The Mother of All Fights: Everything Cancer Taught Me About Living a Full and Vibrant Life

by Erin Soto

Overview

In the spirit of Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips and When Life Gives You Pears, The Mother of All Fights is an unflinching, practical, inspirational, and ultimately uplifting story of survival and renewal in the face of a devastating health crisis.

Erin Soto was living the life of the average overly-committed mom and wife-managing her kids' schedules and myriad household duties while struggling to find time for herself. She had shrugged off the warning signs that something was physically "off" until, finally, she could not ignore her health any longer. Her world came to a crashing halt when the mother of four was delivered a shocking diagnosis at age 37: Stage 3 colon cancer.

The Mother of All Fights is an uncensored glimpse into the often harrowing and sometimes shocking twists and turns of life encountered on Erin's journey toward healing her mind, body, and soul. She recounts her diagnosis and treatment; challenging conversations she had with her children; how she came to terms with questions about the future; and how she ultimately learned to use the experience as an opportunity to become deeply present in her life, connected with her body, and engaged with the world.

Offering readers struggling with illness or searching for peace in the wake of personal tragedy a path to find meaning in their darkest moments, The Mother of All Fights is both a deeply personal story and practical roadmap for thriving in the face of uncertainty and loss. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798985407426
Publisher:	Pura Vida Press
Publication date:	03/01/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	270
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Erin Soto is a motivational speaker, author, wellness activist and Stage 3 cancer survivor. Upon receiving her life-changing diagnosis, and throughout her treatment and recovery, Erin dedicated herself to making meaningful and sustainable changes to improve her physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. With her personal experiences in hand, she is now committed to helping others take charge of their health. She lives in Southern California with her husband and four children. The Mother of All Fights is her first book.

Table of Contents

Contents

INTRODUCTION VII

PART I. WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY, THE TEACHER ARRIVES 1

Lesson 1. Your Body Is Trying to Tell You Something. Listen 3

Lesson 2. Let Yourself Be Guided 17

Lesson 3. Allow Yourself to Process the News 35

PART II. HOW TO HEAL THE MIND 53

Lesson 4. Cancer Is a Symptom, Find the Source 55

Lesson 5. Mindset Is Your Greatest Medicine 67

Lesson 6. You Can Choose to Be happy 79

Lesson 7. Release the Pressure Where You can 87

PART III. HOW TO HEAL THE BODY 103

Lesson 8. Know What You're Walking Into 105

Lesson 9. Find A Way to Keep Going 123

Lesson 10. Think About What You Put in Your Body 137

Lesson 11. Think About What You Put on Your Body 151

PART IV. HOW TO HEAL THE SOUL 157

Lesson 12. Know When to Let Go 159

Lesson 13. Get in Touch with Your Soul 173

Lesson 14. Surround Yourself with Love 181

PART V. THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER 201

Lesson 15. Become a Master in Handling Setbacks 203

Lesson 16. You Are Stronger Than You Think 211

Lesson 17. Believe in Your Ability to Thrive 227

EPILOGUE 245

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 251

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 253

NOTES 257

BOOKS 259

WEBSITES 260

Editorial Reviews

2022-03-09
A debut memoir that explores what one woman’s struggle with illness taught her about living a wholesome life.

One morning in late 2019, Soto woke up in extreme pain and felt something like a “hard round object” in her stomach area. After spending several months with uncomfortable symptoms and avoiding the doctor, she learned that she had colorectal cancer. She was 37, and her family was already going through financial hardship. Soto, a motivational speaker and wellness advocate, weaves together anecdotes from before and after her diagnosis, noting her grief and her quest to find balance and joy while accepting her situation. She also provides statistics about colorectal cancer from the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and other sources, and how it affects people younger than 50, which used to be the standard age to begin colorectal cancer screenings. The author tells how she found ways to cope by taking care of her mind as well as her body, by relying on family and friends, and by doing research to find a team of “experts in as many areas as possible.” She notes how difficult it was to find moments of happiness during her cancer fight, which included extreme fatigue, sadness, and pain. At the same time, she asserts that happiness is a necessary component for healing: “You are not happy because everything in your life is good, but because you decide to find the good in everything, including cancer.” The book effectively focuses on hope, offering readers as many resources as possible to take charge of their health. Indeed, the author’s tone is often remarkably positive, as she encourages fellow cancer sufferers to prioritize self-care and time with loved ones. Soto relates her story in a straightforward, conversational tone, with anecdotes that are relatable and vulnerable. At the end of each chapter, she offers helpful, practical advice, such as how to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy, or a list of resources. All in all, it’s a useful and clearly written guide for cancer patients and their loved ones.

A clear and compelling remembrance and self-help work.

Kirkus Reviews