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My Angels Are Come: A Deeply
Personal Journal of Cancer Survival by Art Stump Clumsy Ducks Publishing
book review by Deborah Straw
"The adventure that I had embarked upon in my fight against cancer was a terrifying one to be sure, but it was an adventure nonetheless. I fully intended to relish every moment of it."
Fashion photographer Art Stump, at 60-something, is diagnosed with prostate cancer (not the wildly aggressive strain). Although this is a scary scenario, he determines to turn his fear into anger and to beat the disease. With an extraordinary group of caregivers, he does so; he undergoes radiation treatments and intimate prods and pokes and takes various medications. The book, written in journal format with dates, is as much about the health practitioners as it is about Stump's cancer.
Cancer memoirs are frequent these days, and those with happy endings are most welcome. Most make good stories, and many are well written. These statements are both true for My Angels Are Come. (The title originates from an actual thank you card sent to the medical center.) The book is highly technical about all his diagnoses and treatments and would most appeal to those with a similar diagnosis or a family member of such.
Stump's story is heart warming and re-affirming. Extremely involved in his treatment, the author might well have been a fine journalist, as well as a photographer, as he asks so many questions. Luckily, the medical professionals with whom he deals are not offended and strive to answer all of them. Stump comes to see them as his angels, those who have saved his life. Upon completion of treatment and receipt of a clean bill of health, he relishes each day more; he is more open, emotionally; he is more ready to praise people for jobs well done. The cancer teaches him much about human nature, and he emerges stronger, physically and emotionally.