My Angels Are Come

My Angels Are Come is a penetrating insight into the mind and heart of a prostate cancer patient, one who has chosen to use radiation therapy in his fight against the disease. The book offers a remarkably candid look into the emotional and psychological toll of virtually every aspect of the cancer treatment process.

In addition to those coping with prostate cancer - both patients and their loved ones - others who would benefit greatly from reading this book are radiation oncologists, radiation nurses and therapists, administrative directors of radiation treatment facilities, and students in any of the above fields.

The style of My Angels Are Come is not that of a highly publicized success story in the face of adversity. Quite the contrary, it is an almost quiet walk through the menace and fear of things cancer. And although the core subject of this book is indeed prostate cancer, the focus of the narrative turns again and again without apology to the sheer radiance of those who reach to help, the extraordinary group of nurses and radiation therapists at a midwestern cancer treatment center. This book tells of the deeply personal impact that these caregivers had on one of their especially needy patients, the author.

The storyline of My Angels Are Come is written in journal format and steps the reader through the real life progression of the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. The author foregoes valued personal privacy for the sake of sharing meaningful insight into every aspect of the cancer treatment experience. The narrative he delivers is frank, bold, and information rich, providing a generous behind-the-scenes look into both the nature of the disease and the complex character of the caregivers who made coping with the disease possible.

"The real impact of cancer on my life turned out to be the people," the author observes, "the remarkable caregivers who treated me - my angels. In the end this book is really their story, seen through my eyes, my disease... my heart."

The Author: Art Stump has been a professional photographer for more than 30 years and has a natural bent for observing people and situations involving people. He truly sees and remembers compositions of circumstances. Insatiably curious, Mr. Stump found the disease, the medicines, and the cutting-edge technology used in his own therapy rich with discovery. In My Angels Are Come he shares his explorations freely with the reader, offering acutely personal insights into the world of prostate cancer and its treatment.

That said, the truly life-changing experiences that remain with Mr. Stump to this day are not those of exotic hardwares and chemistries, but of people - always the people. This book is above all an enthusiastic celebration of the devoted group of caregivers who literally gave him back his life.