Life Reconstructed: Navigating the World of Mastectomies and Breast Reconstruction

I read this book while in the midst of my own breast cancer treatment journey. The author's personal stories helped me to know I was not alone. Her research presented information in an easy to understand manner. I recommend this book to those diagnosed with breast cancer, but also spouses, family and friends. Thanks Kim for sharing your story.

I’m so thankful my sister bought this book for me right after my breast cancer diagnosis. It was exactly the resource I needed as I faced the decision to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction at age 46.Kim covers all the key subjects when facing this giant. She does it with compassion, real life experience shared, well researched information, and all while making you feel like she’s a longtime friend! This book is the best resource for anyone going through this journey and it also lends comfort to your spouse, family members, and friends who travel the road with you.The author brings hope in her story and the stories she shared of others.

I recently gave this book to a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. I read the book prior to giving it to her. I would recommend this book whether you are a friend, sibling, child, spouse or the recipient of the cancer diagnosis. If you are looking for comfort from a kindred spirit on this journey, you can find it here. If you want to be encouraged in your faith, you can find it here. If you need some humor in the midst of the hardness, you can find it here. If you are looking for education on navigating doctors, surgeries and insurance, you can find it here. For me, it gave me a little insight into the path my friend was on. It will help me ask better questions and be more sensitive. The author has a way of being deeply personal but also informative. The best review was from my friend who told me she was taking this book to her next appointment with her surgeon. She said while they had a whole wall of materials for breast cancer patients, nothing was as good as this book and she wanted to make sure they had it available. She commented that it had a way of putting into words so many of the things she was experiencing. I just ordered two more copies of the book. Unfortunately most of us will know someone, if not multiple people in our lives that have to face this diagnosis. This book is an excellent resource and I highly recommend it.

Wow. I just finished reading Kim's book and I sit is awe of her raw, transparent, humbling and joyful journey through breast cancer. This book taught me so much that I did not know. My mom has cancer, my best friend has cancer and as part of their support team, this book was super relevant and relatable. I love how Kim captured both the emotional and physical sides of cancer and walked through intimate questions and concerns with compassion, humility and knowledge. Kim's transparency through her journey when talking about sex, hard decisions, her marriage and family was raw, real and spot on. This book is a must read for anyone who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer or knows someone who was. As I was reading Life Reconstructed, my first thought was that this is a precious resource to those beginning the fight, enduring the battle and supporting those that are. The book made me cry, laugh, smile and contemplate. One of my favorite quotes on page 92 is, "Cry the tears. Grieve the loss. Fight the lying voices. Listen to your loved ones. And tell yourself you are beautiful until you believe it." I highly recommend this book.

Unfortunately I am in the breast cancer club. A librarian friend told me about this book. I ordered it and was thankful it helped explain lots of the processes that I was and would be going through.

"Write hard and clear about what hurts." -Ernest HemingwayExcellent journalism often confronts the hard, uncomfortable truths about life. "Life Reconstructed" was everything I wanted to know about breast cancer but was afraid to ask. We need more vulnerability for hard topics like this, especially from brave, faithful women like Kim. "Life Reconstructed" was a perfect blend of science and anecdotes, hard truths and humor, well-researched and well-written. I highly recommend this book for anyone going through breast cancer, supporting someone in the process, or simply looking to gain a perspective on what a tough life journey is like for others. Anyone who reads this book will, in Kim's words, "come out on the other side with a beautiful perspective of the precious value of life. A perspective that is impossible to achieve without walking through hard things."

A truly, helpful resource for not only those facing a mastectomy or breast reconstruction, but those wanting to understand the process. Kim is thoughtfully transparent; explaining her cancer journey in such a way that it feels like your close friend is talking to you. Filled with compassion and even a bit of humor, this book delves into personal struggles, tough decisions, as well as others’ hard choices no one wants to face.This book will broaden your knowledge and will answer the questions you are afraid to ask. Written beautifully, Life Reconstructed is an excellent book for anyone going through breast cancer, or loved ones looking to gain a better understanding of what their loved ones are going through so they can continue to support them.

I have not walked through the things the author has, but after reading this, I would most definitely be better prepared. It's obvious the author is coming from a place of care and kindness and she wants anyone who has to walk this road to know that they are not alone. Her tone is so friendly and she explains things clearly. I appreciated all the definitions and other resources she included, especially the section on history of mastectomies and breast reconstruction and the legislation that has been passed to help protect those that are going through this.