Letters From the Land of Cancer

Letters From the Land of Cancer
by Walter Wangerin, Jr
2010 Zondervan  
Grand Rapids, Mi.

On December 26, 2005 Professor and Pastor Wangerin of Valparaiso University, husband and father of four, was diagnosed with cancer.  This book is a collection of letters he wrote to family and friends over about a two year period.  Through these letters the reader journeys with him through hope, fear, suffering, love, faith and infirmity.  

A caregiver for one with cancer might get insight into some un-expressed thoughts that their loved one might be thinking.  He eloquently reflects on end of life issues and what it means to live and die well.  The reader joins Walter Wangerin through the many procedures and many doctors that take a toll on his body and the resultant mood swings.  His Biblical understanding of being called and named by Christ gives meaning to his life here and in the hereafter.  This is a book about facing mortality.  Letter #19 is more of a Bible study put in letter form to one of his students and a worthwhile read.

Professor Wangerin is my age.  We are both adoptive parents.  He wrote a book with Matthew, one of his adopted sons, called, “Father & Son, Finding Freedom.”  This second book (of many he has written) was published the year following the letters written from the land of cancer.  Cancer is difficult.  But I  picture healing and blessings coming in the midst of difficult times.

We have never met, but we share a common savior.  I am happy to report that he is scheduled to preach at the Valpo chapel this Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013.

I highly recommend all his books, this one especially for one caring for a loved one with  cancer.