You Have Cancer:

A Death Sentence That Four African-American Men Turned into an Affirmation to Remain in the "Land of the Living"

Book Review by Kam Williams

Everyone who writes a book thinks that it is different. Perhaps we should just say, then, that this one is special. It is the narrative of four Black men, best friends from childhood. The focus is fighting cancer and surviving it… and the brotherhood of four men whose bond is strengthened because cancer forces them to confront the meaning of life, of living, and of sharing with others. A narrative of such an unusual bond has its own intensity…

When each was diagnosed with cancer, he was unaware that his best childhood friends were also diagnosed with the dreaded disease and that each had heard the same horrifying words, ‘You Have Cancer.' It seemed a strange, cruel coincidence that these men who practically started life together might end it that way as well."

• Excerpted from the Foreword

Childhood pals Ronald Bazile, Ellis Brossett, Preston Edwards and Benjamin Priestley grew up in the same neighborhood in New Orleans, attending the same church and the same schools. The four would grow up and go their separate ways, graduating from different colleges, each marrying, having children and distinguishing himself in his working career.

Eventually, their life paths merged again later in life when they all received the news that they had cancer, and at about the same time. Rather than see the dire diagnosis as a death sentence, this intrepid quartet re-forged their friendship and leaned on each other's shoulders to battle the dreaded disease together.

Furthermore, because they felt that "African-American men do not talk about being sick," they decided share with their brothers not only their touching story but also the best medical, nutritional, recreational and attitudinal advice they've amassed about dealing with the illness. The upshot of their efforts is You Have Cancer, a moving memoir which is simultaneously a very practical how-to guide stocked with valuable information and leads to supplemental resources.

Understandably, because of the devastation visited upon their hometown by Hurricane Katrina, the completion of this project was considerably delayed. As a consequence, one of the authors, Ellis, would unfortunately succumb prior to publication. But that doesn't diminish the value of his positive contributions one iota. We also hear from his and the other's wives, strong yet vulnerable women who weigh-in with an enlightening conversation with words about what it's like to be in the position of the principal caregiver.

This poignant tribute to four lives well-lived is a glorious celebration of camaraderie which ought to inspire you to appreciate your blessings, cherish your friends and family, and to live your own life to the fullest.

You Have Cancer:
A Death Sentence That Four African-American Men Turned into an Affirmation to Remain in the "Land of the Living"
By Ronald P. Bazile, Sr., Ellis M. Brossett, Sr., Preston J. Edwards, Sr. and Benjamin M. Priestley with Don Spears
Atlas Books
Paperback, $12.00
178 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9639245-2-0