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Updated March 26, 2015.

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Surviving the physical part of cancer may seem like the "worst" thing about this disease. If you’ve weathered surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy, what have you got to worry about? Ask any cancer survivor and you’ll likely hear, "Plenty!"

This is where Picking Up the Pieces. Moving Forward After Surviving Cancer by Sherri Magee and Kathy Scalzo comes in.

Picking Up the Pieces is available to ease the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor.

This book touches on a nice range of topics including connecting with friends and how to develop a healing plan after cancer.

Pros of Picking Up the Pieces

After cancer, you may feel as if your family and friends don’t understand you anymore. You may feel that the confusion around facing a life-threatening illness will never lift. This can be very overwhelming.

The book offers quotes and stories from cancer survivors. Many people find that hearing about others who are struggling with and overcoming similar challenges can be inspiring. It can provide the motivation to really "take the bull by the horns" and deal with the aftermath of cancer.

In addition to quotes and stories from cancer survivors, this book will give you practical help on coping post-treatment. You’ll find "self-scan" exercises and worksheets to get in touch with how you're doing emotionally. You can read about how to tap into both external and internal (within yourself) resources for finding your new "center of balance" after cancer.

Many readers find it helpful to go through this book from beginning to end. Others may want to pick and chose which chapters and sections are most helpful. You can skip the parts that aren't as relevant to your own personal situation. The important thing is to use this resource in whatever way suits you best.

The authors of this book are Sherri Magee, PhD, who has dedicated her professional career to understanding the short- and long-term effects of cancer, and Kathy Scalzo, an expert in planning for change and transition. Sherri Magee has personal experience with cancer because five of her family members have been affected by the disease.

Cons of Picking Up the Pieces

This book is well-written and well-organized, but it may not be right for everyone. If you don't find comfort or inspiration reading about others who have coped with cancer, the survivor stories and quotes may be difficult to get through. Some cancer survivors feel that reading about others' experiences is almost like a medical "flashback". They feel it can worsen a sense of "post-traumatic stress" after cancer.

For some people, another potential drawback of Picking up the Pieces is the "how to" approach in some chapters. There are exercises and worksheets to complete, which may feel like homework, or just one more thing you "have to do."

Some people may find the book too "touchy-feely." The book provides guidance on finding your new "center of balance" after cancer. This may be a perfect fit for some, but if you're not ready to talk about or think about emotional stress, you may not enjoy this book.