Books
Book Endorsements
This well-written masterpiece explores the intricacies of the journey through cancer care and provides exceptional information to help each patient.
“In this book, Courtney Desy explores the fundamentals of the human experience of undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. This well-written masterpiece explores the intricacies of the journey through cancer care and provides exceptional information to help each patient, one-by-one, so that they can navigate the journey in the best way possible. This book provides high-value, essential tools dedicated to addressing each unique experience.”
Shyam A. Patel, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology/Oncology
UMass Chan Medical School
UMASS, Worcester, MA
Stronger Than Chemo is a resource I would hope every patient and family member would have when faced with cancer.
“Stronger Than Chemo is a resource I would hope every patient and family member would have when faced with cancer. It is an amazing book that covers the whole person – from essential information about treatment, management of physical problems, but also caring for the whole person . The book presents information in a way that is so easy to understand , is so supportive , and is written by a true expert – a nurse who has stood beside many patients and families on this journey. As an oncology and palliative care nurse for 49 years I can’t wait to share it!”
Betty Ferrell PhD, FAAN, FPCN, CHPN
Professor
City of Hope Medical Center
Betty Ferrell is Director and Professor in the Division of Nursing Research and Education at City of Hope’s Department of Population Sciences.
A nurse for more than four decades, she is an internationally recognized pioneer in cancer pain management, quality of life, and palliative and end-of-life care, and she has led landmark initiatives such as the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC).
Dr. Ferrell has authored hundreds of publications and is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in advancing palliative care worldwide.
City of Hope, California
Consider this book a priority read as you or a loved one ventures down the path of the cancer experience.
“A diagnosis of cancer is likely the scariest thing anyone hears today. With one in three people being diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer at some point in their lifetime, tells us that most people will benefit from reading this book. Whether you are the patient or a family member has been diagnosed, life can go into a tailspin. This is a how to guide to prepare you for treatment physically and emotionally, as well as remove a lot of the “what if” questions that naturally come into your mind. The more you can do to prepare for treatment and be proactive in addressing potential side effects, the smoother the treatment experience can be. Consider this book a priority read as you or a loved one ventures down the path of the cancer experience.”
Lillie D. (“Lily”) Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer
Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Co-Developer, Naviance- Managing Cancer at Work
Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions
Co-Founder, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+)
Co-Founder, Association of Chronic & Complex Care Nurse Navigators (ACCCNN)
Lillie D. Shockney: Breakthrough Women in Science and Medicine
Lifetime Achievements
Communication Skills Training by Lillie Shockney
Lillie D. Shockney is the University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer and Professor of Surgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she is an internationally known expert in breast cancer, patient navigation, cancer survivorship, patient-centered care, and quality-of-life preservation, with extensive work focused on metastatic breast cancer. She has authored dozens of books and hundreds of articles and is a co-founder and key leader in oncology navigation initiatives such as the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.
Baltimore, Maryland
A comprehensive guide to navigating all phases of cancer treatment and beyond.
Drawing from her rich professional and personal experiences, in Stronger than Chemo, oncology infusion nurse and cancer survivor Courtney Desy, BSN, RN, OCN provides patients and family caregivers with a comprehensive guide to navigating all phases of cancer treatment and beyond. Through patient stories, practical advice, and writing prompts, patients and caregivers are compassionately guided through the ups and downs of oncology care and will emerge more prepared to navigate whatever the future may bring. I’m looking forward to recommending Stronger than Chemo to many of the caregivers in our practice!
Allison J. Applebaum, Ph.D., FAPOS
Professor
Director, Steven S. Elbaum Family Center for Caregiving
Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
Allison J. Applebaum is a clinical psychologist, caregiving scientist, writer, and advocate whose work focuses on the urgent psychosocial needs of family caregivers of patients with serious illness. She is a Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and Director of the Steven S. Elbaum Family Center for Caregiving at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Applebaum is widely recognized for developing innovative caregiver-support interventions and for her public scholarship, including her book Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving.
Mount Sinai, New York
Clear, trustworthy, and deeply supportive.
“Stronger Than Chemo is a compassionate and comprehensive guide that empowers patients and caregivers to navigate chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and the many practical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment. Clear, trustworthy, and deeply supportive, this book helps individuals make informed decisions and face their journey with confidence and strength.”
Dr C S Pramesh, MS, FRCS
Director, Tata Memorial Hospital
Professor, Thoracic Surgery (Surgical Oncology) Tata Memorial Centre (a grant-in-aid institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India)
Director of Tata Memorial Hospital and Professor and Head of Thoracic Surgery at Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, India. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and is the convener of the National Cancer Grid, a network of hundreds of cancer centers across India working to standardize high-quality, equitable cancer care.
Mumbai, India
This book helps patients feel seen, understood, and better prepared for every stage of care.
“Stronger Than Chemo empowers patients to understand their care and actively participate in it. With clarity and compassion, Courtney guides readers through diagnosis, treatment decisions, and daily challenges in a way that reduces fear and builds confidence in language that is easy to understand. This book helps patients feel seen, understood, and better prepared for every stage of care.”
Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology
Professor, Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology-Oncology, UMass Chan Medical School
UMASS, Worcester, MA
Empower patients and families to guide their own care with more confidence and peace of mind.
“Courtney Desy brings her real-life experiences and knowledge to help people live well as they navigate a diagnosis of cancer and its treatment. Her practical tips and clear-eyed explanations will empower patients and families to guide their own care with more confidence and peace of mind.”
Jennifer Reidy, MD, MS, FAAHPM
Chief, Division of Palliative Care, UMass Memorial Health
Professor, UMass Chan Medical School
Director, Junior Faculty Development Program
UMASS, Worcester, MA
Book Endorsements
This well-written masterpiece explores the intricacies of the journey through cancer care and provides exceptional information to help each patient.
“In this book, Courtney Desy explores the fundamentals of the human experience of undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. This well-written masterpiece explores the intricacies of the journey through cancer care and provides exceptional information to help each patient, one-by-one, so that they can navigate the journey in the best way possible. This book provides high-value, essential tools dedicated to addressing each unique experience.”
Shyam A. Patel, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Hematology/Oncology
UMass Chan Medical School
UMASS, Worcester, MA
Stronger Than Chemo is a resource I would hope every patient and family member would have when faced with cancer.
“Stronger Than Chemo is a resource I would hope every patient and family member would have when faced with cancer. It is an amazing book that covers the whole person – from essential information about treatment, management of physical problems, but also caring for the whole person . The book presents information in a way that is so easy to understand , is so supportive , and is written by a true expert – a nurse who has stood beside many patients and families on this journey. As an oncology and palliative care nurse for 49 years I can’t wait to share it!”
Betty Ferrell PhD, FAAN, FPCN, CHPN
Professor
City of Hope Medical Center
Betty Ferrell is Director and Professor in the Division of Nursing Research and Education at City of Hope’s Department of Population Sciences.
A nurse for more than four decades, she is an internationally recognized pioneer in cancer pain management, quality of life, and palliative and end-of-life care, and she has led landmark initiatives such as the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC).
Dr. Ferrell has authored hundreds of publications and is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in advancing palliative care worldwide.
City of Hope, California
Consider this book a priority read as you or a loved one ventures down the path of the cancer experience.
“A diagnosis of cancer is likely the scariest thing anyone hears today. With one in three people being diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer at some point in their lifetime, tells us that most people will benefit from reading this book. Whether you are the patient or a family member has been diagnosed, life can go into a tailspin. This is a how to guide to prepare you for treatment physically and emotionally, as well as remove a lot of the “what if” questions that naturally come into your mind. The more you can do to prepare for treatment and be proactive in addressing potential side effects, the smoother the treatment experience can be. Consider this book a priority read as you or a loved one ventures down the path of the cancer experience.”
Lillie D. (“Lily”) Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer
Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Co-Developer, Naviance- Managing Cancer at Work
Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions
Co-Founder, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+)
Co-Founder, Association of Chronic & Complex Care Nurse Navigators (ACCCNN)
Lillie D. Shockney: Breakthrough Women in Science and Medicine
Lifetime Achievements
Communication Skills Training by Lillie Shockney
Lillie D. Shockney is the University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer and Professor of Surgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. A two-time breast cancer survivor, she is an internationally known expert in breast cancer, patient navigation, cancer survivorship, patient-centered care, and quality-of-life preservation, with extensive work focused on metastatic breast cancer. She has authored dozens of books and hundreds of articles and is a co-founder and key leader in oncology navigation initiatives such as the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.
Baltimore, Maryland
A comprehensive guide to navigating all phases of cancer treatment and beyond.
Drawing from her rich professional and personal experiences, in Stronger than Chemo, oncology infusion nurse and cancer survivor Courtney Desy, BSN, RN, OCN provides patients and family caregivers with a comprehensive guide to navigating all phases of cancer treatment and beyond. Through patient stories, practical advice, and writing prompts, patients and caregivers are compassionately guided through the ups and downs of oncology care and will emerge more prepared to navigate whatever the future may bring. I’m looking forward to recommending Stronger than Chemo to many of the caregivers in our practice!
Allison J. Applebaum, Ph.D., FAPOS
Professor
Director, Steven S. Elbaum Family Center for Caregiving
Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
Allison J. Applebaum is a clinical psychologist, caregiving scientist, writer, and advocate whose work focuses on the urgent psychosocial needs of family caregivers of patients with serious illness. She is a Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and Director of the Steven S. Elbaum Family Center for Caregiving at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Applebaum is widely recognized for developing innovative caregiver-support interventions and for her public scholarship, including her book Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving.
Mount Sinai, New York
Clear, trustworthy, and deeply supportive.
“Stronger Than Chemo is a compassionate and comprehensive guide that empowers patients and caregivers to navigate chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and the many practical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment. Clear, trustworthy, and deeply supportive, this book helps individuals make informed decisions and face their journey with confidence and strength.”
Dr C S Pramesh, MS, FRCS
Director, Tata Memorial Hospital
Professor, Thoracic Surgery (Surgical Oncology) Tata Memorial Centre (a grant-in-aid institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India)
Director of Tata Memorial Hospital and Professor and Head of Thoracic Surgery at Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, India. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and is the convener of the National Cancer Grid, a network of hundreds of cancer centers across India working to standardize high-quality, equitable cancer care.
Mumbai, India
This book helps patients feel seen, understood, and better prepared for every stage of care.
“Stronger Than Chemo empowers patients to understand their care and actively participate in it. With clarity and compassion, Courtney guides readers through diagnosis, treatment decisions, and daily challenges in a way that reduces fear and builds confidence in language that is easy to understand. This book helps patients feel seen, understood, and better prepared for every stage of care.”
Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology
Professor, Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology-Oncology, UMass Chan Medical School
UMASS, Worcester, MA
Empower patients and families to guide their own care with more confidence and peace of mind.
“Courtney Desy brings her real-life experiences and knowledge to help people live well as they navigate a diagnosis of cancer and its treatment. Her practical tips and clear-eyed explanations will empower patients and families to guide their own care with more confidence and peace of mind.”
Jennifer Reidy, MD, MS, FAAHPM
Chief, Division of Palliative Care, UMass Memorial Health
Professor, UMass Chan Medical School
Director, Junior Faculty Development Program
UMASS, Worcester, MA
Newsletter
From My Desk to Your Inbox
I share patient tools, articles, and updates on my work—along with early access to new resources from the Stronger Than Chemo™ Foundation.
