Embrace, Release, Heal: An Empowering Guide to Talking about, Thinking about, and Treating Cancer
This is a story of healing--of body, mind and spirit. Leigh Fortson's informational book is a "must read" for any patient with a cancer diagnosis. The purpose of the book is to "empower those with cancer--or any type of degenerative illness--during a time when feeling empowered is in short supply." Ms. Fortson considers her work a map that describes a path to "hopefulness rather than fear" and emphasizes the importance of a patient's involvement in his own care.The book includes "tools:" such as a reading list, websites, addresses, and a list of questions frequently asked by patients. . . . Much of this volume's strength comes from the stories of individuals whose cancers have remained in remission or disappeared altogether--including the author's.Physicians and survivors like Leigh Fortson should be applauded for having the courage to share their findings. . . . Knowledge that is accumulating outside of the medical model of cancer care cannot be ignored.  The reader may not come away convinced, but can and should remain open to considering what is written. --Diane Brandley, New York Journal of Books, March 7, 2011Embrace, Release, Healis a marvelous, enlightening and inspiring book for all those interested in natural, holistic healing. Although it's packed with relevant and intriguing information, it's got an empowering message and many real-life happy endings.Stephanie Miller, LiveLighter.org, March 2011 --LiveLighter.org, March 12, 2011Fortson's book overall settles into a middle ground that even those with a skeptical bent can appreciate. Who would argue that good nutrition, stress reduction and a healthy attitude can aid in healing? Fortson lays out options in these realms and then tells readers they should search their own psyches and do what feels right for them. Intuition, she stresses throughout this book, can be a powerful healing tool. Fortson wraps up with a reference section that is in itself worth the price of the book. --Nancy Lofholm, The Denver Post, April 24, 2011InEmbrace Release Heal, author Leigh Fortson describes her own journey with cancer. After her third cancer diagnosis, she is given a hopeless prognosis, and is determined to save herself while also educating others through this book. Cancer survivors are all around, and Fortson finds them and shares their stories with us. Although she chose the path of traditional medicine for her first two rounds, by the third round, Fortson no longer wanted to subject her body to the harsh treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. Instead, she chose to honor her body's own wisdom and try to heal herself in a more natural way. Ultimately each person needs to determine what course of action to take, but it's easier to make a decision when all the options are before us. While some traditional options are explored in this book, its focus is on those treatments we may not know about - treatment programs that have an astonishing success rate, but doctors are unable to recommend them. Cancer doesn't have to be the end - it can also be a beginning. When we realize what we've been doing that contributed to the cancer, we can start to live life from a new perspective. And even if we aren't able to cure the cancer, we can life our lives to the fullest while we're able. I highly recommendEmbrace Release Healfor anyone suffering with a cancer diagnosis.  --Alice Berger, bergersbookreviews.com"... What I did not expect was the extreme attention to treatment details, personal stories of triumph and overwhelming upbeat attitude from Ms. Fortson. Bottom line: I found this book to be a true revelation and a must-read for anyone who is working through a cancer diagnosis and for those who love them. Whether you are a fan of traditional therapies or tend to lean towards more of a naturopathic route, you will find information and resources that offer encouragement, hope and successful feedback from those who have already walked a mile in your shoes. The book relates powerfully and effortlessly with the difficulty of our situation."  -- Kim Petersen, CommonSenseHealth.org, September 2011