Praise for Healing with Words:
“Diana is a woman who knows what it is to live fully in the face of mortality. She will add value to the life of every person who reads this book. That she includes the creative impulse to write and the solace offered by contemplating the beautiful as a vital part of human existence resonates at a spiritual level for me.”
~ Sena Jeter Naslund, author of Ahab’s Wife and Abundance, a Novel of Marie Antoinette
“One woman’s story, beautifully told and inspiring to those for whom journaling will ease a breast cancer diagnosis.”
~ Barbara Delinsky, New York Times bestselling author of Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors
“Diana Raab’s compelling and inspirational book is a must-read for any woman diagnosed with breast cancer. She expertly tells her story and captures the reader with her feelings, frustrations and fears that overwhelm.“
~ Julie Davey, author of Writing for Wellness: A Prescription for Healing
“Diana Raab has shared her breast cancer journey with an honesty that is truly compelling . . . a book to turn to time and time again for comfort and guidance. I highly recommend it!”
~ Beverlye Hyman Fead, Legislative Ambassador and Hero for Hope for The American Cancer Society and author of I Can Do This
“Healing With Words is a riveting memoir which follows the author’s journey through two cancer discoveries in eight years. The book’s structure allows the reader to find her own words to write beside Diana’s enlightening story which enlists it as a personal journal. Her poetic flavor of writing stretched my writer’s mind and urged me to post my own note to my computer screen which was gleaned from this book: “When it hurts–write harder.”
~ Barbara Sinor, Ph.D.
“Expression is a powerful healing tool. . . this book is a reflection of Diana M. Raab as she faced down two cancers and through her writing, found her power to keep her spirit up and keep up the fight. Through her own determination, she hopes to inspire others to rise up and embrace the same, and gives many important tips, such as the invaluable aspect of early detection. It is a poignant and powerful piece, very highly recommended.
~Midwest Book Review
“Diana Raab is an exceptional writer. The narrative itself is slim, personal, and accessible, written in a very expository style. She catalogs the various steps in her journey – mammogram, diagnosis, needle biopsy, surgical biopsy, surgery, recovery. This the book will be most useful for fellow women diagnosed with DCIS. While the writing is always clear, it is in her poetry that Raab seeks to explore the deeper ramifications and interpretations of her cancer experience.”
~ Dennis Pyritz, Being Cancer Network
“As a cancer survivor, this book touched parts of my soul I thought I’d forgotten about. Ms. Raab did a phenomenal job at writing a memoir while including the reader in her journey. Beautiful job and beautiful words. Thank you, Ms. Raab–you’ll help many.”
~ Chynna T. Laird, author of Lily Wolf Words
“This is a thoughtful book that will touch the hearts of women and those who love us.”
~ Theresa Fraser, MA
“This book is a Godsend for women diagnosed as having breast cancer. Diana Raab is a brave lady, who has fought cancer twice and won . . . The book promotes “writing” as a wellbeing therapy or writing to assist healing . . . informative, inspirational, uplifting. Two words sum up this book; survival and courage. The book emphasizes the importance of early breast cancer detection . . . I began to appreciate just how breast cancer produces a roller coaster of emotions . . . I can see how therapeutic writing could help. This is a good book with a positive self help message.”
~ Paul Kendall
“. . . Diana takes the reader by the hand through her breast cancer experience from initial diagnosis through treatment and recovery in her memoir. I highly recommend this book for patients, families of patients, caregivers and healthcare workers . . . It will be like having a friend accompany you through the darkness to the light.”
~ Kathleen Pooler
“As a cancer survivor myself and someone who has lost a family member to the disease I know how scary and devastating things can get. Diana takes us through this journey with courage, grace, and love to the other side. The book is also replete with writing prompts and coaching to help you confront your own personal issues with words, perchance to heal.”
~ Victor R. Volkman
“While researching breast cancer treatment options Diana “didn’t want the cold hard facts [she] found online, but warm compassionate, and real information from other women, women who had been through the same scenario.” The title of this book is in your face. No mincing of words, no euphemism . . . She addresses the person who is going through a similar ordeal, who is on the same kind of journey . . . She teaches by example what honest writing is all about. She dares to show herself on the page . . . The reward is clarity that leads to setting and reaching of goals, while living each day to the fullest. Creative writing is self-discovery, and that’s what this book is all about . . . she shares to make a point: writing is essential.”
~ Judith van Praag, author of Creative Acts of Healing: After a Baby Dies
“Every deeper energy of my psyche delights in the messages of bravery, hope and sadness in Diana Raab’s inspiring book…brims with life and wonderful words. I loved the questions asked along the way and since I have not suffered from cancer, I substituted my own struggles and found the experience of examining my life to be a joyous and affirming one . . . read Diana’s book regardless of your health or status as a writer, read it because it is a gift of poetry!”
~ Lisa De Nikolits
”Healing with Words” is a memoir of a woman’s battle with cancer and her struggle to understand and heal her life afterwards . . . Raab comes to use her journaling as a way of healing and validation. The book includes several personal journal entries as well as poems that have been written by the author and she has included writing prompts for readers to journal about their own cancer stories. Raab’s memoir is very accessible to the reader . . . Her poetry is intimate. Raab never sugar coats the things she felt or experienced . . . this memoir is a fresh and honest piece that shows how cancer can touch everyone and the obstacles that one must overcome in order to survive it.”
~ Stephanie Ward
“This book was amazing! I do not have breast cancer but I am very happy I read this book. Raab’s words and poems are an inspiration. If you or someone you know is suffering from cancer this book will teach you to journal your thought and feelings. The book is a great tool and a real life encounter with breast cancer. I feel so grateful . . . ”
~ Erin E. Hankins
“This book particularly hit home with me, as I lost my beloved Nanny to this disease, and just recently went through my own near encounter with breast cancer… I wish I could have read this book a few months back, when I was going through the tests and the uncertainty of waiting for results.
If you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone that has, I highly recommend you pick up this book and read or share it with your loved one. It may just be the encouragement they need.”
~ T. Jones
“Diana Raab bares her soul walking the reader through her physically and emotionally painful journey fighting breast cancer. From her initial diagnosis of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) via mammogram (the only way to discover it early) through surgeries and recovery, each step of the way is described using her straightforward style combined with her journal entries and poetry written at the time…
I intend to give this book to a friend who is recovering from breast cancer surgery and chemo. I thought of my friend during the entire book and realized there was so much more that she likely went through than I was aware of at the time. I hope this book will help her adjust to life as a survivor.”
~ Bonnie McKeegan
“This book is raw, honest, and so full of courage that I couldn’t put it down. Read cover to cover in one night, I have returned to this book many times to re-read a chapter, a poem, or simply to recalibrate my focus and inspiration. With gratitude and appreciation. Highly recommended.”
~ Jace Turner
“Raab’s book is many things: educational, thought provoking, empowering, inspirational, and empathetic. Her words resonated with me on many different levels…As a writer, I turned pages in awe, amazed at the raw honesty Raab displayed, a gift we all hope to achieve with every word we write…
This book is a gift for all of the seasons of a woman’s life. While Raab writes about breast cancer, her honesty and message translate well to other of life’s disappointments, to those times when we question, do we leap off the dangerous precipice–or reach deep into our souls to find a new road, a new way, a new solution? Raab’s message is clear, remarkable, and inspiring: keep reaching, keep stretching, and never, ever give up!”
~ Catherine Brehm Rain, CPC
and Freelance Writer
“This is the book that I would have liked to have when I was first undergoing testing. This is the book to either give to yourself or your friend or family member at the beginning of testing for cancer, especially breast cancer. This book is like a friend walking the way with me.”
~ C. Wong
“For someone who is dealing with cancer I think this book could be a beneficial tool to help the cope with what they are going through…If you, or someone you know, are struggling with cancer I would recommend this book. It was sometimes difficult to read and it was very emotional. But at the same there were moments of hope and I think that those are the things that we all need to hold on to, regardless of what kind of struggle we are going through.”
~ Jennifer
“Diana Raab is a courageous person of extraordinary measure. Her writings touched a deep place within me even though I have been in remission now for almost 5 years.”
~ Rick Ritter
