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Friday, December 14, 2012

Book Feature Friday - Breast Left Unsaid - Jude Callirgos


Breast Left Unsaid
Title:  Breast Left Unsaid

Author: Jude Callirgos

Published:  Published October 10th 2012 by Green AcresPress
ISBN: 978-1479115440
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 282

Synopsis:  "Breast Left Unsaid: A True and Uncensored Story of Survival," is one woman's 18 month memoir recounting the days when her life became a self-described, "Category 5 Hurricane". Imagine it: you're in the midst of a heart-wrenching divorce, your best friend in the world has just passed away, both of your parents are seriously ill, and then the final bomb gets dropped - "You have breast cancer."

In the author's typical irreverent and unapologetic manner, she picks herself up (after yelling, generally despairing and breaking things) and begins on what readers have described as "an arresting, boldly truthful, poignant and often hilarious" journey of discovery and hope.

The friends, family, doctors and perfect strangers we meet along the way in this well-paced and fascinating book, are people we would like to know - or hope that we have somewhere in our own lives.

"I didn't know it at the time, but while I was living through this abysmal period in my life, Breast Left Unsaid was writing itself,” Jude shares. "I felt like I was on a mission to move everyone past the awareness of this disease to understand in real terms how our lives are impacted. My main motivation now, because I am still battling breast cancer, is to hopefully make the struggle that anyone is going through; whether its cancer or some other gigantic crisis invading your life - a little easier to reconcile. As cliché as it sounds, it does help to know you're not alone. If I can offer insight or with any luck, a laugh, to even one person dealing with this mess - I will be satisfied."

Breast Left Unsaid is a surprising humorous and unvarnished diary of one woman's survival that is a must read for anyone who has ever had reason to ask, "Can this possibly get any worse?" Because the answer is yes; and then it gets better.
 Jude Callirgos
Author Biography:  Jude was born and raised on Long Island, NY, and moved to Connecticut in her teens, where she has lived ever since. Currently a Human Resources executive in New York, she spent the earlier part of her career focused on the performing arts both as a producer and performer. She is still a member of The Screen Actors Guild but in her heart, still pines for the stage. She writes about both of those worlds and other random topics on her blogs judesthinkin' and Green Acres Press.
Jude still lives at Green Acres in Connecticut with her husband Philip, dog Sophie, and assorted woodland creatures. She is also a wicked step-mom to her daughter Julia, enjoying college in Vermont. Despite her ongoing fight with advanced breast cancer, Jude intends to continue writing, blogging and advocating on this and other topics for a long time to come. Breast Left Unsaid is her first full-length book - but she has a virtual attic full of essays, poetry and ideas for new works. Jude hopes you will visit her website atwww.breastleftunsaid.com, and looks forward to your feedback. She thanks you for buying her book and wants you to know that a percentage of the proceeds will go toward medical research focused on a cure for breast cancer and other diseases affecting her family.

Praise:  5.0 out of 5 stars Breast Left Unsaid - a brave, outstanding, heartfelt & riveting memoir, October 25, 2012
Byabbnyc - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Breast Left Unsaid: A True and Uncensored Story of Survival (Kindle Edition)
This 18 month memoir by an incredibly courageous, witty and wonderful writer and actress, Jude Callirgos, is sometimes hilarious and sometimes horrific. It provides a blow by blow account in diary form of the shocking discovery that you have a serious, life threatening form of cancer, during an otherwise terribly difficult time in your life, confronting it head on with the support and warmth of close family and true friends. This is a beautifully written, take no prisoners, fast paced, intricately detailed and brutal account of how your world completely changes to something unsuspected before you had cancer. It is a book that is life affirming in a way that those of us not closely familiar with a life-threatening disease can only imagine - it screams out loud to all of us that we should treasure good health when we have it and care for ourselves and our loved ones at all times. I cannot recommend this book enough to those who have gone through a serious sickness either personally or through a family member or close friend. This book will give you strength and hope and a few really loud laughs. Kudos to author extraordinaire, Jude Callirgos!!!

ByJacqui "Jacqui.dg" (South FLA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Breast Left Unsaid: A True and Uncensored Story of Survival (Kindle Edition)
As a breast cancer survivor, this book brought me back 5 years to my own journey that I tried to erase from my memories. As I read Jude's story, I realized I could finally face my own battle. This well-written book is a must-read for anyone facing the journey, or anyone who knows someone who has or will be fighting the same battle. I couldn't put it down and recommend it.



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