Overview

According to the American Brain Tumor Association, almost 70,000 Americans will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor this year alone. If you or someone you care for shares the tragic reality of the above statement, Defy & Conquer will shed valuable light on contemporary cancer care, what to expect, and how to cope--physically, mentally, and spiritually. Mindy Elwell offers a captivating memoir, describing three years living with Anaplastic Astrocytoma (Grade III), from initial symptoms to early diagnosis, needle biopsy, adopting the Ketogenic Diet, a lifetime's worth of radiation, chemotherapy, and a craniotomy to finally remove the tumor, located deep within the thalamus. This first-person view of brain cancer spans traditional and adjuvant therapies, and is both educational and informative, with diagnostic and surgical notes disclosing pathology reports, the biopsy procedure, and the tumor resection surgery, which was performed utilizing state-of-the-art, intra-operative brain mapping. Learn about the metabolism of cancer cells and details on how to adopt the Ketogenic Diet through contributions from Ms. Elwell's professional team at the renowned Barrow Neurological Institute Dr. Adrienne C. Scheck, brain tumor researcher, and Leonora Renda, RDN. Publisher's Disclaimer: As Ms. Elwell states in her Introduction, not all cancer patients will experience cancer the way she did, nor will they respond the same to her treatment regimen or diet. If you are diagnosed with cancer, there is no more important source of information and guidance than your health professional. Defy & Conquer is not a replacement for professional medical care or advice, nor is it intended to be a How To in dealing with cancer. It is merely one brave woman's account against a deadly disease, shared with the public in the hopes of helping others cope and endure a similar situation.

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9781939454294

Table of Contents

Reviews

In this book, Mindy Elwell has chronicled her journey from brain tumor diagnosis, through her decision to use a ketogenic diet as an adjuvant therapy and its integration into her lifestyle...She includes detailed information, including hints and recipes [she has] discovered and created. <i>Defy & Conquer</i> is an excellent resource for brain tumor patients...written from the point of view of a brain tumor patient and, therefore, providing information in a manner more suited to individuals dealing with the unique issues presented by this diagnosis. Mindy not only provides insights from her own point of view but she also provides information about resources available to help empower brain tumor patients to pursue the use of this metabolic therapy in addition to the standard of care. We highly recommend this book for cancer patients interested in exploring the use of this diet as part of their treatment regimen. <b>Adrienne C. Scheck, Ph.D., Associate Professor</b> Neuro-Oncology Research, Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ <b>Leonora Renda, RDN</b> University of Arizona Cancer Center St. Joseph s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ As a patient liaison at Barrow Neurological Institute, I often see patients that feel powerless when it comes to playing a part in both their treatment plan and the decision-making process. Mindy refused to give in to fear. Instead, she put together a team of incredible doctors, engaged whatever resources she could find and educated herself, her team, and her family. Through her faith, her positive attitude, and her willingness to expose the tender moments, she has shown us all that we can overcome the seemingly impossible. This book, and the life lessons it teaches, is a gift from a woman I admire greatly and am blessed to call a friend. I am thankful that she has shared her heart and her powerful story with us all. <b>Lisa Soeby, Patient Liaison</b> Barrow Neurological Institute Mindy shares her powerful story with dignity and humor. Not even the insidious 'C-Club' can stop her from soaking up every fierce, faithful, frightening moment of her beautiful life. Her story of strength and endurance serves as a reminder that life s fleeting moments are valuable treasures to be cherished. She shares her struggle with candor and wit. Although cancer patients and their caregivers will find valuable support and guidance in this book, readers from all walks of life will be impressed by Mindy s strength and humility. <b>Shelly Hornback</b> Arizona philanthropist and community leader <b>Publisher's Editorial: </b> What started out as a book of survival became a testament to hope. <b><i>Defy & Conquer</b></i> began as a book of promise: for state-of-the-art surgery that successfully removed a once-inoperable brain tumor; for the Ketogenic Diet, an adjuvant therapy used to help stem the growth of cancer cells. But cancer is a formidable foe and Defy & Conquer, in the end, defines a state of mind against terminal brain cancer---the refusal of surrendering the soul to disease. Why publish yet another cancer book? Because cancer is experienced differently with every iteration of medical advances. And because some stories offer so much educational value to the hundreds of thousands of Americans living with cancer, they deserve to be published. <i>Defy & Conquer</i> offers first-hand candor, numerous tips, excerpts of medical records rarely seen, inspiration that is both endearing and spot-on, and a whole section of diet, nutrition and personal food choices, menus and recipes, from a cancer patient who discovered them, tried them all, and chooses to share their benefits with others. What Mindy Elwell offers in <i>Defy & Conquer</i> is validation to offset the overwhelming gravity of a malignant brain cancer diagnosis---for patient, family and caregiver. Ms. Elwell's belief in God is also inspiring, and flies in the face of the recently lauded alternative, assisted suicide. With three children and a loving husband supporting her and willing her to live, this was not an option. As she so eloquently states in her book, Just as a first impression is important for strangers, I believe the last impression is important for the children you leave behind.

In this book, Mindy Elwell has chronicled her journey from brain tumor diagnosis, through her decision to use a ketogenic diet as an adjuvant therapy and its integration into her lifestyle...She includes detailed information, including hints and recipes [she has] discovered and created. Defy & Conquer is an excellent resource for brain tumor patients...written from the point of view of a brain tumor patient and, therefore, providing information in a manner more suited to individuals dealing with the unique issues presented by this diagnosis. Mindy not only provides insights from her own point of view but she also provides information about resources available to help empower brain tumor patients to pursue the use of this metabolic therapy in addition to the standard of care. We highly recommend this book for cancer patients interested in exploring the use of this diet as part of their treatment regimen. Adrienne C. Scheck, Ph.D., Associate Professor Neuro-Oncology Research, Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ Leonora Renda, RDN University of Arizona Cancer Center St. Joseph s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ As a patient liaison at Barrow Neurological Institute, I often see patients that feel powerless when it comes to playing a part in both their treatment plan and the decision-making process. Mindy refused to give in to fear. Instead, she put together a team of incredible doctors, engaged whatever resources she could find and educated herself, her team, and her family. Through her faith, her positive attitude, and her willingness to expose the tender moments, she has shown us all that we can overcome the seemingly impossible. This book, and the life lessons it teaches, is a gift from a woman I admire greatly and am blessed to call a friend. I am thankful that she has shared her heart and her powerful story with us all. Lisa Soeby, Patient Liaison Barrow Neurological Institute Mindy shares her powerful story with dignity and humor. Not even the insidious 'C-Club' can stop her from soaking up every fierce, faithful, frightening moment of her beautiful life. Her story of strength and endurance serves as a reminder that life s fleeting moments are valuable treasures to be cherished. She shares her struggle with candor and wit. Although cancer patients and their caregivers will find valuable support and guidance in this book, readers from all walks of life will be impressed by Mindy s strength and humility. Shelly Hornback Arizona philanthropist and community leader Publisher's Editorial: What started out as a book of survival became a testament to hope. Defy & Conquer began as a book of promise: for state-of-the-art surgery that successfully removed a once-inoperable brain tumor; for the Ketogenic Diet, an adjuvant therapy used to help stem the growth of cancer cells. But cancer is a formidable foe and Defy & Conquer, in the end, defines a state of mind against terminal brain cancer---the refusal of surrendering the soul to disease. Why publish yet another cancer book? Because cancer is experienced differently with every iteration of medical advances. And because some stories offer so much educational value to the hundreds of thousands of Americans living with cancer, they deserve to be published. Defy & Conquer offers first-hand candor, numerous tips, excerpts of medical records rarely seen, inspiration that is both endearing and spot-on, and a whole section of diet, nutrition and personal food choices, menus and recipes, from a cancer patient who discovered them, tried them all, and chooses to share their benefits with others. What Mindy Elwell offers in Defy & Conquer is validation to offset the overwhelming gravity of a malignant brain cancer diagnosis---for patient, family and caregiver. Ms. Elwell's belief in God is also inspiring, and flies in the face of the recently lauded alternative, assisted suicide. With three children and a loving husband supporting her and willing her to live, this was not an option. As she so eloquently states in her book, Just as a first impression is important for strangers, I believe the last impression is important for the children you leave behind. Disclaimer: As Ms. Elwell states in her Introduction, not all cancer patients will experience cancer the way she did, nor will they respond the same to her treatment regimen or diet. If you are diagnosed with cancer, there is no more important source of information and guidance than your health professional. Defy & Conquer is not a replacement for professional medical care or advice, nor is it intended to be a How To in dealing with cancer. It is merely one brave woman's account against a deadly disease, shared with the public in the hopes of helping others cope and endure a similar situation.

Author Information

Mindy Elwell has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and previously worked with troubled and disadvantaged teens and their families, as well as those facing drug addiction and abuse. Everything changed March 2012, with a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. Mindy has now outlived her terminal diagnosis and is enjoying life once again with her husband and three children in Arizona.

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