Stories
Stories
Debbie Cohen Scales Her Mountain
"I never intended to write a book," says Deborah A. Cohen (MBA '87). Nor did she expect to be diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. The author of Just Get Me Through This! The Practical Guide to Breast Cancer (Kensington Publishing), Cohen wrote the book that she wished she had upon her diagnosis -- a "road map" or "operating guide" for breast cancer patients. While Just Get Me Through This! includes medical information from her coauthor, Dr. Robert M. Gelfand, its primary intent is to help women manage the day-to-day decisions and details of living with breast cancer. She hopes that arming women with better information will encourage them to become more involved in their own care and lead to better results in their fight with cancer.
Cohen was working at Price Waterhouse as marketing director for the consulting practice when she discovered a lump in 1997. Because she was young, had recently had a baseline mammogram, and was told by her doctor that 80 percent of tumors are benign, she was surprised to learn that hers was malignant. Eight days later, she had surgery to remove the tumor and began six months of treatment that included chemotherapy and radiation.
Cohen's book includes practical tips, inspirational support, and medical insights. On the practical side, Cohen discusses how to find the right wig, get rid of the bad taste of chemotherapy, and ease the pain of mouth sores. At a more emotional level, she writes about why a spouse or close friend might act distant, how to maintain a routine and avoid depression, and how to involve others in the recovery process.
The easy-to-read advice Cohen presents comes from her own experience with the disease and from conversations with other patients, survivors, and professional experts. After collecting six notepads of information that she could not find elsewhere, she realized her research might help others as well. "The book is the collective wisdom of those who've been there, the anecdotal advice only a friend might tell you," observes Cohen. "Putting it all into a book was a healing process for me as well, helping me make sense of the experience."
Throughout her treatment, Cohen continued to work but cut back on her hours. "I wanted to maintain some sort of normalcy and routine," she says, noting that her friends, family, and coworkers were extremely supportive. She also credits HBS with playing an important role in her recovery and her book project, explaining that an HBS friend directed her to one of the world's leading breast oncologists upon her diagnosis. In addition, she notes with a smile, a sectionmate came up with the title of the book.
Reflecting on this life-altering experience, Cohen is considering a career transition into health care. "I'd like to apply my skills in marketing and communications to health and medical services. In particular, the e-health world is exploding with incredible opportunity."
This August, Cohen and 125 breast cancer survivors from America and Japan will climb Mt. Fuji along with medical, research, and public-policy personnel in a venture sponsored by the Breast Cancer Fund of San Francisco. The climb has been organized to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and to serve as a vivid symbol of the strength of those who have successfully battled the disease, as well as an inspiration for those who are confronting it. Cohen is looking forward to that challenge and plans on tackling it the same way she did breast cancer -- one step at a time.
For more information on either her book or the Mt. Fuji climb, please contact Cohen at debbie@justgetmethroughthis.com.
Post a Comment
Related Stories
-
- 01 Mar 2024
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
Vital Signs
Re: Lorin Gresser (MBA 1998); By: Jen McFarland Flint -
- 01 Mar 2024
- HBS Alumni Bulletin
INK: Taking Care
Re: Kathy Giusti (MBA 1985) -
- 22 Feb 2024
- Skydeck
Combat-Tested Cancer Coaching
Re: Kathy Giusti (MBA 1985) -
- 07 Feb 2024
- New York Times
The Sound of Success
Re: Manny Simons (MBA 2012)