New Experiences - Going to the Doctor/Dentist/Hospital, Hospitals
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Synopsis
An ache in Nancy’s breast sent her to the doctor, where a mammogram delivered the devastating diagnosis: breast cancer. There was no lump, no tumor as with most cases of breast cancer. Instead, the cancer dotted all of Nancy’s breast tissue. With no removable lump, Nancy’s only option was a double radical mastectomy. As result of the difficulties she had faced raising young children and coping with such a serious disease, Nancy developed When Mommy Had a Mastectomy to help other women with young children also facing breast cancer. Specifically, she wanted to address how life at home can change when a mother has a mastectomy resulting in limited energy and mobility while she recovers. When Mommy Had a Mastectomy is a children’s book that explains, in a simple and clear manner, why Mommy is sick. It tells the story of a mother and daughter discovering new ways to show they care despite a painful illness. Pairing enchanting illustrations and an engaging story, When Mommy Had a Mastectomy is sure to be a treasured book that will help children and their parents through a difficult time and will provide a fond memory for families to reflect on and share after tragedy.Editorials
Children's Literature -
A little girl and her mommy have a very special hug, where she rests her head on her mother's chest and rests her face on her breasts. This practice, that mother and daughter have shared since infancy, comes to a stop when Mommy tells her daughter that she has breast cancer and needs an operation called a mastectomy to remove her breast and the cancer in it. They share their sadness at the prospect of Mommy feeling ill and taking a long time to heal. Mommy openly and lovingly addresses the potential concerns her daughter may have, including assuring her that cancer is not catching like a cold, what she may look like without a breast, and the choice to have reconstruction surgery. When Mommy returns from the hospital, she and her daughter find alternative ways to hug with toes and elbows and out loud. The book ends on a happy note, as Mommy and daughter eventually resume their special hug. Nancy Reuben Greenfield, a breast cancer survivor, writes with sensitivity and understanding of the emotional impact mastectomy has on the relationship between parent and child. Ralph Butler's illustrations are expressive and gentle, reflecting the bond between Mommy and her daughter.Book Details
Published
May 1, 2005
Publisher
Bartleby Press
Pages
40
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780910155601