"When I finished the book, I thought, What a great love story!" Elaine, Tennessee In a word, "amazing." Not only your poetry and insightful analogies in Slapped Awake, but also what you've been through and who you are... I've read your book twice now... I was able to laugh, cry, reflect, and deeply connect to the feelings and imagery you so eloquently expressed, especially in your poems. Slapped Awake is all that I hoped it would be. Much more than an intimate portrait of your life with breast cancer, in which you so graciously share the pains and joys, your book is full of wisdom and simple truths to live by, reminding me to adjust, accept, and focus on the core reality of whom I am and how I live my life. Although your overall message and beliefs are rooted in optimism, your writing never felt sugarcoated or glib, that "everything will work out fine" as I've often heard. It is refreshing to hear instead that things don't happen as expected and it takes a whole lot of personal will, working through the pain, and perseverance (and support) to adjust to new circumstances and a new self. Your story provokes contemplation and inspiration in rising to that challenge over and over again. I know that your book, your words, your example, will continue to be a guidebook and comfort for me as I travel in this "foreign country." Thank you for this gift. Lynne, Massachusetts I took a trip with you today. I could not put your book down. I have laughed and I have cried. I read words that came from my own mouth and a lot more that roamed in my mind. I went down my own memory lane. I read some of the poetry to my husband, what you put into words that I could not. Debbi, I thank you for that. So to make it short, your book is wonderful, your insight deep, and your courage is awesome. Trish, Tennessee Accept my congratulations on Slapped Awake. Rarely have I read a book so well written, so full of pathos and humor. Good books have good endings; this one did. I had finished before I realized that I had come to the end. Cancer patients and those who care for them will find much to learn from this book. David, Cameroon Republic Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your book. Thank you for sharing your journey. It is enlightening, humorous, uplifting...I didn't want to put it down. Bonnie, Tennessee It was harrowing; it was exhausting; it was an honor, a joy, a gift of searing beauty...and it was clearly your voice, in all its metaphoric beauty, outrageous humor and penetrating precision. In a few words, "Ouch!," Ohhhhh," and "Brava." Oh, and two more: Thank you. Helen, Tennessee Slapped Awake is inspiring and riveting -- a powerful, beautifully written book that is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Congratulations on creating so moving a work. Barry, Tennessee Thank you for your wonderfully inspiring book, Slapped Awake! You have given voice to so many feelings I have a"mets" breast cancer sister! Thank you for your Blogs, too! We just had our local Cancer Support Group meeting last night and I've passed your web site onto many! I thank God for the gift of YOU! You have made a mighty difference in this world to multitudes... Kim, Maryland Survivor dealing with metatstatic breast cancer I have just finished your book and I need to say a great big "thank-you" to you for having the stamina and courage to write this wonderful testimony. And that is what it seems to me. I cannot thank you enough for pointing me toward a good look at my own soul through your generosity in sharing your soul with those of us who are fortunate to know and love you and then to be able to share your inmost thoughts. Thank you for a beautiful read Betty, Tennessee An excellent book for personal reading and / or book clubs. Deborah Hampton writes with courage, honesty, and passion about the various stages of her reoccurring cancer over a twelve-year periodEmbracing the life she has now is a running theme of the book, which will help readers to understand those who experience anything similar in an affirmative as well as empathetic way. Anne, Texas Wow - finished your book last nightIt made reading a topic that at times was uncomfortable, flowing and anticipatory. But you have triumphed! What a story to tell. Janet, New Jersey I found your book funny, sad, compelling, insightful and most importantly, personal. Alvin (a physician), California Your book touched me like no other. Drema, breast cancer survivor, West Virginia The book is GREAT. There are so many exquisite passages Chritina, Chicago When I got home your book was waiting in the door. I threw my coat on the couch, sat down in my old glider, and read from cover to cover! Thank you, thank you for writing this wonderful book!! Lynn, breast cancer survivor, Minnesota A waltz of love and death danced to the music of poetry and prose in the ballroom of a single heart. Betty, Tennessee I thought the book was phenomenal.so captivating.especially the poetry. Pamper, Tennessee I finished your book last night. Excellent, excellent work! Your poetry and prose go right to the heart. I was very moved and, I, as many other readers are and will be grateful for your courage, acceptance, strength, humor, joy and persistence. Your willingness to share yourself so completely is a very special gift and, I am convinced, will impact the souls of many who are fortunate enough to read your book. The book has been a very special gift to me. Thanks so much for writing this book! Jim, Georgia I hope you understand what a tribute it is to living and loving. I was astounded by the poetry. It is beautiful. Martha, North Carolina I just finished reading your book, in one session -- could not put it down! It's wonderful. Yvonne, Georgia I finished reading your book. It is beautifully written, emotionally touching, funny, sad, happy... everything that it is to be human. You do a beautiful job of capturing moments, little moments, big moments, and putting them all together to make meaning of them. All in all, I loved it. A lot. Thank you. Aaron, Colorado I got your lovely book yesterday, read it, and I'm still processing it. It's a WONDERFUL book! Janice, Pennsylvania Now Available! Slapped Awake Living with Breast Cancer: A Journey in Poetry and Prose   ...and read Debbi's Post Blog Essays for the continuing story.