Paint Your Hair Blue

A Celebration of Life with Hope for Tomorrow in the Face of Pediatric Cancer

By: Sue Matthews, Andrea Cohane

Narrated by: Jennifer March

Most of us will be touched by cancer in some way during our lifetimes. Paint Your Hair Blue will empower you, no matter what your circumstance, to take control of your own destiny. Sue Matthews and her sister, Andrea Cohane, take you through the heartwarming tale of heroic courage and the power of love and determination that characterized Sue's daughter Taylor's odyssey through the underfunded world of pediatric cancer.

The listener will discover how Taylor and her family learned to balance the necessity of her continuous medical treatments with the need for her to be a kid and live as normally as possible. You will gather dozens of tips and pointers, gleaned by trial and error, about navigating the maze of pediatric oncology through the lens of a layperson and better understand how to face fears with strength, fortitude, and confidence while living life to the fullest. Sue and her sister, Andrea, will make you a better warrior in the war on cancer with this story of survival, where love transcends all and where every moment is a celebration of life.

©2018 Sue Matthews (P)2020 Sue Matthews

An Emotional Ride

The author gives a very emotional point of view of from a mother's heart of having a child with cancer . The story pulls the listener in and stirs the heart as this mother expresses the hill tops of hope to the valleys of despair on this difficult journey. Well written. However, it seems as though this is a family that is financially able to give their child the best of everything and fulfill her dreams and wishes at every turn. So I can see how this might be discouraging to less financially secure families who cannot build tree houses that are like a guest cottage with all the amenities; or make trips to Europe for vacations or treatments; throw large parties on a moments notice; buy cars for 16th birthdays; have friends with private planes to transport the family. Please do not misunderstand me. I think it is wonderful that the Matthews family could do all of this for Taylor. I just hope other families less fortunate understand that what their sick child needs more than anything is unconditional love from each of them. I also got the impression that Taylor was rather demanding at times and a little spoiled. I can understand this, but I wasn't in total agreement that she should be able to demand and receive things just because she was ill. If you listen to or read this book, be ready for many emotions to take you on a wild ride. You will learn much about the medical world and the disease called cancer. I also want to commend Taylor's dad, Bob Matthews, and Sue's sister, Andrea and her husband, Bill, all who were committed to Sue and Taylor throughout the ordeal. And having said all that, readers should know it is a good book and I enjoyed it.

The narrator was wonderful. She really caught the emotions of Sue and her family in her rendition of the book. It made me feel heartbreak moments and the joyful events. Great job!

I requested this audio book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.