancer. Despite a medical history that would cripple most of us Robyn's enthusiastic, and above all humorous, approach to dealing with medical uncertainly has led to her writing this book. I ordered it right away.It's unusual that a book affects me in such a profound manner however Robyn writes with fierce honesty and a seriously deranged but delicious wit. The prose alternates between the realities of having serious medical problems and her very funny reactions to dealing with the enormity of the situation. I found the book a page turner and read the book in virtually one sitting. I could go on and on describing a very readable and enormously satisfying book that will appeal to a wide range of readers but don't want to give away any of the juicy bits. Brett
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
You'll laugh! You'll cry! And you'll love it!,
By
This review is from: Most Of Me: Surviving My Medical Meltdown (Paperback)
All page- turners have something that pulls you along. The thread that tugs throughout Robyn Michele Levy''s book ' Most of Me -- is its engaging authenticity. Robyn''s stories occupy that universal zone of mixed emotions where you can''t help laughing and crying at the same time. This book does not leave you with the detached wonder of how someone could ever cope with these two diseases; ' instead, it transports you to a place where you experience the real possibility of creating an unconventional response to otherwise daunting obstacles. While the supporting roles of the Canadian medical system, family and an expansive web of friendships are evident throughout, it is Robyn''s artful mix of honesty and imagination that gives you the feeling you are accompanying her on a playful, painful journey.
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