If you're being sent into a war zone, one of the most important people you'll want to meet is somebody just back from all the shock and awe. You're not looking for a member of the news media, or a general. You want a soldier, a grunt - somebody just like you - who will give you the "real word."

When his wife, Karen, was diagnosed with lymphoma in January 2000, it surprised Dave Visel, who wasn't even aware that the disease was serious at first. Fortunately a friend, L.J., was there to provide an emergency education. L.J. had recently lost his wife to cancer. His advice and perspective completely changed the way Dave and Karen fought her attacker.

Other cancer survivors and patients helped. Doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, health insurance experts, human resource and employee assistance professionals, attorneys, representatives of the world's great faiths, and many, many more, provided valuable data and perspectives.

The result is that Karen's lymphoma has been denied what might have been an easy victory.

In May 2002, Dave surveyed the pile of files that his lady's illness had caused them to create and decided that it was time to put together a battlefield report for new-coming cancer patients and their families. It was time to pay forward the education, tips, and tactics that had been so important.

As each chapter was finished, Karen reviewed and commented, so that the lessons learned by both patient and spouse were fully and fairly reflected. Living with Cancer is the result.