Title: Twice in a Lifetime, and Then Some: A Zest for Life
Author: Vee Q
Publisher: Pen Culture Solutions
ISBN: 1638124841
Pages: 158
Genre: Inspirational / Memoir
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel

Read Book Review

Vee Q has faced cancer twice. This left her with a newfound positive outlook in regard to her life, even as she dealt with the reality of fighting cancer. She found hope in getting to do what she loved and daydreaming about travel which gave her the determination to keep moving forward. This book is her story and her experiences told through a lens of travel, humor, and honesty, as she shares her diagnosis, fear, anxiety, and the reality of her own mortality. She explains how she learned to not let her anger and frustration control her, instead she found a way to turn a negative into a positive, using her experience to garner strength and continue to plan the things she enjoyed.

The book revolves around her – twice – cancer journeys with these experiences set against a backdrop of traveling throughout Europe. As a way to cope with her diagnosis, Vee daydreamed about sunny vacations and cocktails on the beach which gave her the courage and determination to keep fighting so she could do those things. She explains quickly how her second bout with cancer led to her pushing to take everything she was considering doing and actually doing them. Black and white photography is included throughout that ties directly into the various chapters with images that coincide with her travels. These lovely photographs tie into the tone of the story and are inspiring, paired with her story, through images such as a stream flowing through the mountain, a view from the plane, and a cruise. The book focuses on her diagnosis but from the viewpoint of a survivor and maintains an uplifting tone throughout. She takes an honest approach in sharing about her emotional state during these times and how she turned her fear and anger into strength to keep fighting, daydreaming, and hoping.

The tone is reflective of her looking back at her first struggle with cancer, when cancer came back, and how these two experiences shaped how she viewed her life. A philosophical outlook is employed throughout the writing style which encompasses how she kept going to the best of her ability, survived these battles, learned to expect the unexpected, and the emotional upheaval which comes when facing a serious illness diagnosis. This is an incredible human journey; one that shows the reality of facing one’s mortality but from a hopeful lens that aims to inspire and comfort. It’s easy to form a bond with her and those that have walked similar paths (or are currently on one) will find strength in her story and encouragement to keep living life to the fullest even in the face of something as soul-crushing as cancer. The book will offer some solace to those that have already struggled with cancer or have loved ones that have it now, by giving them the inspiration to be hopeful.

The structure of the book is divided by her cancer diagnosis, amusing unrelated stories divided by pre- and post-cancer stories, personal chapters, and background of her life such as sharing about when she was married to a soldier. The book features stories which occur before and after her cancer battle that include an early cruising experience, trying to meet Elvis Presley, and a flight being canceled in Nashville. These stories are more examples of her approach to finding positivity in life even through obstacles and are linked to her love of travel. The book ends with personal chapters that read as if she’s placing her heart out for all to see and offers a chance to connect with her. A once-in-a-lifetime type of book, Twice in a Lifetime, and Then Some is about facing life with a cancer diagnosis and finding positivity in the darkest of circumstances.