The Silver Lining by Hollye Jacobs

The Silver Lining: A supportive and insightful guide to breast cancer by Hollye Jacobs

This book was on The New York Times Best Seller List and is a great gift of hope and inspiration.

As a healthy, happy thirty-nine-year-old mother with no family history of breast cancer, being diagnosed with the disease rocked Hollye Jacobs’ world. Having worked as a nurse, social worker, and child development specialist for fifteen years, she suddenly found herself in the position of moving into the hospital bed. She was trained as a clinician to heal. In her role as patient, the healing process became personal.

Exquisitely illustrated with full-color photographs by Jacobs’ close friend, award-winning photographer Elizabeth Messina, The Silver Lining is both Jacobs’ memoir and a practical, supportive resource for anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.

In the first section of each chapter, she describes with humor and wisdom her personal experience and gives details about her diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and recovery. The second section of each chapter is told from Hollye’s point of view as a medical expert. In addition to providing a glossary of important terms and resources, she addresses the physical and emotional aspects of treatment and highlights what patients can expect on their journey.

Looking for and finding Silver Linings buoyed Hollye from the time of her diagnosis throughout her double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and recovery. They gave her the balance and perspective to get her through the worst days, and they compose the soul of the book.

The Silver Lining of Hollye’s illness is that she can now use the knowledge gleaned from her experience to try to make it better for those who have to follow her down this difficult path. Hollye is the experienced girlfriend who wants to help shed some light in the darkness, provide guidance through the confusion, and hold your hand every step of the way.