Still Here!

About the Book

Still Here! Taking Charge of Your Health Care delivers the reader from the fear and anxiety associated with cancer and our complex medical system. Drawing on her own extraordinary 10 year battle with breast cancer, the author illustrates both why and how patients can become more actively involved in managing their own healthcare. Expect diverse and practical guidance ranging from choosing the best doctor to doing your own medical research and creating a true partnership with your doctor. Also covered are related topics such as insurance concerns, how the medical environment affects patient care, emerging cancer therapies, and what friends and family can do to help. The book is an inspiring story of survival and a valuable tool for anyone facing cancer or serious illness.

Quotes from readers of this book:
“As a long-term breast cancer survivor, reading this book has opened a window to healing. I applaud the candor and wealth of practical advice. This book is a gift to anyone with cancer and to those who care for us: our family, friends, physicians, nurses and technicians need to read what is written here. This has been such a lonely journey; now I am no longer so alone.”
–Barbara Lazarus, former Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Carnegie Mellon

“Hearing the word “cancer” causes the world to forever change, the lights dim, color evaporates, sounds cease. Reading this book helped us to get past unknowns, to organize—it was as though we suddenly found footsteps to follow while standing in a blizzard of snow.”
–Jody Sartori (lung cancer patient) and Mark Stahl

“Joan Schreiner provides a unique and powerful guide to the patient diagnosed with cancer. She allows the patient the dignity and wherewithal to work alongside the physician to control the disease and its course. This book “tops the list” of what to turn to first when diagnosed with cancer.”
–Dr. Lucy Shapiro, Director, Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Stanford University

“My diagnosis left me stripped and without hope. Still Here! was my lifeline. It gave me the strength to get out of bed, take back control of my health, get a new doctor, and focus on wellness. Thank you for sharing your courage.”
–Millie Chambers (lung cancer patient).

About the Author

Joan Schreiner has successfully battled breast cancer for over a decade. During this period she has become active in numerous breast cancer groups, been a speaker at medical conferences, a participant in a clinical trial, an author of articles for local breast cancer newsletters, and featured on both radio and in a television documentary about surviving breast cancer. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley, Joan holds a B.S. in Nutrition Science and worked briefly as a chemist at Stanford University before returning to her alma mater to earn an MBA in finance. During a subsequent 20 year career, she held various management positions in corporate finance, working for well-known Silicon Valley companies including Intel, Convergent Technologies, and Silicon Graphics. During the last 5 years of her career, she focused on working with emerging growth companies; her last position was VP Finance/CFO for Shutterfly, an online photofinisher. Joan lives in Los Gatos with her husband, David Nagel and their golden retriever, Webster. Joan can be reached with questions and/or comments at: joanschreiner@att.net