Reviewer: Joe Fabel – AAA Vice President    

Virginia Hansen is the chief character in her book about facing the challenges of a possible cancer problem. Being concerned that the doctors were missing the culprit in their examinations, Virginia went on line to webMD.

She discovered that all of her trying symptoms indicated that she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her doctor performed an immediate biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

What followed was a most trying and discouraging time for her. Yet, her strength of character and determination were strong. “I will see this thing through!”

Being informed that she would need to have chemotherapy along with a stem cell transplant, she knew that accepting such extreme procedures would provide the chance of saving her life.

With her husband Reed by her side, she went through many demanding medical processes which, luckily, were in the forefront of studies of this disease’s cure.

In reading this fully exposed experience, you will discover what stem cell transplanting is all about, at least as it applies to Hodgkin’s lymphoma. You are in for some surprises.

Thankfully for medical advances and Virginia’s strength of character she is now in complete remission. She wants to share her story to help others who face similar medical situations. She promises to be a comforting and knowledgeable guide.

Personal Tale of Survival and Love

Author and cancer survivor Virginia Hansen has written a book that is not only entertaining and informative, but it is also inspirational. Her debut book "Stems of Life" is a personal memoir of her courageous fight for her life against cancer.

The author uses a simple narrative to weave her life experience. She shares the intimate details of her battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma in much the same way that one would have a conversation with an old friend. Her writing style allows the reader to feel like the author is personally relating her experiences to you. It feels like you are sitting across the kitchen table having coffee together.

This book could become a life saver for some people but it is certainly an inspirational story for all people to read regardless if they are struggling with some life threatening disease or not. I was personally moved and felt a desire to learn more about this woman.

I first meet the author at the television studios of Channel 10 in Sacramento this year (2007) where we were both waiting in the greenroom for our on-air interviews. She came across then, as someone very special, even though she makes no pretense to be anyone other than herself. She is more than just a cancer survivor--she is a real hero! I feel privileged to have run into her and to have read her wonderful book.

The American Authors Association (AAA) has nominated this book for one of its yearly awards and gives it their highest book rating of FIVE STARS! I also personally endorse and recommend this book!

W. H. McDonald Jr.  The American Author Association

Inspirational

This book was such an inspiration to me as I felt while reading it I was actually there with Ginny. Not only informative but such honesty and the raw truth of what she endured will help me and others to be a better friend, mother, wife and all around person in the event that I have a loved one with such an unforgiving disease. She left me wanting so much more and I am sure she will deliver. Thank you so much Ginny for putting to paper such an incredible story and making it available for all to read and learn from.

Francis L.

A gem of a book which could save your life

As a physician, my ears perked up when I heard the author interviewed on TV last week. I met the author and purchased her book at a book signing the next day. I later read the entire book in one sitting. It has the ring of authenticity, and is recommended to anyone, even if you think neither you nor anyone you know will ever get cancer.

The book is written in an entertaining, conversational, sometimes humorous, sometimes dramatic, style and always pure Ginny. Thank goodness for the health care giver who advised the author to keep a journal, this brings an immediacy to her story which is hard to duplicate.

Perhaps not the best book for hypochondriacs (a chronic itch becomes a clue to cancer), this book may save more lives than many physicians, simply by illustrating the importance of listening to what your body tells you. It also slips in tips on being assertive when managing your own care. Unlike most treatments of the subject, there is little or no bitterness over the usual early 'missed diagnosis'. Instead, the book is definitely upbeat. Her story demonstrates the importance of having someone with you at all times to serve as an advocate.

This book will be helpful to anyone who has felt uncomfortable knowing what to say when they learn that someone they know or care about has cancer. There are some inspiring heartwarming moments in this book that I will not divulge.

We have been privileged to share an inside look into what it's like to be a patient, and more importantly, what it takes to survive the sometimes bewildering hurdles that confront us when we are least capable of dealing with difficulties. Ginny obviously was blessed with that good-natured 'cancer personality' which all too often seems to be afflicted with this adversity

L. Anderson MD

Realistic Account

This book is not just another tale of a personal fight with cancer. Rather, it is an account of Ms. Hansen's focus on cure for the sake of her family. She injects both humor and honesty during very harrowing times without minimizing the impact it had on her. As a physician, I believe that everyone in the healthcare field should read this book as it gives a very realistic perspective of the fears, wishes and hopes of someone facing a life threatening illness.

M. Stuart M.D.

Trials & Tribulations

Plain speaking Virginia Hansen relates a harrowing tale of one family's battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

This book makes two important contributions: One, it provides step by step real-world instructions for combating a vicious and persistent disease and secondly, it clarifies the uses of stem cells and stem cell applications. The reader can plainly see that stem cell research is not the "boogeyman" some would like us to believe.

Please note, this is not a medical "textbook" account of this disease; rather, it is a heartfelt monologue about a personal triumph over fear and uncertainty.

Michael and Judy

An Incredible Story

Hello. I have to use my son's account, because mine won't work (I never was good at computers). And as much trouble as it took to post this review, I feel I have to share my story with you all. I want to do my part to spread these wonderful ideas Ginny has put to paper.
I have recently lost my mother to cancer this summer. I also lost my father from the devastating disease eighteen years prior. I am well-acquainted with the grief it leaves behind--so I'd be the first to tell you cancer is terrible.
Reading this book was not only helpful, but also refreshing. Within these well-written pages lied optimism for me. You see, it runs in my genes to get cancer. As a child, I even had a life threatening brain tumor. I don't want my son and daughter to feel the grieving I have felt due to this relentless ailment. This book provides hope.
Through her perilous journey of radiation treatments, she stumbled upon a breakthrough in medical technology--you can now save your life through your own adult stem cells! I never knew about this process, and now I feel we are that much closer to beating this horrible plague.
The book was also entertaining; I could not believe her positive mindset. She held her humor high, while her body was in an all-time low. Thank you, Ginny, for this treasured piece of literature. Your story is incredible. God Bless you.

-Kathleen Neumann

Good Stuff

Several years ago when the author told me she was going to write a book about her bout with cancer . . . from discovery through treatment and recovery to freedom, I thought it would be an impossible task! How could she relive all the fears and pain - physical and mental - to put in writing all of those dreadful events of her life?
She surprised me!
Using her journal as a memory jogger, `Ginny' has set forth an excellent chronology of examination and treatment from the patient's perspective. What is it like to be told that you have Hodgkin's lymphoma? What treatment was suggested? Where and how was the treatment implemented? What are `Stem Cells'? Whose `Stem Cells'?
The whole process is set forth in plain language interspersed with some of the author's day-to-day humor that she kept throughout the whole ordeal. STEMS OF LIFE, an easy reading book for anyone involved with stem cell replacement or anyone just curious about the procedure.

L. McIntyre

Use your OWN stem cells to survival

Facing the unknown is difficult enough on any given day, dealing with uncertainties in life stresses us more than we care to endure. Sometimes when we hear "Hodgkin's Lymphoma" or any life threatening diagnosis referred to OUR problem, OUR body, OUR diagnosis, it is hard to think what to do next. It's hard to think. Period!!!!! Where does a mind go at a time like this??

Ginny found the way to take daily baby steps in the right direction, retain her humor ( mine would have been out the window sooooo fast ) and wisely began journaling her ordeal. She went from diagnosis, chemo, remission, relapse, more chemo and then, through miracle of miracles, to discover HER OWN stem cells could be transplanted in a last ditch effort to save her life.

I have heard so much about the pros and cons of stem cell transplants but to hear about our very own stem cells can sometimes be used to give us a fighting chance at survival is beyond belief. Your or your loved one wants to read this book to get the story of one gallant lady's journey to her survival.

Barbara Garman

She saved her own life

Virginia grabs you and pulls you into her world of fear, doctors, appointments, powerlessness, love, support, and bravery. There is real hope for all cancer patients. Thank goodness for stem cell research that has already been done - it's saving lives. Everyone deserves a chance.

Christy Ostrow

There is HOPE!

This book not only provides very helpful information about the process of battling cancer and the horrendous decisions that are made along the way, but even more importantly it gives HOPE to anyone involved with the fight against cancer. As a cancer survivor, I know how vital it is to have the love and support of family and friends, and this book gives true insight into those important personal relationships. The author's amazing sense of humor during her fight to live will make you unable to put the book down until you reach the end.

Jan Whiteacre

The real deal

This book should be required reading for those going through or contemplating treatment for Cancer, as well as family and friends who are helping them. The book takes you to scary places, but works its magic because the author takes away the fear of the unknown and reminds us that this is doable and important. She stresses the need to keep her mind on the ultimate goal of surviving and her sense of humor peeks out in a delightful way. This is a real story with a happy ending.

Gail McIntyre