Two Mothers One Prayer is, an instructional self-help book: ‘paving the way for you and your family, mapping out for you to follow on your journey of childhood cancer.’

The two mothers and co-authors, Laura Lane and Laurie Nersten, meet over the internet, brought together by dire circumstances as their daughters, Celeste and Hayley, undergo treatment for pineoblastoma, an aggressive type of brain tumour.

These two women, inspire, help and support each other, and find strength in their shared Christian faith. And Celeste and Hayley become friends, advising each other on how to cope with their gruelling treatment. At the outset, Laura and Laurie decide to write a book about their experience, which is brave, when you consider they don’t know whether the girls will even survive. Theirs is an equal struggle, until the dynamic shifts, then one becomes the mother of a cancer survivor, while the other, is put in the heartbreaking position of outliving her own daughter.

The book is well-written, copy edited and proofread, although it could have done with a line edit to remove the unintentional repetition, where details in Part One are repeated in the email exchanges in Part Two. To round it off, I felt it needed a conclusion from the surviving mother and daughter, as it did state that this was a story of two mothers. Otherwise, the reader is left wondering whether the friendship, when it was put to the test, was strong enough to endure.

My favourite parts of this book are the tender, quieter moments, such as this one: ‘She would fall asleep in my arms, and then I would crawl off into the little daybed on the other side of the tiny room.’ I liked the email exchanges too, when now and again they drop their guard, instead of having to be on message and be Superwoman, they can say what they’re really thinking and feeling. Recommended, particularly for those who embrace Christianity or New Age healing.

Two Mothers, One Prayer: Facing Your Child’s Cancer with Hope, Strength, and Courage is co-authored by Laura Lane and Laurie Nersten and is the true, inspiring and touching account of their emotional journeys after their twelve-year-old daughters were diagnosed with the same type of brain tumor – pineoblastoma. Hundreds of miles apart, the mothers found each other through an online support site and quickly developed a true and understanding friendship. Their brave girls, Celeste (Laura’s daughter) and Hayley (Laurie’s daughter) became friends too. The book records the events leading up to the girls’ diagnoses, the grueling treatment regimes they went through, the amazing support from family, friends and world-wide well-wishers and, above all, the astonishing faith that got them through. One child survives, one doesn’t, and the authors describe the various coping techniques, prayer methods, and the types of support that helped them deal with the heart wrenching situation their families found themselves in.

Laura Lane and Laurie Nersten’s well-written book is an inspiration and a great deal more. An open and honest account of Celeste and Hayley’s battles, bravery, triumphs and setbacks, it is a source of real help and strength for other families going through the same trauma. The authors’ online messages to each other are used to tell part of the story and show the strength the two gained from their friendship. The strong Christian faith held by both mothers and daughters shines throughout and is a great testimony to the power of prayer, and God’s love. Laura explains the importance of accepting situations and getting support through her technique of reaching out, connecting, reflecting, expressing (finding a creative outlet), and having love for yourself and others. She also stresses the importance of recognizing there will be times of depression and loneliness, a profound effect on the other children in the family, as well as physical exhaustion.

I loved the quotes and useful references to books or resources. Two Mothers, One Prayer is a book written from the heart and it touched my own heart and soul. While difficult to read in parts (due to the sad subject matter) it will, I know, give a great deal to so many families who have a child diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening illness. It is also a source of insight and understanding for all, and a lesson in how to hold on to hope and faith in the darkest of moments. Recommended.

As a mother whose thirteen year old daughter was also diagnosed with a brain tumour in February 2011, “ Two mothers, one prayer: facing your child’s cancer with hope, strength and courage” captivated my heart within seconds of reading it! The way in which it details the unique loud sounds and magnetic powers of the MRI machine, the deep ache in their hearts when having to say goodbye to their daughter for surgery, the anxiety as you wait for tests results and the overwhelming sense of fear for what lies ahead for their sweet girl, brought chills to my soul. It is not by choice that you wish to understand what it truly feels like but it is because of your own experience that you know exactly what it feels like in those moments. It is that sense of helplessness and fear that connects us so deeply. It was as if they were writing about what I had felt and thought, although they knew nothing about our story. 

When your child is diagnosed with a brain tumour or any life threatening illness such as cancer, your world as you know it has changed completely forever. You would do anything to trade places with your child. It is your worst nightmare and you begin searching and seeking for anyone or anything that will bring you comfort and strength to get you through this life changing journey. Laura and Laurie certainly found each other in the midst of their search. Living miles apart yet close at heart by sharing the same journey, demonstrates one of their many hidden blessings received during this very difficult time. 

For Celeste and Hayley, their courage, bravery and determination guided them to creating, nurturing and sharing such a special friendship that only they will fully understand and appreciate. 

It is clear that God knew they needed each other, had special plans for each of them, nurtured their belief of hope through prayer and created a sisterhood for both girls and their moms that will live on forever.

We many never understand the many “why” this happens to our child. But what this book helps us to understand is that in the midst of the “why” and the understandable sense of anger, sadness and despair, there is a greater plan. One too great for us to really understand. However if you can find a way to seek your faith and the willingness to open up your broken heart, there you will find the many hidden blessings offering you comfort, support, hope and love during your darkest of days.” 

“To those of you reading this, this book is wonderful, it is well done and as a mother who has had a child with cancer, I feel this book can bring you hope, help and healing. It brought back so many moments in our lives of our cancer journey with our son, some good memories and some not so good. I love that although both of these families both came from different faiths this did not matter where the prayers were coming from they both enjoyed the blessings as they came along. I especially love the connection the two girls shared with each other as they went through their journey as I know what it is like going through it alone as ours was a rare cancer for our son and sharing the experiences would have been nice.

If you have not read this book you should. I am not much of a reader but I could not stop reading as I wanted to know what happened next. This book will help so many people who go through a cancer journey with their child and I wish them well. It is sure to help so many others, good luck and may Heavenly Father Bless you both for wanting to share your stories with us.”

“The touching, unforgettable story of two brave girls fighting a deadly disease, and the loving support of the women who gave them life.”

“I can’t put your book down at night. I am walking around sleep deprived for the past two days. I am half way through. I feel like I am there with you and Laurie awaiting test results. The letters that forged your friendship are uplifting and endearing. I will definitely be writing an endorsement for this work, and recommending it as a must read…… Laura I finished it. I have tears streaming down my face. I already knew the outcome but it did not make it any easier to read. I want you to know, I did not bail on that chapter, I figure if you could go through that and endure it, the least the rest of us can do is travel that journey beside you and not bail. You are the strongest women I know and your heart is one of compassion and purity. Let me think on what way best to express how this book has touched me and why the world needs to hear this story of love and courage and sacrifice.”

“Laura I just finished your book and I have to tell you it is amazing. It is so beautifully written and the actual emails between yourself and Laurie, are wonderful. When you spoke about the diagnosis and treatments, I could almost replace Celeste’s name with Kelsey, I could relate so well. I really like how you prepared Celeste for the transition and shared that because really, what do we know about preparing our child for death. I hope that your book can be shared with patients and families in every pediatric oncology ward.”

“While reading Two Mothers One Prayer : Facing your child’s cancer with Hope, Strength and Courage, I asked myself what did I learn, what message are these two stalwart Mothers are trying so sincerely to convey. The answer I discovered was quite simple, yet profound; the outstretched arms of a Mother in never ending hope for their child is the most perfect example of unconditional love found in this life.”

“Two courageous“Two Mothers One Prayer, is an inspiring story of how people take a tragedy and turn it into an inspiring mission. With Laura’s experiences she has created a new outlook on life and parenting. I endorse Laura Lane with this book and any project she pursues in the future in her efforts to helping people and families battle cancer. Any parent needs to read this book, it will inspire to become a better parent.”

“I loved the fact that this book demonstrated that no matter what road the cancer journey may take your family down one must always remain positive and hold on to HOPE with both hands. This book is a must-read for everyone as the lessons and messages conveyed in the book can certainly be applied to any day-to-day life situations.”

“Two courageous women document their heart wrenching journey through every parent’s worst nightmare. If your child is struggling through a serious or terminal illness, please read this book.”

“Two Mothers, One Prayer – two moms’ moving accounts of their families’ childhood cancer journeys told with honesty, love, humour and respect via their shared emails makes for compelling reading.”