Page 1~33

Summary:

            The book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is written by Rebecca Skloot, from page 1 to 33, it talks us about the beginning of Henrietta’s cervical cancer. The author knows Henrietta is from her biology teacher Defler. He talks about the immortal cells from Henrietta. The author interests in Henrietta’s story and does a research to write a book about Henrietta and her cells. When Henrietta bears Deborah, she feels something is wrong in her belly. After her fifth child, Joe, is born, she finds out a lump grow in her womb. She tells to her husband Day, they go to Hopkins together to check that out. The doctor Jones needs to do a biopsy for a diagnosis so he cut a sample from Henrietta’s tumor. Henrietta is raised in Clover with other cousins by her grandfather.  She has to do housework. She leaves school in sixth grade.  She has her first child when she is fourteen. Then, Day and she get married when they have two children. They work on the tobacco filed to support their family. The war starts in the United States. The wars affect the tobacco company, Henrietta's family leaves Clover. Jones reports that Henrietta has a cervical cancer. Two types of carcinomas are invasive carcinomas and noninvasive carcinomas. Henrietta’s cancer is malignant. TeLinde is a cervical cancer expert and the Geys does cell experiments. Hopkins asks Henrietta’s operation permit for curing her, but TeLinde and Gey take her cells for examination without Henrietta’s knowing.

Impression:

            Henrietta is a brave and independent woman. When she has a cervical cancer, she accepts this bad news and the doctor’s treatment. She still enjoys her life and does what she needs to do. In my imagination, most women cannot stay calm when they get a cancer. Cancers are a terrible thing for all people whether they are invasive or noninvasive. If I have a serious disease, I will cry and complain that the world is unfair. The sadness and complaint cannot solve the problem which has happened. We have to study Henrietta’s spirit and attitude; she faces her life honestly and peacefully.

Question:

            Does Henrietta feel different on physical and mental when she has a cervical cancer?