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CURRENTLY IN BOOKS
Navigating the roller-coaster ride of cancer

Haide Giesbrecht

The Valley of Cancer: A Journey of Comfort and Hope
Angelina Fast-Vlaar. Belleville, Ont.: Essence Publishing, 1999. 158 pp., $14.95.

As a counsellor, I always find it a privilege to be allowed to share the innermost thoughts of someone’s journal. Angelina Fast-Vlaar is a survivor of the valley of cancer personally; she has also lost a spouse to cancer. She allows her reader the honour of sharing her personal experience of the roller-coaster of cancer through her journaling. Her purpose is to share with others who are struggling with cancer or illness, to be the one who is “ ‘calling back’ to you to encourage you, whatever your valley may hold”.

Fast-Vlaar’s way of working through her journey was through the writing of poetry. Much of the book is very readable poetry. This is enhanced through the use of charcoal illustrations and through brief descriptions of every month of the journey, which allow the reader to understand how the poems came to be. She addresses the very real concerns of those affected by cancer either directly or indirectly. These include questions such as “Why?” and “What will my outcome be?”; the roller-coaster ride of cancer; and emotions such as anguish, disconnectedness and aloneness.

As someone who has experienced losses of loved ones through cancer, I found the book drew me in from the first few pages. It gives hope without promising physical healing. Rather, Fast-Vlaar parallels the words of the apostle Paul and focuses on the fact that as Christians we win either way. She reminds us that we need to encourage and support one another and walk through the valley together. Most of us have dealt with cancer in our families, circle of friends, church or community. This book is relevant for all of us as we gain an understanding of how to walk with each other through these difficult times.

Haide Giesbrecht, currently on a leave from her counselling work, attends Richmond (B.C.) Bethel Church with her husband and daughter.

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Last modified May 4, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
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