How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (With Jokes)

How Steve Became Ralph is an odyssey in every sense of the word. Buechler transforms a devastating cancer diagnosis into a literary quest infused with intelligence mindfulness humor and hope.--Carolyn Redman Author of News From Lake BoobbegoneA moving entertaining memoir written by someone whos been there and done that.Steve Buechler began telling his story within a week of his diagnosis with an email to his neighbors. Over the ensuing months he composed over sixty such reports for an ever-expanding group of recipients. With the addition of a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity changes this compelling story documents and reflects upon his diagnosis treatment and recovery including a detailed account of the stem cell transplant that saved his life.The narrative blends contemporaneous reports granular detail generalizable lessons existential reflections wry humor shown in the jokes Steve adds and a positive outcome. It demonstrates the value of telling our stories in the face of life-threatening illness and it will appeal to all members of the cancer community as well as a broader reading audience.