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Wise beyond her years, six-year-old Elena Desserich never stopped teaching those around her to appreciate the miracle of everyday living, even as she battled a rare form of brain cancer.
Notes Left Behind tells a story of humility and inspiration. Through personal and candid journal entries they wrote as a remembrance for Elena's younger sister, Brooke and Keith Desserich share their emotional journey as a family, along with the private notes Elena hid around the house for them to discover after she was gone. Heartbreaking, moving, and inspiring, Elena's notes show us how, even during the darkest moments of life, it is possible to find hope and encouragement though selfless love.
A Cincinnati couple bravely and lovingly recorded the last months of their six-year-old daughter's life after she was handed the devastating prognosis of terminal brain cancer. A trip to the doctor's office to treat Elena's strep throat resulted in an MRI that revealed a large tumor lodged within the walls of Elena's brain stem—“in the worst place with one of the worst tumors out there.” The kindergartener, who also had a younger sister, Grace, was given three to six months to live. A miracle was what the family hoped for, traveling to Memphis for six weeks of an experimental treatment involving intensive radiation, chemotherapy and tests; already Elena's speech, mobility and ability to eat had been affected, symptoms of the tumor's progression that would recede and recur over the next several months. The parents kept this diary from November 29, the beginning of their daughter's treatment, until her death August 11, “Day 256,” written in alternating POVs (mostly Keith's; Brooke's is rendered in italics), even recording some of Elena's own musings, such as that all she wanted was to be “normal.” The parents remained resolute in her treatment, even upbeat despite the anger Keith felt at the “unfairness” of this disease. Instead of planning their daughter's future, the Desseriches sadly found themselves “counting [her] days.” This heartbreakingly forthright journal helped the authors push back that “second-worst day”—when the memory of their daughter would be forgotten. (Nov.)
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Rodger Petrik
reviewed Notes Left Behind on June 21, 2012 Notes Left Behind
I picked this book up when I was at Border's one day... the cover caught my eyes, and then the synopsis pulled me in. I'm becoming a Child Life Specialist, a professional who will work with children in the hospital and help them, as well as their families, cope with their injury or illness using play. Therefore, I thought this book would give me a perspective of the parents, and how they feel as their child is diagnosed with something as big as cancer. And yet, Elena's story has taught me so much more. She has opened my eyes to how short life really is, and to spend each moment surrounding yourself with those you love.
I marked down a couple of quotes that really took hold of me while I was reading. I'd like to share a few -
"Do we ask our children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" or should we ask them, What do you want to accomplish when you grow up?" And what is the total value of all the time we spend on diversions and distractions rather than the true purpose of living? Can one person change the world? Can one person cure cancer?" [Page 90]
"Still, what is faith? Is it faith that we will make the right decisions or faith that it is in God's hands?" [Page 136]
"Instead of talking about their lasts, we have to start talking about their firsts... It's a much better way to think about life, if you can do it. It only requires hope." [Page 144]
"Never look at a day and think it is a bad day, because this may be better than tomorrow, so just thank God that you have the day at all."[Page 177]
Story of Earl the Squirrel - [Page 181]
I absolutely fell in love with the part of the book when Elena asks her daddy to dance with her at her cousins wedding. I actually cried - it was so beautiful, and made me sad to think that her dad wouldn't be able to dance with her at her own wedding.. but then I thought, well they're dancing in that moment and that's all that should matter. Enjoy the moments you have with your children, whether they are small or big. Take pictures, and really listen to your kids. They won't be young forever, and you never know what tomorrow holds. So put away that business contract of yours, turn off your cell phone, and just be with your children.
There were many other pages that impacted me, but I'd like to leave you asking yourself with what pages affected you the most, when you are finished reading the book.
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