Shrinkage

Book 82 of my 2014 Reading Challenge

Shrinkage: Manhood, Marriage, and the Tumor that Tried to Kill Me by Bryan Bishop

Summary (via Goodreads)

At thirty years old Bryan Bishop’s life was right on track: as the sidekick on The Adam Carolla Show, his career was taking off and, newly engaged, his personal life was soaring to new heights. Then he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
Suddenly Bryan’s promising future was looking at a troubling schedule of radiation and chemotherapy. But having found refuge in comedy, “Bald Bryan” recounts his alternately heartbreaking and hysterical experience of cancer treatment and recovery, from writing his will with the bravado of a pulp novelist, to taking chemo in a strip club, to achieving his life-long dream of getting another woman in the shower with him and his wife (even if it was only for physical therapy). These and other charmingly twisted scenes make the serious truly a laughing matter. Now four years since his initial diagnosis, Bryan celebrates how his aggressive treatment shrunk his tumor and gave him a new lease on life.
Through odds and obstacles, blunders and dilemmas, Bryan radiates through Shrinkage with wonder and humor. This profound, honest, and surprisingly funny recovery book is a Cancer Schmancer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! crowd.

My Opinion

This book was entertaining and engaging. It was slightly "jokey" but not nearly as much as it could've been coming from a comedian. I love the phrase "he was born on third base and he thinks he hit a triple" to describe someone who falls into success. 

The tumor tips were a helpful addition and two in particular stood out to me. When possible, put medical expenses on one credit card with rewards; you'll have everything in one place to make them easier to find and itemize, and potentially the bonus of earning something fun since the bills and expenses will add up quickly. The other was to try and stay positive - you never know who is watching who or the effect you can have on people by smiling.

I'm interested in looking at his wife's blog, An Inconvenient Tumor, for more information on his journey.

A Few Quotes from the Book

"Our Honeymoon or, The Time My Wife Drugged Me at a Kids Pool in Maui" ~ chapter title

"I looked back at my list of regrets in my life and noticed a common thread: They were almost all things I had not done."