Resurrection Lily
The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew

Before reading this memoir I had some small knowledge regarding the BRCA gene. If I had been asked before reading this book whether I felt I was fairly well informed on the subject of breast cancer and the BRCA Gene, I would have confidently said that I was. Now, upon completion of Amy Byer Shainman......more

A Soul Baring Memoir In Yiddish, there is a word, bashert, which translates to "meant to be". Would I want Jan to have three cancers? No! But Amy, as detective for her family, became the voice of a grandmother who was gone at a young age and left a legacy of breadcrumbs to be followed. Amy followed t......more

For me, reading Resurrection Lily was, in equal parts, terrifying and inspiring. It was my introduction to a world filled with life-threatening disease, uncertain prognoses, pain, and the miasma of modern medicine. At the same time, I felt in awe of the courage of the author, her sibling, her friend......more

Many thanks to the author for sharing her experience, research and information upon learning that she tested positive for the BRCA 1 Mutation and her research into her family history of cancer on her father’s side through her maternal grandmother’s family. The author not only shares her personal exp......more

The book does an excellent job of explaining complex medical topics—particularly in genetics and cancer research—in a way that is accessible and engaging. What I appreciated most was its hopeful tone. While the subject matter is deeply personal and, at times, emotional, the author’s focus on the prog......more