Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #232994 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-25
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Synopsis
Barbara Clark is a former nurse and mother of three children, two with special needs, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in February 2005. During her treatment, she found that there was a drug existing, Herceptin, that would double survival chances for her particular form of cancer from 14%. However, it wasn't available on the NHS and therefore, for Barbara, unaffordable. In the midst of aggressive chemotherapy, Barbara, incredibly, found the strength to fight not just the NHS but the government, and to win the right to be prescribed the drug on the NHS, not just for herself but for thousands of other women. THE FIGHT OF MY LIFE will tell the story behind those headlines. It will tell how she first found her cancer, and what it was that gave her the will to battle on and take on, not just the disease but the authorities who were prepared to let her die for want of a drug. Barbara's reasons for living are her three children, two of whom she fosters and who have special needs: their stories and how they dealt with her cancer will also be central to this an amazing, uplifting, inspiring book.

Herceptin has treated Barbara's cancer, but it doesn't guarantee a complete cure - rather, it buys her more time to care for the people who are most precious to her, to help other women and to pursue what she calls her 'passion for life'. THE FIGHT OF MY LIFE is the story of an extraordinary woman and of great human courage in the face of despair.

Customer Reviews

what a totally courageous lady.
What a brave and inspiring story. I laughed and cried throughout this book it was such a rollercoaster of emotions, I couldnt put it down and finished in a day. What a totally amazing lady when faced with so many difficulties and yet you could feel her strength and visualise her smiling face throughout it all, a total inspiration to cancer sufferers all over the world and also others who face battles in their lives if only we could all be as strong and positive as she is. It just shows if you want something badly enough you can take on anyone and win well done Barbara an inspiration to us all.

Insightful and moving
Tinged with humour, this text has a very serious side. It explores this brave ladys campaign to secure a drug for the treatment of breast cancer. Reading the text I can empathise with the appalling situation of knowing that a treatment is available, yet, as Barbara's early experince showed, such treatment was not available to use. What could be more tantalising or cruel ? The text is easy to read and charts the campaign to secure Herceptin, and perhaps more significantly, to change UK helath policy. It shows that with determination, the voice of one person can alter the course of events.

A message for us all
This is not my usual sort of book but I was fascinated to discover just how an `ordinary' person could take on British Burocracy and beat them at their own game. It turned out to be a fascinating story of heartache and inspiration, courage and determination rarely found these days. Our government prides themselves on manipulation of the media, well Barbara Clark seems to have beaten them soundly with their own stick. Everyone should read this book and make their own personal stand for what is right, we would then live in a much better world.