Praise for Antidotes & Home Remedies
So often all of us confuse the glitter with the gold. In our hectic concern with the temporary we lose sight of the eternal and those values of lasting meaning which will truly define our lives. With great clarity and courage Jim Chastain, through his powerful works of poetry, brings us back to the things that really matter.With warmth, wit, and grace, he has given a great gift to all who read this remarkable collection of poems. -- David Boren, President, The University of Oklahoma
Jim’s book captures a bit of the dark humor associated with cancer and mortality. His candid and often poignant poetry enables him to articulate feelings and thoughts that might otherwise remain unexpressed. -- Wilma Mankiller, former Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Chastain's poetry sings and cries and hugs and hurts. -- Carol Cole, The Norman Transcript
The poems are both funny and serious, and all accomplish what any poem should: They make a person think. -- Dennie Hall, The Oklahoman
Praise for I Survived Cancer, but Never Won the Tour de France
One of top ten best nonfiction books of 2006. -- Shawn Badgley, Senior Book Editor, Austin Chronicle
Jim Chastain's personal, funny, poignant, and enlightening memoir offers a unique, entertaining and informative memoir of living with cancer and dealing with all of its seeming contradictions. Completely candid, illustrative stories of the emotional battles that every cancer patient and their loved ones must go through..., I Survived Cancer but Never Won the Tour de France is ultimately encouraging in its story of a young man seeking to hold on to his dreams, his marriage, fatherhood, and personal spirituality throughout the life-altering ordeal that inevitably is a part of any cancer diagnosis. Highly recommended reading - especially for patients and their families who are having to cope with the diagnoses and treatment of cancer. -- Midwest Book Review
I Survived Cancer, But Never Won the Tour De France is marvelous. Jim Chastain's candor, the realistic picture of what he has gone through and the inspiring survival and coping skills he shares are truly worth treasuring. His youth and sense of humor add a special quality to the message and sets it apart from other works on survival. -- Dr. R. Murali Krishna, President of INTEGRIS Mental Health Inc., and the James L. Hall Jr. Center for Mind, Body and Spirit
(Jim's book) gives valuable insight into the whole medical and surgical experience from a patient's perspective...something we as healthcare providers need to understand, as I think it makes us better at what we do, or at least it makes us more compassionate. -- Dr. Marchel Clements, Orthopedic Surgeon
Although they do not like to admit it, all doctors, like parents, have favorites. Jim Chastain is one of my favorite patients. He is the type of patient you look forward to coming in for a visit: grounded, intelligent, talented, and satirically humorous. He has taken each of his obstacles in stride and has struggled and overcome adversity. He shares his outlook and experiences in this book – which I feel is a must read for all dealing and treating cancer. It’s simply brilliant and one of those rare books that may cause you to laugh out loud in spite of yourself. -- Dr. V. Lewis, Orthopedic Oncologist
Jim Chastain provides a stunningly clear view of cancer, its treatment and its personalities from the most important perspective of all, the person living through it. His searing honesty makes I Survived Cancer But Never Won the Tour de France an occasionally uncomfortable, always humbling, and necessary read for all health professionals involved in cancer care. He keeps us riding close with humor and hope and never hesitates to share the intense intimacies, insights and emotions of his journey. -- Patricia M. Clark, MSN, APRN, BC, Psychoeducational Program Coordinator, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
His candor about the (cancer) stigma is what makes the work so engaging... I Survived Cancer reads a little like Chuck Palahniuk's Stranger Than Fiction but blended with the humor of David Sedaris. -- Deborah Benjamin, The Oklahoma Gazette
Searingly funny, poignant, and honest. -- Carol Cole, The Norman Transcript
The emotions (Chastain) felt during the hospital stays—fear , despair, hope, questioning—all are described in prose that is flowing and masterful. But he sometimes found some humor in the most appalling situations, and that comes out in the book, too. -- Dennie Hall, The Oklahoman
A master of sarcasm. -- Carrie Coppernoll, The Oklahoman
Unflinching, bittersweet--and often humorous... Laced with intensely intimate, philosophical, spiritual and personal moments, his easy, conversational writing style enables the reader to share his experiences with him, laughing and crying every unpredictable step of the way. -- Jennifer Chancellor, The Tulsa World
What a great book! Chastain does a great job of making the reader understand just what it must be like to have one's world turned upside down and continue to go about the daily routine of life. -- Bill Gordon, in The Briefcase
Jim Chastain’s beautifully written book will make you feel uncomfortable, but it will also clue you in to what’s important in your own life. Jim brings home what we may pretend happens only to "other people" who get cancer, but he also tames the cancer monster by showing us the threat of cancer up close. Finally, he shows us the foolishness of not putting ourselves in the picture we hitherto reserved for "other people." In this way, Jim’s book is simultaneously sobering and exhilarating. -- Robert Con Davis, Director of World Literature Today magazine
I Survived Cancer, but Never Won the Tour de France is a lighthearted cautionary tale of author Jim Chastain’s journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Chastain’s story sparkles with humor and excellent advice from one who’s been through the fire and emerged victorious on the other side.” -- Steffie Corcoran, Senior Editor, Oklahoma Today magazine
Jim Chastain's new book about his cancer survival is an engaging, informative, funny, enlightening and hopeful book. I read each chapter in anticipation of the next one. -- Clifton Taulbert, pulitzer-nominated author of Eight Habits of the Heart and Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored
The old saying "I'd give my right arm to....." takes on all new meaning to anyone who reads Jim Chastain's riveting tale. The often used term "page turner" was coined for this story of faith and hope, despair and agony, that will keep you reading...and hoping...and praying (even if you are not a believer!) that things will turn out okay for this incredibly truthful young man who was willing to lay his life out on the table for all to examine. -- Molly Levite Griffis, author of The Rachel Resistance, winner of the Oklahoma Book Award
After the whole Lance Armstrong "tour," we need a "what about the little guy" message within the murk of such a hard-hitting subject as cancer. Jim’s book speaks to "where most people are" with this disease much more so than a celebrity’s would—a celebrity with, most likely, a bottomless pit of insurance. It brings a new perspective… and one that is needed. And with poems like "Favorite," he’s really knocking on the door of top-notch journal quality work. -- Nathan Brown, Ph.D., author of Suffer the Little Voices, Oklahoma Book Award finalist
Everyone at HAWK Publishing is excited about this worthwhile project! Jim Chastain’s book is funny, poignant and (most importantly) approaches cancer treatment in a way that will be appreciated by both patients and their family members. -- Jodie Nida, author and Senior Editor, HAWK Publishing Group
Jim has a very easy to read and engaging writing style. I felt "with him" as I turned each page. Having gone through some of these experiences myself, it was a great relief to read that someone experienced this the way I did. Where I felt guilty, Jim made fun and as a result I felt better about myself when I finished reading. -- James E. Martin, Ph.D., Zarrow Endowed Professor, The University of Oklahoma
Jim Chastain is a young husband/father who is mature beyond his years and has much to offer people who have been diagnosed with cancer. -- Lavonn D. Brown, Th.D., Minister
Jim Chastain first lived this book, then wrote it. That’s what gives his "cancer book" the unmistakable ring of authenticity so many others lack. This book has it all: outrageously funny stories, shattering despair, and soaring hope—even thoughts on how to survive well-wishers who come forward with a sure-fire way of fixing you. It is written truthfully and candidly, without mincing words. The book is about a young man and his family being tested in the brutal fires of adversity. I’m close enough to feel the scorching heat of Jim’s experience and have earned the right to tell you both Jim and his book are for real. -- Don M. Hull, Ph. D., University Professor
Except for the Bible, this is undoubtedly the greatest book ever written! -- Jim's mom
