David Richman - Cycle of Lives: 15 Peoples Stories, 5,000 Miles, and a Journey Through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer

This is a big, audacious book about a big, audacious disease. Its as if David is shining a light into all the dark crevices and saying, We see you, cancer, and youre not going to bring us to our knees.

Jennie Nash, author of The Victorias Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming and Other Lessons I Learned From Breast Cancer

Cancer advocacy means something different to each person. David has chosen to take his cancer club membership to paper and penned this must-read book that stands apart from the pack as one of the most authentic, compelling, inspirational, and passionate works of non-fiction around.

Matthew Zachary, leader; speaker; disruptor; and founder of the adolescent and young adult cancer organization, Stupid Cancer

With luminous clarity, Richmans open-hearted interviews with real people facing cancer across ages and circumstances reveal the simple truths that unite us all.

Dan Shapiro, PhD, psychologist, speaker, author; Vice Dean for Faculty and Administrative Affairs, Garner James Cline Professor of Humanities in Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine

This remarkably insightful book is beautifully written. David reveals the multitude of emotions that cancer patients experience, through vivid, relatable story-telling. This is medical narrative writing at its best!

Ann Marie Beddoe MD MPH, gynecologic oncologist; director of Global Womans Health at Mount Sinai Medical Center NY; co-founder of The Women Global Cancer Initiative

The emotional side effects of cancer often go undetected, but because of Davids book, I am now more aware of and have a different perspective of peoples experiences. I am a better patient advocate because of the stories shared in this book.

Gail Johnson, head patient coordinator, Valley Health System, Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care

The narrative around cancer tends to be told by people whove had exclusively triumphantand often remarkably similartrajectories. But cancer is a complex array of diseases, and as David Richman demonstrates through his extraordinary cross-country bike journey, every experience of it is unique. This is a big-hearted book, full of love and grit, one that shows there is no typical cancer story and invites us all to a deeper, more empathetic conversation around illness, grief, and survivorship.

Mary Elizabeth Williams, author, speaker, stage-4 melanoma survivor

This book is a memoir reflecting the authors present recollections of experiences over time. Its story and its words are the authors alone. Some details and characteristics may be changed, some events may be compressed, and some dialogue may be recreated.

Published by River Grove Books

Austin, TX

www.rivergrovebooks.com

Copyright 2020 David Richman

All rights reserved.

The Cycle of Lives logo is a trademark of David Richman

Thank you for purchasing an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright law. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder.

Distributed by River Grove Books

Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group

Cover design by Greenleaf Book Group

Cover images used under license from

Shutterstock.com/Have a nice day Photo

Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

Print ISBN: 978-1-63299-299-4

eBook ISBN: 978-1-63299-300-7

First Edition

I know cancer. I have looked it in the eye. I have rallied the troops to fight back. And, I have seen an army assemble.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, I was a member of the Florida House of Representatives. During those years when I served in the legislature and as Speaker of the House, I lost several dear friends to cancer: Joseph Lumia, Judy Barnett, George Edgecomb, to name a few. After going through my own battle with cancer and knowing of too many friends and colleagues who continued to face this relentless disease, I realized there was a great need for a research-based cancer center in Florida. Once committed to taking action, I knew one of my most important works in life was to do everything I could to contribute to the care and cure of those afflicted with cancer and end this beast. Enough was enough.

I was able to secure seventy million dollars from the legislature, which came primarily from the state of Floridas cigarette tax, for construction of a cancer center. In October of 1986, three years after its groundbreaking, The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute officially opened. Since then, I have been humbled to stand with countless brave and hopeful cancer survivors, the brightest researchers and doctors, caring families and loved ones, and so many more who have found themselves, by choice or by fate, in the midst of fighting this disease. Today, Moffitt Cancer Center, consistently ranked in the top ten nationally recognized cancer hospitals and the only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, is not only dedicated to treating cancer patients, but just as importantly, we are tirelessly dedicated to research in hopes of finding a cure.

I met David Richman and learned of his book on bringing together the many emotional aspects of the cancer experience through a mutual friend. Karen was going through her second battle with cancer; first, she beat thyroid cancer, and then she encountered triple negative breast cancerall before she was 40. During her recovery, Karen and I had the opportunity to walk the halls of the state legislature together, the same halls where I had served more than thirty years before. I thought of old friends, how impactful cancer had been in our lives, and how much Moffitt Cancer Center had grown. Together, Karen and I met with the governor to discuss the cancer center, our goals, our needs, our impact on the community, and our dedication to serving those afflicted with cancer. I noticed right away that Karen had the same drive as me to fight the battle; I have come to know that once affected, so many good people join our army and engage in this mission to do what we can to make a difference.

This book describes the emotional aspects of the cancer experience, as told from different viewpoints, those of survivors, of caretakers, of doctors. The stories contained within will touch you with their humanity, trueness, and insight into the human experience. This book will help you understand the deep emotional trauma that cancer can cause, while showing you the optimism, hope, and courage that so many bring to their experience.

When I walk through Moffitt Cancer Center, I see cancer in its most in-your-face way, and I am witness to the battles that are being waged. I see the doctors and nurses and technicians and researchers who are fighting every day for our patients. I see the emotion, the dedication, the compassion, and the unity of purpose that defines the Moffitt culture, and I am inspired and hopeful.

When I look back on how far we have come in the fight against cancer and when I attempt to measure the ways in which Moffitt Cancer Center has touched so many families and patients with cancer, I know the battle will be won. If cancer has touched your life or the life of a loved one or friend, or if cancer has inspired in you a calling to dedicate your life to fighting back, this book will open your eyes to the emotional journeys we all find ourselves facing.