About the Book
Man plans, God laughs is an old Yiddish proverb. Despite the best of plans, life does not always turn out as expected. We cannot control our fate.
In 1971, Ed and Micki Cantor were married. Ed was a successful attorney in Connecticut. Micki carved out a successful career as a cable television advertising executive, retired in 1997, and attended graduate school at Yale to obtain a graduate degree in Archaeology.
In 2003, their peaceful retirement life was shattered. Micki was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer. During the next eight years, Micki faced four surgical procedures, chemotherapy, several hospitalizations, a lengthy period of remission, and an uncontrollable recurrence and decline, before she died in 2011. Ed became the primary caregiver and frustrated bystander. For eight years, Micki and Ed were caught up in the medical system and consumed by the cancer-its diagnosis, its treatment, its uncertainty, its pain, unpredictability and heartbreak.
Finally, Micki and Ed had to face the essential question: where does the struggle to prolong life end and a concern for the quality and dignity of remaining life prevail?
This is a story for all families and partners. It is a story of life and death. It is a story of a human journey.
About the Author :
Edward H Cantor: Ed Cantor graduated from Yale with a BA and Columbia Law School with a JD, and practiced law successfully in Connecticut for many years. He is now retired and is active in philanthropy. This is his first book.
Review :
"Ed has written a stunning book about what he as the spouse of a cancer victim saw and endured as Micki fought and died...It is a book that everyone who thinks they might ever be a victim of cancer, or have a spouse, significant other, child, parent or close friend afflicted by cancer, should read, if they think they can stand it." --Dan Simpson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Remember Me is a beautifully written memoir, evoking both bittersweet memories for those who have lost a beloved, along with useful reflections on ways to make the extremely challenge of caring for a dying spouse-a difficult labor of love-a little easier to cope with. I will happily recommend it to thousands of grieving widows and widowers I work with in my bereavement workshops and support groups." -Ellen Sue Stern, author of Living with Loss and I Will Not Forget You: Daily Meditations for Grieving Widows and Widowers. "This book makes a very powerful statement. It must be published and read." -- Sherwin Nuland, winner of the National Book Award for How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter "Remember Me is of immense value to family caregivers supporting loved ones during their journeys with cancer. A quick and engaging read, Cantor chronicles the ups, downs, highs, and lows that nearly all cancer patients go through. With remarkable generosity of spirit he shows that we are not alone in how we experience cancer." --Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., M.D., Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale--New Haven "Ed's book is for everyone who suffers, especially from cancer, and for those who love them. That means lots of us. It is the earthy chronicle of survival and triumph. Those who open themselves to Ed's shared recollection will grow in their will to survive even life's worst lottery tickets. We all need his example of survival and triumph, over even walking 'through the valley of the shadow of death.'" --Rabbi Mark Winer, former president of the National Council of Synagogues "This is an exquisite, agonizing work. There were sections I had to read and re-read because I could not see through the tears. Your bravery, devotion, gallant and true love informs each word of this book. It is an invaluable and generous gift to any and all of us who have faced or are facing the inevitable absence of a loved one." --Peter Webster, writer, producer, film director "Thank you, Ed, for letting me share this journey. I am fortunate to have, in a very small way, shared with two friends a battle and how they bravely fought it. This is a well-written, engaging, and emotionally compelling book." --Henry "Sam" Chauncey, Jr., former president of Gaylord Hospital and former secretary of Yale University "I found the book absolutely captivating. Author Ed Cantor conveys the emotional and psychological dimensions of life's most perplexing and un-understandable questions in a way that is very clear, and very compelling, but does not get in the way of the narrative. I am blown away by this book."-- Alan Blanchard, President Emeritus, Episcopal Church Pension Fund "Beautiful, excellently written, poignant, factual, candid, emotional, and helpful to all of those going through life's challenges. Great contribution to our society." --Jamie McLane, former CEO of Aetna Health Plans and former Chairman of Outward Bound USA
