Cards for Brianna

March 15, 2016

A research specialist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 35-year-old McManamy was diagnosed in 2014 with terminal cancer, despite having undergone a double mastectomy and numerous rounds of chemotherapy. She parlays her final thoughts into this book, which she hopes will comfort and motivate her soon-to-be-five-year-old daughter, Brianna. Each chapter begins with a card to mark varying occasions (first day of elementary school) and life events (Brianna's wedding). McManamy then reveals her feelings and attitudes as her prescribed time comes to an end. Her intent is not to shock readers, but the filters are off. About chemotherapy: "Seriously, it's a little strategy and a lot of luck." On preparing her daughter: "I searched Google for 'dead mom' to see what ideas would pop up." On meeting her favorite band, Motley Crue: "I said, 'I'm dying of cancer.' I told them what a pleasure it was to meet them while we were both on our farewell tours." McManamy died in 2015, but she left behind an appreciation of life that some never get to experience. VERDICT For all patient health collections.--Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

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