A Way Back to Health: 12 Lessons from a Cancer Survivor

by Kelley Skoloda

Overview

Kelley Skoloda was the healthiest person she knew—until the day she became a cancer patient.

During her first, routine colonoscopy—without having experienced any symptoms—Kelley received a shocking diagnosis: colon cancer. Based on the true story of her subsequent cancer journey, A Way Back to Health reveals how surprising lessons paved the way for her recovery, shares helpful action steps for those who find themselves in a similar situation, and illuminates how personal stories can powerfully motivate and heal. In addition to telling her own story, Kelley also features examples of how other, amazing survivors have learned to manage, survive and thrive in the face of cancer. She also explores how often overlooked actions, such as trusting your instincts, speaking up, getting a second opinion, and watching for miracles, can have a profound impact on recovery—lessons meant to help patients advocate for themselves and help friends, family, and caregivers as they wrestle with cancer and its treatment.

Much more prevalent than COVID-19, cancer will affect one in three people directly, and many more indirectly, in their lifetime. A Way Back to Health, with its real-life stories and unexpected lessons, is a helpful and relatable guide to the most important information you need to know about cancer—for the time you need it most.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647422189
Publisher:	She Writes Press
Publication date:	11/09/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Kelley Skoloda is a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, author, and MBA; the founder and CEO of KS Consulting&Capital; and, now, a cancer survivor. She is a recognized authority on consumer brand marketing whose business book, Too Busy to Shop: Marketing to Multi-Minding Women, was named a “must read” by Publisher’s Weekly. As cochair of the investment committee of the Next Act Fund, she invests in female-led startup companies. She has been named one of the “most influential women in business” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and serves on several boards of directors. She has been quoted in HuffPo, Time.com, TODAY.com, Fortune.com, Forbes, Adweek, BRANDWEEK, C-SPAN, and many other media outlets. Kelley’s family is the center of her life and she loves to golf, cook, travel, and enjoy cat humor with them. She is grateful every day for the love and support she received throughout her health challenges and hopes her story can be helpful to others navigating cancer. She currently resides in Greensburg, PA.

Table of Contents

Foreword: by Lisa Lurie, survivor, author, and cofounder of Cancer Be Glammed xi

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1 My Story 1

Chapter 2 Learn to Trust Your Instincts 15

Chapter 3 Do Your Research 25

Chapter 4 Prepare to Speak Up 41

Chapter 5 Know Your Medical History 49

Chapter 6 Make Your List of Questions 57

Chapter 7 Get a Second Opinion 69

Chapter 8 Prepare for Treatment 79

Chapter 9 Talk with Friends and Family (or Don't) 91

Chapter 10 Open Yourself to Kindness 101

Chapter 11 Fake It till You Make It 111

Chapter 12 Watch for Miracles 123

Chapter 13 You Are Stronger Than You Know 131

Epilogue 139

Appendix: "Butterflies in My Stomach" 143

Notes 147

Acknowledgments 153

About the Author 155

Editorial Reviews

As the CEO of a biotech company with a focus on oncology and as a cancer survivor, I’m inspired by Kelley Skoloda’s powerful story and actionable insights.”
—Teresa Whalen, RPh, CEO of CytoAgents Inc.

“For anyone interested in health advocacy, A Way Back to Health is a must-read. As a professional health communicator, I value Kelley Skoloda’s patient-centered story and focus on speaking up.”
—Stephanie Moritz, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, American Dental Association

From the Publisher