Cancer Stories

Host Nancy Hamilton Myers (a cancer survivor herself) takes viewers into the lives of several cancer patients, asking similar questions of interviewees who survived various forms of the disease. Speaking with folks in their living rooms (and in one case in the hospital during treatment), Myers asks about type of cancer, treatments, emotional responses, reactions of family and friends, and more. Some of the stories are startling, such as the sufferer with appendix cancer (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, associated with his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War), who had a 20-pound mass removed. Although the questions are identical, the answers vary: some react to their cancer diagnosis with tears and thoughts of “Why me? I've lived a healthy life,” while another person says he was thankful that he struggled with the disease, not a loved one. Some even say their lives have changed for the better, bringing couples closer together, for instance, in the face of uncertainty. An insightful and often inspiring documentary, this is recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)