Planet Cancer.

My friend Heidi Adams, the founder of the organization Planet Cancer, sent me a copy of her new book, titled, appropriately enough, "Planet Cancer:The frequently bizarre yet always informative experiences and thoughts of your fellow natives." It is basically a book tailored to AYAs (those 15 to 39) diagnosed with cancer and those who love them. But really, cancer survivors and family members and friends of all ages will find this book entertaining and informative. There are stories from "real" people as to what it's like to participate in a clinical trial, what it's like to experience "roid rage", and what it's like to have your leg amputated. Sprinkled throughout the book are the Planet Cancer infamous "Top 10" lists that will make anyone crack up laughing. But all jokes aside, the book provides easy to understand, clear information about treatment, diagnosis, various tests, side effects, returning to the "real world", cancer in the workplace, relationships and cancer, and so much more. The book is informative and urges patients to be proactive without being preachy, and though it obviously deals with heavy stuff, nothing is sugar-coated or overly dramaticized. It reads like a conversation with a sarcastically funny, well-informed cancer advocate who doesn't shy away from some jokes that may seem inappropriate to some people. The book "goes there", and that's great. Having read many, if not most, of the books out there on cancer for "laypeople", this book ranks up there with the best of them (and I'm not just saying that because I know Heidi). AYAs especially are often forgotten about, and this book helps them feel like there are other people out there who can understand. There is also a large resource section at the end with books and websites and organizations where readers can find more information about everything mentioned in the book.

One of the Top Ten lists, contributed by other people I am lucky enough to "know" through the internet, JT and his boyfriend Michael, is this one:

Top 10 Attractions at the "Michael Diaz Dream Cancer Center for Young Adults"

10. Radiation laser tag.

9. No candy stripers - just strippers named Candy.

8. Try your luck at a basketball shooting game, only the rim is about a foot away. Face it: none of us has the strength to shoot a normal distance.

7. Win cool prizes, like, like....insurance coverage for another year! Keep the fucking stuffed animal.

6. Those mist things spray the med of your choice. (Imagine that. Now imagine that spraying Dilaudid. Hellz yeah).

5. All nurses' stations double as full-service bars. Push your nurse call button and order whatever the hell you want.

4. Vincristine or [insert name of your chemo here] is called "motherfucker": "Hey, I don't want any more of that motherfucker."

3. When you're prepping for surgery, you don't use any anesthesia. You just have sex until you pass out.

2. Everything is a game. You know, if you need to vomit, we bring in people you hate so you can vomit on them. Or we can line up the vomiters and see whose vomit is most toxic.

1. And how about the section where they give out nice, sensual massages to anyone who wants one? And you get a happy ending!