Rating:  Summary: "I Knew I didn't Want to be the second one to Go...' Review: Gilda Radner died at age 42- and she didn't have to. That's
what kept going through my head as I read this book, for the
first time,and the sixth time. Knowing how the story ends casts
a shadow over this bright and articulate memoir somewhat, if
only because you know that Gilda's optimism and wishing didn't
do any good. You see, all of her life, she had such a fear of
cancer that she would cross the street if the word was on a
sign or building. She even hated her astrological sign,
which amazingly enough, was Cancer, because she throught it was
an unhappy omen. When she's finally diagnosed with the disease,
you can feel her terror and frustration leaping off the pages,
partly because she went from doctor to doctor when she first
had symptoms, and confided her fears. They gave her the
medical equivilent of a pat on the head, as you would a dis-
illusioned child, and sent her home. They wouldn't even test
for it, which was outrageous. When it was discovered too late,
they tried their best to cure her, but.... well, sadly, we all
know the outcome.
This book is not written by an angel who had a perfect life
and a perfect marriage. Gene Wilder her husband and support
system, loses his patience at times, but these are two human
beings, not trying to live up to anybody's expectations of
what a cancer patient or their significant other is like.
Gene Wilder handles himself admirably, partly because he held
his wife's belief that she would get well.
I liked this book, and still do, but it's not for the
squeamish, as Gilda gives graphic accounts of nearly all the
procedures that were performed on her, including chemotherapy.
And it's not for people who believe that "good people" don't
suffer, because she's a good person, and suffer she does.
This is an excellent book for people who think that their
bad day at the office, "F" on their kid's report card,etc., are
the end of the world. If this book doesn't put the small stuff
into perspective for you, nothing will.
There's an African proverb that says if you call the name of a
deceased person once a day, they live on. And that's why I read
this book often, because that wonderful, sparkling spirit that
was Gilda should never be allowed to die.
Rating:  Summary: It's Always Something Review: Gilda's heart, as well as her short-comings, shown through this cancer saga, making her so real. It was good sharing this one-way communication regarding ovarian cancer experience, even while knowing that times and protocols have changed -- for the better.It's Always Something made it more personal and gave me the opportunity to get another cancer patients perspective on this disease. The last two pages warmed my heart and were the core of the entire book, to be read and re-read. Thanks to Gilda for bringing this silent disease to the fore.
Rating:  Summary: moving story Review: i always liked the comedy of gilda radner . . . this moving book tells of her battle against cancer, yet it is surprisinlgy upbeat . . . not for everybody, but i was moved by it.
Rating:  Summary: Uplifting & eye-opening Review: I always watched "Saturday Night Live" as a kid & wanted to be on there because it seemed like so much fun. The "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" lived a charmed life to me. So when I found out Gilda Radner had cancer, I was heartbroken. Now that I have read this, my eyes have opened to people who have this awful disease and Gilda's courage was uplifting & inspiring. Definitely a must-read for all!
Rating:  Summary: Uplifting & eye-opening Review: I always watched "Saturday Night Live" as a kid & wanted to be on there because it seemed like so much fun. The "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" lived a charmed life to me. So when I found out Gilda Radner had cancer, I was heartbroken. Now that I have read this, my eyes have opened to people who have this awful disease and Gilda's courage was uplifting & inspiring. Definitely a must-read for all!
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful and sad Review: I could not help feeling a sense of sadness hovering over me while reading this book. After all, I knew the end already. This made it even harder to go through the passages where Gilda is full of hope, or when she receives good news about her remission. It was very courageous of her to put her thoughts on paper, and I am sure so many people have benefited from reading about her experiences. It always amazes me how people can be so candid about their "dirty laundry". For example, her cancer had a negative impact on her marriage. There were fights, some very ugly, and yet she is able to bare it all. I am sure it was not with a voyeuristic sense, but to show what havoc cancer can run in your life, and how you are not alone in your feelings. Ultimately this is what she found at The Wellness Community, and what she wished to give back. Good for her.
Rating:  Summary: Wonderful and sad Review: I could not help feeling a sense of sadness hovering over me while reading this book. After all, I knew the end already. This made it even harder to go through the passages where Gilda is full of hope, or when she receives good news about her remission. It was very courageous of her to put her thoughts on paper, and I am sure so many people have benefited from reading about her experiences. It always amazes me how people can be so candid about their "dirty laundry". For example, her cancer had a negative impact on her marriage. There were fights, some very ugly, and yet she is able to bare it all. I am sure it was not with a voyeuristic sense, but to show what havoc cancer can run in your life, and how you are not alone in your feelings. Ultimately this is what she found at The Wellness Community, and what she wished to give back. Good for her.
Rating:  Summary: Truly Inspiring Review: I have always loved Gilda Radner's sense of humor, but this book showed me there is much more to her than just her ability to make people laugh. This book was written by Gilda herself and chronicles her battle with ovarian cancer. She goes into detail about certain procedures she had done, about how she reacted when she lost her hair from chemo and about how the Wellness Community helped to keep her sane when she could no longer cope with having cancer. I had tears in my eyes thoughout the book, but I was able to smile and rejoice along with Gilda when she managed to put a positive spin on a bad situation. It doesn't matter if the reader can relate to her experiences or not. This book will touch your heart either way.
Rating:  Summary: Life As Gilda Saw It. Review: I have read "It's Always Something" by Gilda Radner probably a dozen or so times. Last night, I finished it once again. The message that Gilda gives to us is that you can never give up and no matter how bad things may seem in your own life, it can always be worse. Gilda Radner was a class act. She left behind memories that will someday make my children laugh. Gilda died as she lived; with respect, humor and dignity. Whenever I feel that life cannot get any worse, I pick up her book and it inspires me to go back out there and do whatever I can do to just get through the day. She is right when she says that some poems don't rhyme and some stories do not have a clear beginning, middle or end. Life was too short for Gilda. Her incredible life is her legacy. She made me laugh and I miss her. I finished the book once again, and I feel very sad today.
Rating:  Summary: Life As Gilda Saw It. Review: I have read "It's Always Something" by Gilda Radner probably a dozen or so times. Last night, I finished it once again. The message that Gilda gives to us is that you can never give up and no matter how bad things may seem in your own life, it can always be worse. Gilda Radner was a class act. She left behind memories that will someday make my children laugh. Gilda died as she lived; with respect, humor and dignity. Whenever I feel that life cannot get any worse, I pick up her book and it inspires me to go back out there and do whatever I can do to just get through the day. She is right when she says that some poems don't rhyme and some stories do not have a clear beginning, middle or end. Life was too short for Gilda. Her incredible life is her legacy. She made me laugh and I miss her. I finished the book once again, and I feel very sad today.
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