Rating: 
Summary: On Cancer Schmancer
Review: I saw the cover of this book and had to look twice at the title.
I didn't want to believe that the Nanny had or was ill with cancer. Reading the first paragraph on the back cover sold me on the book which I promptly bought(being a huge fan and an ex-cancerian helped too!)Fran shared a lot of the experiences and thoughts that I went through. Mis-diagnoses, breakup of long term partnership, ditto,ditto. Fran speaks of her family and friends supporting her, her fears of dying when she didn't know what was happening to her and her mistrust of the medical profession. I have cried and laughed reading this book and it is the only cancer recovery book I have read or am ever going to read, only because it was by Fran. Unless of course Barbra writes one. Oy!
Rating:
Summary: Life and Illness after the Nanny
Review: Fran Drescher's last season of her hit TV show was traumatic for many reasons, her separation, the studio's decision to cancel, and most of all, she wasn't feeling well. This is the story of her search for the cause of her illness, diagnosis and her amazing recovery. She is a really good story teller. I finished the book in one day. You really find yourself rooting for her and her new life. Good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but Too Whiny
Review: I wasn't a fan of the Nanny t.v. show but when I saw the book I started reading it at the bookstore and ended up buying it. I sympathize with her "year from hell" (i.e., cancer, show cancellation, divorce, death of pet, etc.) but she doesn't seem to get how privileged she was having the means to excellent and exclusive healthcare. She also had the luxury to recuperate at leisure, be pampered by friends and family which most working women don't. Also, as savvy as Ms. Drescher is, I wondered why she didn't seek alternative medical advice too? It's funny in spots but the "poor me" drivel gets to you by the end of the book. Maybe if I'd known she had donated the proceeds of the book to a woman's cancer charity or something, I wouldn't be so hard on her. Instead, the cynic in me can see her on the talk shows promoting the book and herself with gusto.
Rating: 
Summary: Dishing with Fran
Review: Congratulations Fran! Your book was wonderful. It was both frank and funny. I was so sorry you had to go through such an ordeal. I usually go to my doctor's appointments with a list of questions. They should be both respectful of us and our inquiries. I know how stressful it is to await test results. I sympathize with you about your beloved Chester. My family and I had to put our dog Muffin to sleep a few years ago. It was the heardest thing we ever had to do. Thank God for your great 2 year check up. I will continue to pray for you. Thanks for the Nanny. You and the cast were great. Looking forward to you next project. Fondly.
Rating:
Summary: Take Control of Your Healthcare
Review: Because my job is in a medical center, I was drawn to the book because of the author's message encouraging patients to speak up on their own behalf. No, doctors are not perfect, and it's important that everyone should feel they have the right to question these authority figures. As healthcare gets more and more complex, it becomes more and more important that each individual take it upon themselves to be responsible for the care they receive. If you have questions or concerns--say so--and if you don't understand the reply, ask again. Some patients feel they are betraying their doctor if they want another opinion about a diagnosis. That is not true--if you want another opinion and don't get one, you're betraying yourself. I found the book funny, revealing, and encouraging.
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Summary: If you're looking for inspiration, it isn't here.
Review: I agree with the editorial review above by Booklist's Ilene Cooper. This would have made a better article for a woman's magazine. There is not enough interesting material in this book to warrant 200+ pages. I give it two stars: The first for the one good piece of advice that Drescher offers her readers, which is that if you are in pain or you know something isn't right with your body, don't let any doctor tell you it's normal. Get another opinion, and another, until you get to the cause of the problem. You are your own best advocate for good medical care. Aside from that important message, which can't be repeated often enough, there is virtually nothing inspirational about this book. The second star is for the fact that I received my copy at a benefit to help cancer patients, at which Drescher was the guest speaker, so I applaud her efforts in that regard. The rest of the book is all about how tough it is to receive good care when the whole world is blinded by your celebrity status. Drescher offers more info on which celebrity friends she had lunch or dinner with before and after her various doctor's visits, who she traveled to Paris with after her show was canceled, etc., than she does on the actual cancer or any profound changes her illness brought about. Despite telling us that her good friends Donna and Danny Aykroyd spend half their lives protecting their privacy, Drescher doesn't hesitate to mention them in practically every chapter of her book. She chastises the press for the 'feeding frenzy' that occurred when she and ex-husband Peter split up, and vows never to reveal such personal details of her life to the press again. Then in the next chapters, she goes into much detail about her bowel movements and her sex life with her 26-year old boy toy. One whole chapter is devoted to the death of her prescious 19-year old Pomeranian, Chester, and the endless search for a replacement dog--another Pomeranian in case you were wondering. Unless you're still mourning the cancellation of 'The Nanny' I don't recommend buying this book.
Rating:
Summary: Oy!
Review: I loved this book! It was easy to read, but yet gave a detailed account of the hell Ms. Drescher lived in leading up to the diagnosis and post-op. Sadly, her story is one of many out there! There are too many patients who are not diagnosed in time, who are not treated like human beings but like numbers by their physicians, patients who are not given the care and the love they deserve, not only because they are human beings, but also because they are ill, scared and feel alone and just need someone to lend an ear, someone that understands what they are going through. I recommend this book to anyone who cares and understands!
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Summary: Just a bit too much whining...
Review: Having always been a fan of "Franny Fine", I felt drawn to her literal work. What a let down. Having known individuals that went through the same surgery as she for the same reasons, reading this book has given me much more respect for those "non- celebs" who, I see now, were much stronger, without the luxuries Fran had. Not to dismis the ordeal she went through, the book just was not what I had hoped for. Even her literal sense did her no good to raise her appreciation in my eyes. It goes from slang to intelligence in one paragraph. I would however like to mention, as an animal lover, her chapter deicated to her dog, Chester. Although she is no poet either, it was very touching.
Rating: 
Summary: Rich Lady Whining
Review: I had a very hard time feeling sorry for Ms. Drescher. She got a bruise on her hand from an IV so she ran off and went antique shopping. Months after her surgery she still couldn't sit in a luxury car without pain. Her maid had to unpack for her in her new beach house.
Poor baby!
What about the real world? If there are real women out there not being diagnosed, what will happen to them if they cannot afford to go to 8 or 10 doctors like our celebrity did? I felt as if she was making herself out to be a much bigger celebrity than she is and trying to impress us- if she wants to impress me, she can donate the proceeds of her book to cancer research.
Rating:
Summary: Like Reading An Email From Your Best Friend
Review: Reading this book is like getting a really long email from your best girlfriend - if she happens to be Fran Drescher! Imagine that when you do talk, you tell each other EVERYTHING, and that for some reason you guys have been out of touch for the last few turbulent years. Then, read on! This book is a lot of fun if you enjoy contemporary autobiographies, an honest account over a struggle with and victory over a life threatening disease, an insider view into stuff celebrities deal with, and/or are just looking for a fun, quick read over a weekend. I loved it. Amazon had reeled me in by recommending it based on my high review for Michael J Fox's book - also a great read with probably a bit more depth than this one - but this one is tops for girl-talk.
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