My Journey With Farrah
by Alana Stewart is a moving, personal account of Farrah Fawcett's struggle with cancer.Alana Stewart and Farrah Fawcett were best friends, and when Farrah was diagnosed with anal cancer, Alana was there with her every step of the way to record the most intimate moments of pain and suffering. This book is Alana's personal journal of the most trying time in Farrah's shortened life.
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This was a touching account of what is the most difficult time in someone's life. Because it was the life of the famous and beautiful Farrah Fawcett, I almost felt like I was imposing on such private moments of her illness, in a voyeuristic way.
Alana was there with Farrah, through the good times and the very, very bad. She accompanied her on numerous trips to Germany for alternative treatments that are not available here in the United States. Each trip is documented in her journal which subsequently became the book. She also recorded many doctor visits and treatments which subsequently became a documentary that aired on NBC.
I found the parts with Farrah heartbreaking and painful. I have lost too many people to the horrible clutches of cancer, and knowing the pain they go through at every second of every day is almost too much to bear. Fan of Farrah or not, you cannot help but be moved by these entries.
What I did not like about the book was when it focused on Alana herself. I understand that when all is said and done, this is her journal afterall. But I felt she was kind of whining at times. Don't get me wrong... I'm sure that the time she spent with her friend was stressful and painful. I just had a hard time feeling sympathetic towards her when she complained about her relationship with an Italian chef. Or when she was upset because the show Celebrity Rehab that her son Sean was on wouldn't pay for a plane ticket for her to come home to see him "graduate".
Overall, the book was a beautiful account of Alana's time with Farrah while she fought for her life. It was sad. It was heart-rending. It was raw. And it was real. There is no sugar-coating what cancer is like. It does not discriminate. It affects rich people, poor people, famous celebrities, average joes, old and young. To read about such a public figure's fight with it will leave you in tears.
Definitely worth reading.
