I have a friend who was readmitted to the hospital last month. She had cancer in her leg and after a few months of thinking she was going to be fine, she developed a massive infection. They are now talking amputation if things do not change soon.

She's only 23 and such a great girl it breaks my heart I'd like to bring something to make her feel better and thought a good book may be nice. All she can do is sit in bed and she's really bummed. Anyone have any suggestions?

Hmmm - I read a lot, but my friends tell me I always read books with depression and oppression, so I don't want to recommend something that might bring her down. However, I do have a few suggestions:

John Irving - he has many great books and most are qutie funny. The world according to Garp and The Hotel New Hampshire come to mind. My favs are: A Son of the Circus and A Prayer for Owen Meany, but the first two I mentioned might be a tad funnier.

Gregory Maguire - Wicked - I loved this book and wished it was never over.

It's not much to offer, but I hope it helps.

Any thing by Nora Roberts is usually light and happy.

I'll keep your friend in my prayers.

What about Jonathan Livingston Seagull or The Little Prince.

Corny choices maybe, but uplifting nonetheless.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Carrie.

2the9s said:

mmm those are good choices.

how about some of the Shel Silverstein poetry books? A Light in the Attic, etc?

I'm sorry too, Carrie. that sucks.

You can never go wrong with a David Sedaris book. "Naked" will make anyone laugh out loud at some point.

One of the funniest books I've ever read is Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth. It's about a guy who can't stop masturbating. I laughed out loud many times while reading it.

Thanks guys. I'll look into your suggestions

Anx said:

"holidays on the rocks" is pretty funny, too. especially the story about being a macy's elf.


"even cowgirls get the blues" and "skinny legs and all" by tom robbins are light, funny, and quite substantial. A good choice if you're going to be stationary for awhile.


I'm very sorry about your friend. Cancer is a demon.

JasmineFire said:

I think I'll skip the "Skinny Legs" one

I believe they were able to get the cancer out of her leg a few years ago. They did something where they replaced a bone but she tweaked it last summer. So she was in the hospital all last summer and then just a few months ago she was able to get off crutches. Then one day she went to work and her leg was red and swollen and she couldn't walk so she was rushed to the E.R and she hasn't been out of the hospital since.

CarrieLee said:

that sounds so similar to my aunt's story. i'm sorry to hear it's happening to someone so young.



oh yes....and "skinny legs and all" is not about legs or anything and it's very entertaining. she may like it despite her condition.
[Edited 6/7/06 16:00pm]

'The Alchemist' by Paolo Coelho. It's a novel about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path and above all following our dreams.

Natsume said:

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite books.

...
[Edited 6/11/06 3:28am]

The Georgia Nicholson books by Louise Rennison are really funny. They're written for teenagers but they're so wild that any age would like them:
1. Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging
2.On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God.
3.Dancing in my Nuddy Pants
4.Further Confessions of Georgia Nicholson
5.Knocked Out by my Nunga Nungas
6.Away laughing on a Fast Camel
and I think there's one or two more. Not exactly uplifting, but hilarious.

All of us at the ORG wish her well!!!!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I really, really appreciate them!

Kallie was able to go home Friday afternoon. She will remain on antibiotics through I.V and hopefully rid the infection. Still not sure if she will be able to keep her leg or not but she is just happy to be home.

JDINTERACTIVE said:

My all-time favorite novel - I have given away more copies than I can keep track of, and at least two people have made major life-altering changes to follow their dreams as a result. I rarely have a copy because I always give them to other people.

My boss was reading this a few days ago, and when I commented on it, she bought me the new deluxe edition as a gift. It's beautiful. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

CarrieLee said:

That is great news!!!!!