JOY IS A PLUM COLORED ACROBAT: 45 Life-Affirming Visualizations for Breast Cancer Treatment and Aftercare

In her introduction, freelance literary agent and book designer Burton explains that studies, which she never actually cites, have proven visualizations can positively impact a person's health. She claims that letting her imagination run wild while in a deep state of relaxation made her own bout with breast cancer brief, easy and, oddly enough, "a joy." In this gift book for women who've been diagnosed with breast cancer, she advises readers to engage in any one of 45 different visualization exercises either before, during or after their treatments. Many of the scenarios involve motifs of umbrellas that shield healthy cells from a chemical rain while the cancer cells are killed; circus acrobats that push diseased cells out of the body as they jump and tumble; and honey that coats healthy breast tissue. Contemporary, eye-catching illustrations accompany each visualization to help provoke the reader's imagination. Some of Burton's suggestions, such as envisioning a space ship flying through breast ducts, may be unappealing for women in a sterile and cold hospital environment. But others, such as imagining oneself atop a 12,000-foot mountain, with green and rust lichen on the rocks beneath one's feet, will provide women with a supportive structure for coping with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 40 color illus. (On sale Sept. 14)