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First Impression: A Cancer Fight Club Manual that will provide you with knowledge and thought to ask the right questions of your oncologist.

In Memory Of My Sister book cover

About In Memory of my Sister

In Memory of My Sister, by Kimberly Syres, is a memorialized account of a courageous mother’s battle against multiple cancers told from the viewpoint of her older sister. In addition, it aims to spread awareness of some of the negative effects of cancer treatments that can encourage the disease as well as control it. Alas, as the title would suggest, the battle was not to be won. However, may this be an account that inspires other cancer sufferers, survivors, and their families.

I want to thank Kimberley for the gift of her book, offered freely in exchange for an honest review. It is an honor to be trusted with someone’s intimate story. Here Kimberley opened up not just her siter, but also herself. May Candace live on through her amazing tenacity for life and the words of inspiration she shared often.

In Memory of my Sister’s Opening

The opening chapter has a very Genesis feel about it. Not for any religious or spiritual reason. No, more due to the fact that it gives a whistle stop tour of which sibling is which, the pecking order, the kids they have between them, and the important roles they play in society. For a ‘poor’ family, a wealth of education is completed between the ‘Syres’ siblings, including the medical knowledge of Kimberly Syres herself. The story then embarks on a cohesive journey that explains Candace Syre’s journey through cancer whilst pregnant at 17, through to her passing almost three decades later.

The gloves are back on, and I am back in the ring with cancer, on its terms and without a referee. But I have help (smile). I have learned that cancer wants to fatigue me. It wants to outlast me. So, when I am tired, I rest and pass the gloves to someone in my support system. I let them fight for me. This is very important to my survival. And then when ready, I put the gloves back on and FIGHT like HELL.

What to expect from In Memory of my Sister

Sharing texts, pictures, poetry and conversations with the reader, Kimberly unashamedly demonstrates the strength of her sister’s character and her resolve to keep fighting, even though Candace was receiving her third bout of bad news in twenty years. Though the battle may have been a tremendous effort, Candace keeps her wits about her to send hope and inspiration from beyond the grave to make us more mindful of our own persistence regardless of what we are fighting. And throughout it all, do not be afraid to lean on those that offer you a crutch. They are in the battle too.

Is this a happy story? No. Is it a riveting read? No. Is it moving? Hmmm, not in the way that you would think. Perhaps due to the author’s background, there is a matter-of-fact nature and a clinical feel. Like…it is what it is. My sister accepted her fate and I accepted my sister. However, do not be discouraged by what the book is not. What this book is, is the cancer fight club manual. For anyone that has encountered cancer, reading between the lines as much as the lines themselves will provide you with knowledge and thought to ask the right questions of your oncologist. It will let you know that your fight is not in vain and nor is it being fought alone. You can be sick in the body, but not in your thoughts and spirit.

Who is Candace Syres?

Candace Syres is an inspiration who battled an illness the entire duration of motherhood and lived to raise a wonderful family that went on to achieve their own successes to rival her own. In some ways, the book is one of two halves. The early chapters are background, a look at different cancers, and different points in Candice’s life. It is a sister frank recollection of the key details. By the time we get to the ending chapters, i.e., ‘Collection of My Writings on My Sister,’ the story repeats but in the form of poetry, letters, and journal entries that convey a sense of awe for the person Candace was, and a sense of grief for not having one’s sister and best friend in this physical existence any longer.

Final Thoughts on In Memory of my Sister

Due to its very personal nature and its narrow focus on Candace Syres, this book will not appeal to individuals that have little experience of terminal illness and grief. For this reason, it is a book you read out of necessity rather than desire and the main reason for scoring it 3 out of 5 stars on average. It will score higher for those that it can directly impact and lower for those that are unable to connect with the subject matter. The subject matter is triggering and deals with terminal illness, death, and grief that no child should have to endure. This is the primary reason for the R rating.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / R Rated

Have you say: Cancer is one of those cruel illnesses that leave no family untouched. If you have a loved one you would like the Papergirl Community to pray for, please drop your request in the comments below.

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