From Caregiver to Patient: The Heart Behind “Held” by Dr. Tiffany D. Thompson

Imagine spending years caring for cancer patients, understanding the medical protocols, offering comfort to families, and guiding people through their darkest hours. Now imagine finding yourself on the other side of that hospital bed, hearing the words “you have breast cancer” directed at you.

That’s exactly what happened to Dr. Tiffany D. Thompson.

When the Nurse Becomes the Patient

Dr. Thompson isn’t just any healthcare professional. She’s an oncology-trained nurse leader who’s dedicated her career to helping cancer patients navigate their journeys. She knew the medical language. She understood treatment protocols. She’d witnessed countless battles against cancer.

But nothing truly prepares you for your own diagnosis.

When breast cancer came knocking at her door, Dr. Thompson found herself in unfamiliar territory. Suddenly, she wasn’t the one offering reassurance or explaining treatment options. She was the one wearing the hospital gown, feeling the fear, and facing an uncertain future.

And she decided to write about it.

“Held: Faith, Medicine, and a Life Rewritten by Cancer”

Dr. Thompson’s book, “Held: Faith, Medicine, and a Life Rewritten by Cancer,” is unlike any cancer memoir you’ve read before. It’s raw. It’s honest. And it’s incredibly powerful.

What makes this book so special? It’s written from a perspective that few can offer. Dr. Thompson brings her medical expertise to the table, yes, but she also brings something more. She brings the vulnerability of a patient, the questions of someone newly diagnosed, and the faith of someone who had to trust in something bigger than medicine alone.

This isn’t a book that sugarcoats the cancer experience. It doesn’t promise easy answers or miracle cures. Instead, it offers something more valuable: truth, hope, and practical guidance from someone who’s walked both sides of the cancer journey.

A Book That Wears Three Hats

Here’s what we love about “Held” – it serves three distinct purposes, making it valuable for different readers:

For Patients: If you’re battling cancer right now, this book speaks directly to your experience. Dr. Thompson shares the fears you’re feeling, the questions you’re asking, and the moments of doubt that creep in at 3 AM. She gets it because she’s lived it.

For Caregivers: Whether you’re caring for a family member, friend, or patient, this book offers insight into what your loved one is truly experiencing. It bridges the gap between wanting to help and knowing how to help.

For Clinicians: Dr. Thompson issues a gentle but important call to action for healthcare professionals. She reminds us that behind every chart, every diagnosis, and every treatment plan is a whole person with fears, hopes, and a life beyond cancer.

Where Faith Meets Medicine

One of the most beautiful aspects of “Held” is how Dr. Thompson weaves together her spiritual journey with her medical knowledge. She doesn’t compartmentalize these parts of her experience – and she doesn’t ask readers to choose between faith and science.

Instead, she shows how both can coexist. How prayer and chemotherapy aren’t opposing forces but complementary sources of strength. How medical expertise and spiritual faith can work together to carry someone through cancer’s darkest valleys.

This integration feels especially important in today’s world, where we sometimes feel pressured to pick sides. Dr. Thompson’s story reminds us that we can embrace all the tools available to us – medical, emotional, and spiritual.

Why We’re Sharing This Story

At I Will Survive, Inc., we’re constantly looking for resources that truly serve our community. We want to share stories that inspire, books that educate, and voices that understand the real cancer experience.

Dr. Thompson’s book checks all those boxes.

We believe in the power of stories. When you’re going through breast cancer, sometimes the most helpful thing isn’t another medical pamphlet or statistics chart. Sometimes what you need is to hear from someone who’s been there, who understands the unique challenges of balancing medical decisions with daily life, who knows what it’s like to feel both strong and terrified at the same time.

Who Should Read This Book

If you’re wondering whether “Held” is right for you or someone you love, here’s who we think will benefit most:

• Anyone currently battling breast cancer who needs to know they’re not alone in their fears, questions, and struggles
• Survivors who want to process their experience or find language for what they went through
• Family members and friends supporting someone with cancer who want deeper insight into their loved one’s journey
• Nurses and healthcare professionals who want to better understand the patient perspective and provide more compassionate care
• Anyone walking a faith journey through difficult circumstances who wants to see how others have integrated belief and hardship

The beauty of Dr. Thompson’s writing is that it doesn’t alienate anyone. You don’t need to be a nurse to understand it. You don’t need to share her specific faith tradition to find value in her spiritual insights. You just need to be human, and open to an honest story.

What Makes “Held” Different

There are lots of cancer memoirs out there. So what makes this one stand out?

First, there’s Dr. Thompson’s unique dual perspective. She can explain what’s happening medically while also describing what it feels like emotionally. She can appreciate the clinical side while validating the very non-clinical fear and uncertainty.

Second, the book doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. It’s “unflinchingly honest,” as it’s been described. Dr. Thompson doesn’t present a sanitized version of cancer where everything works out perfectly. She shows the real journey, with all its ups and downs.

Third, it’s practical. This isn’t just a story – it’s a guide. Dr. Thompson offers real advice, real strategies, and real insights that readers can actually use in their own journeys.

Supporting Stories Like These

When we come across resources like “Held,” we feel a responsibility to share them with our community. Books like these don’t just inform – they transform. They help people feel less alone. They give caregivers better tools. They remind healthcare professionals of the humanity behind every patient.

That’s what we’re about at I Will Survive, Inc. We’re not just about awareness. We’re about real support, practical help, and genuine connection for everyone touched by breast cancer.

Get Your Copy Today

Dr. Tiffany D. Thompson’s “Held: Faith, Medicine, and a Life Rewritten by Cancer” is available now on Amazon. Whether you’re buying it for yourself, gifting it to someone going through treatment, or adding it to your professional library, we think it’s an investment worth making.

Purchase “Held” on Amazon

Sometimes the most powerful medicine isn’t found in a pill bottle or an infusion bag. Sometimes it’s found in the pages of a book written by someone brave enough to share their story. Dr. Thompson has given us a gift with “Held” – a reminder that we can be both vulnerable and strong, both scared and hopeful, both patients and survivors.

And most importantly, that we’re never truly alone on this journey.

Want to stay connected with stories, resources, and support for the breast cancer community? Visit us at I Will Survive, Inc. and join our community of survivors, caregivers, and supporters making a real difference.