Susan Wener - Resilience: A Story of Courage and Triumph in the Face of Recurrent Cancer

A must-read book for anyone diagnosed with cancer or living with someone diagnosed with cancer. This book captures the journey of how dealing with disease affects the psyche. Wener relates her quest to explore alternative ways of dealing with her illnesses, while continuing to use the benefits of traditional medicine. She tells her story with humility and transparency. Her story is a model of resilience, courage, and honesty.

Diane Guerrera, breast cancer survivor and founder of the CURE Foundation

Through this extraordinary window into her thoughts, her fears, her defeats, and her triumphs, we come to understand Susan Wener not simply as a case but as a whole person. As a physician, this book gives me the opportunity to think about how I can do more for my patients by being a better listener and by trying harder to understand them as individuals rather than cases. As someone responsible for the education of students and residents, Resilience has given me food for thought about how we can better prepare the next generation of physicians.

David Eidelman, MD, CM, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University

If the word resilience had a face, it would have to be Susan Weners. She is the proof that physical fragility, emotional distress, and fear can be overcome. Everyone, sick or healthy, will benefit from learning Susans lessons about life, humility, hope, perseverance, and love.

Lise Watier, founder, Lise Watier Cosmetics

At some point in our life, everyone will face challenges. The quality of our lives will depend on how well we cope during these difficult times. Susan shares her story and the way she and her family lived through this highly emotional and painful period. It is a remarkable story of Susans strength. Her love for her family, compassion for others in need, and wisdom continued to grow in spite of her pain. Rather than scars, Susan gained a radiant, beautiful spirit that nourishes all of us fortunate enough to spend time with her. I am grateful to Susan for the book she wrote and her spirit that gives me hope.

Rubin Becker MD, FRCPC

Insightful, moving, and easy-to-read, this story takes the reader through the challenges, the setbacks, the fears, and the different strategies to cope with cancer. It offers a message of hope, perseverance, and optimism.

Dr. Andre Lisbona, MD, FRCPC

As a general internist and palliative medicine specialist, I am very interested in doctor-patient communication. Resilience teaches us so much about how patients want to be communicated with and how important it is to listen to them. I hope that this book serves as a foundation for reflection and change for anyone journeying through a serious illness. If you encounter adversity, think back to the principles that Susan teaches us: believe in and love yourself, talk with and include your family in your decision-making process, keep a good team, and heal by helping others.

Gil Kimel, MD, MSc, FRCPC

To know Susan Wener is to get a glimpse of the inner peace that is the goal of every guru, priest, and New Age life coach. This story of the journey that got her where she is today is equal parts gripping, terrifying, and unbearably sad on the one hand and courageous, instructive, and inspiring on the other. No one would ever choose to follow in her footsteps, but her travelogue is a tool kit for building structures of hope, optimism, and triumph in the neighborhood of disease, suffering, and death.

Michael Walker, PhD

A must read for everyone. I loved the book and read it in two sittings with a box of Kleenex. Some of the tears were shed for her deep suffering but many were also shed in joy for her courage, strength, and triumphs!

Gordon Byrn, chairman, Carlyle Gordon Limited

Susan Weners poignant description of her battle with colon cancer provides insights into the challenges that face every patient dealing with a life-altering illness. The book also offers an excellent overview of how both traditional Western medicine and complementary/alternative medicine can be beneficial to whole person care. As a result of her many emotional and physical ups and downs, Susan has dedicated her professional career to understanding the importance of a healthy balance between body and mind.

Stephen H. Carson MD, pediatrician and pediatric pulmonologist