SEBASTOPOL, CA -- To the thousands who have regularly visited
her
Web site or subscribed to one of her
30 Internet mailing lists, since 1995 Barbara "Granny Barb"
Lackritz has been recognized as the leading wired patient
advocate for those adults diagnosed with leukemia. As someone who
is a survivor of the illness and who has communicated her
experiences and knowledge to thousands of others online, in
March 2001 Lackritz again expands her patient reach with the
publication of her first book, Adult Leukemia: A Comprehensive
Guide for Patients and Families (Patient-Centered Guides;
$29.95).
Her book is a no-nonsense, step-by-step presentation of the
knowledge she has gleaned from her personal experiences, and from
the thousands of others who have shared their experiences. The
536-page book addresses diagnosis and medical tests, locating a
good oncologist, characteristics of leukemia (an often baffling
condition to identify), treatment options
and their side-effects, emotional responses, and community
support. Sprinkled through the book are personal stories of those
whose lives have been impacted by adult leukemia. The book
culminates in a comprehensive resource list of leukemia-specific
organizations, books, medical resources, drug information,
alterative health resources, and patient support organizations.
"Patients' experience with leukemia may be their most vulnerable,
powerless experience since early childhood," says Lackritz.
"Getting the support they need is critical to adequate recovery,
especially during and after relatively risky procedures such as
bone marrow transplants. While nobody knows better than patients
how they interact with doctors, nurses, insurance companies,
family members, and co-workers, my past experiences and those of
other leukemia survivors may help patients spot troubles before
they arise, or view old problems in a new way."
About the Author
For 40 years Lackritz worked as a speech and language
pathologist. Today she dedicates her time to her volunteer work
as a patient advocate, including volunteering for the Association
of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR); cooperating with the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society's First Connection; the Anderson Network and
Dana Farber Cancer Institute Patient to Patient programs;
speaking at cancer patient support programs nationally; and as a
participant in the Cancer Survivor's Network. She is a member of
the Council of Public Representatives for the Director of the
National Institutes of Health.
Adult
Leukemia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Families
by Barbara Lackritz
$29.95, 536 pages, paperback
ISBN: 0-596-50001-7
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2001
About Patient-Centered Guides
Patient empowerment is at the core of Patient-Centered Guides.
We believe that people are empowered when they have the
knowledge and skills to partner with their doctor or
healthcare provider to get the best medical care possible.
We publish books that contain clear, concise, easy to understand
information about the medical, practical and emotional aspects of
health issues. Our authors are experts in specific
conditions and diseases and are the driving forces behind building
strong and networked communities of patients, families and caregivers.
In addition to our books, we publish information
on the web.
Our site is an extension of our mission
to empower individuals to become informed health-conscious consumers.
Patient-Centered Guides is a division of O'Reilly & Associates,
Inc. O'Reilly is recognized worldwide for its technical books
that fill a void and provide value to people who are experiencing
information pain. O'Reilly publishes books that make a difference
in people's lives.
