How Steve Became Ralph

“Buechler transforms a devastating cancer diagnosis into a literary quest infused with intelligence, mindfulness, humor, and hope.”

—Carolyn Redman, Author of News From Lake Boobbegone

A moving, entertaining memoir written by someone who’s “been there and done that.”

Steve Buechler began telling his story within a week of his diagnosis with an email to his neighbors. Over the ensuing months, he composed over sixty such reports for an ever-expanding group of recipients. With the addition of a preface on lessons learned and an epilogue on identity changes, this compelling story documents and reflects upon his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, including a detailed account of the stem cell transplant that saved his life.

The narrative blends contemporaneous reports, granular detail, generalizable lessons, existential reflections, wry humor shown in the jokes Steve adds, and a positive outcome. It demonstrates the value of telling our stories in the face of life-threatening illness, and it will appeal to all members of the cancer community as well as a broader reading audience.