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Growing up in a Denver suburb in the sixties and seventies, Spitzer experienced a normal American life. Full of ambition and energy, she was a robust athlete who enjoyed tennis and other sports. An intelligent and curious girl, she liked learning and worked hard in school. Her good grades and proficiency in sports were proof of her early work ethic and ability. “As a child, I had endless amounts of energy and enthusiasm. I loved learning new things and was willing to try anything and everything.” At the age of twelve, her life changed forever when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Immediately admitted to the hospital, she underwent a series of blood and platelet transfusions and tests. As her blood levels rose, she began a three-year regimen of chemotherapy and, when in remission, a three-to-five-week series of radiation therapy on her head. As this was 1975, the treatment for childhood leukemia was uncertain. “I know the doctors had said that I had less than a 10 percent chance of living six months because they just didn’t know how to treat this type of disease.” This memoir tells of her experiences before, during, and after her life-changing diagnosis.
Spitzer comes from a middle-class family, and both her mother and father had parents who were excessive drinkers. When her father and mother married the day after her mother’s high school graduation, they vowed their family would live free of the effects of alcohol and cigarettes. Though this was admirable, their inability to show emotion or express love, coupled with her mother’s sudden fits of anger, left Spitzer facing childhood leukemia in an atmosphere lacking comfort and understanding. Her Catholic father expected her to overcome the depression that comes with a life-threatening illness and was, at times, harsh in his behavior toward her. Her mother was unpredictable and controlling, offering little in maternal love. In fact, it wasn’t until adulthood that Spitzer received the psychological treatment to deal with the emotional turmoil brought on by the fear of death, a subject never broached by her parents. Yet, she became a well-adjusted adult who achieved a master’s degree in the health field. Her experience afforded her empathy for clients in her position as a recreational therapist. After years in the field, she began to suffer continuous headaches and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In the following years, she underwent many surgeries and, at present, continues to be monitored for recurring tumors and cancer.
One of the most inspiring messages of Spitzer’s life story is that one can overcome tragedy and live a fulfilling life. She suffers both physical and cognitive limitations and can no longer work, yet her upbeat personality shines through the pages of this memoir. She writes in a positive manner, even when describing her father’s aloofness and unrealistic expectations and her mother’s unpredictable anger and cruelty. Never displaying a hint of self-pity, she describes the horrific experiences of childhood leukemia and the many health issues of her adult life in a matter-of-fact narrative. Her conversational manner of writing evokes the feeling of having an in-depth dialogue with a friend. Her strength and resilience are inspiring, as are her acceptance and forgiveness of her parents’ failure to provide comfort and reassurance during her childhood trauma. Spitzer’s story will inform and encourage all who read it. It is an amazing account of one woman’s abounding desire and stubborn inclination to overcome enormous obstacles and succeed in life. This book leaves one desiring just half of the author’s can-do spirit. It encourages one to work hard and overcome life’s trials with dignity and grace.