Book review by Jodi Heckel, The News-Gazette, 1/24/2016
Reading Joe’s Blasts is not easy, yet gifts abound: laugh-out-loud moments,
insights of grace and power, gratitude for simple joys, and most of all
the light of Joe’s deep love for his family and for life itself. Joe proves a
witty, thoughtful, and courageous guide through a difficult illness.
—Susan King, friend
insights of grace and power, gratitude for simple joys, and most of all
the light of Joe’s deep love for his family and for life itself. Joe proves a
witty, thoughtful, and courageous guide through a difficult illness.
—Susan King, friend
I read this as Joe was writing it and again four years posthumously. Still
captivating, LOL funny, deeply moving, and inspiring. Joe’s gift reminds
us to live every moment with grace and courage and appreciate the little
things in our lives.
—Mary McGrew, grateful friend
captivating, LOL funny, deeply moving, and inspiring. Joe’s gift reminds
us to live every moment with grace and courage and appreciate the little
things in our lives.
—Mary McGrew, grateful friend
The beautifully written Joe’s Blasts will have you in tears of laughter and
sadness, with a terrific combination of sharp wit, insight, and important
lessons applicable to everyone, not just those affected by cancer.
—Andy Drackley, Joe’s third son
sadness, with a terrific combination of sharp wit, insight, and important
lessons applicable to everyone, not just those affected by cancer.
—Andy Drackley, Joe’s third son
I cried then I laughed then I cried again. But reading Joe’s Blasts taught me
to strive to be a better person and to appreciate every aspect of every day.
—Mary McGrath, Jan Seeley’s running partner and friend
to strive to be a better person and to appreciate every aspect of every day.
—Mary McGrath, Jan Seeley’s running partner and friend
You will be inspired by Joe Seeley’s compelling story of his brave fight
against leukemia and how he handled life’s greatest adversities with
humor, humility, and grace.
—Jill Wikgren, Joe’s Human Kinetics colleague
against leukemia and how he handled life’s greatest adversities with
humor, humility, and grace.
—Jill Wikgren, Joe’s Human Kinetics colleague
Joe, I wish that we could have done more to control—or better, to cure—your disease.
I hope you know how much you gave me through your humor and insights
throughout your treatments. I am better for having known you.
— Lucy A. Godley, professor, Section of Hematology/Oncology at the
University of Chicago
I hope you know how much you gave me through your humor and insights
throughout your treatments. I am better for having known you.
— Lucy A. Godley, professor, Section of Hematology/Oncology at the
University of Chicago
Every once in a while, perhaps once in a lifetime, you come across an individual
who can shape your way of thinking, your approach. Whether you had the pleasure
of knowing Joe Seeley or not, his story transforms the importance of how
to look at life. How to appreciate it. How to laugh at it. And how to love
those around you. Thank you, Joe Seeley . . . may we each always enjoy the blueberries!
—Janice McAteer, fellow runner and lover of blueberries
who can shape your way of thinking, your approach. Whether you had the pleasure
of knowing Joe Seeley or not, his story transforms the importance of how
to look at life. How to appreciate it. How to laugh at it. And how to love
those around you. Thank you, Joe Seeley . . . may we each always enjoy the blueberries!
—Janice McAteer, fellow runner and lover of blueberries
I was working my way through nursing school and reading Joe’s blog
posts as often as he was writing them. His journey shaped my nursing
practice in so many ways! I remember him daily when I see patients with
similar struggles and turn them into opportunities to make a difference.
Joe’s Blasts made me laugh, cry, and inspired me to be the best nurse I can be!
—Angela Arrowsmith, RN, Joe’s niece
posts as often as he was writing them. His journey shaped my nursing
practice in so many ways! I remember him daily when I see patients with
similar struggles and turn them into opportunities to make a difference.
Joe’s Blasts made me laugh, cry, and inspired me to be the best nurse I can be!
—Angela Arrowsmith, RN, Joe’s niece
Joe battled leukemia with grace and humor. Through his words and kind,
gentle spirit, we can all learn how to live more meaningful lives.
—Brian Holding, CEO Emeritus and colleague of Joe’s at Human Kinetics
gentle spirit, we can all learn how to live more meaningful lives.
—Brian Holding, CEO Emeritus and colleague of Joe’s at Human Kinetics