Book buoying male caregivers ready in 2 formats

'Rollercoaster' available now, in paperback or Kindle edition, after merely 6,341 updates

Only 20 years in the making.

Only 6,341 tweaks, updates, corrections and other changes before it was "ready for prime time."

Now, as of Nov. 1, 2014, "Rollercoaster: How a man can survive his partner's breast cancer" is available — in either a paperback or Kindle edition.

Amazon, the publishing behemoth, has slightly discounted the print version from my originally established list price of $18.18 (a "life-plus-life" symbolism building on one meaning of the Hebrew word chai).

Woody enjoys "Rollercoaster" proof.

The Kindle price is $9.99, with no symbolism whatsoever.

"Rollercoaster" shows "how a pair of very-human beings overcame their anguish in the wake of relentless medical procedures."

It spotlights tons of lessons that I, Woody Weingarten, learned, and lots of emotions I felt, while leading a men's support group for almost 20 years — and simultaneously dealing with my wife's breast cancer, her treatments and the aftermath.

In the final analysis a love story, "Rollercoaster" also illustrates "that physical and psychological hurdles must be cleared, that strong relationships can help kill not only mutated cells but worries that metastasize."

I'm certain that male caregivers can benefit from reading "Rollercoaster" because, even if they mistakenly believe they require zero help and can fix anything, they, too, need support.

Women who are preoccupied with a life-threatening disease may suggest their husbands, boyfriends, fathers, sons and brothers read it.

Or they may read it themselves to find out what those males are feeling.

"Rollercoaster" includes such wisdom as: "It feels good to let go of anger at doctors for not having instant answers; at pharmaceutical companies for manufacturing life-extending but not necessarily life-saving drugs; at yourself for not having a magic wand."

And, "It's crucial to remember each person is an individual, not a statistic (and that breast cancer couldn't care less about race, creed, sexual orientation or politics)."

Buy a copy (or two or three or…). That'll help me spread the message — that male caregivers can help a great deal but need support.

Like I did.