Laura Geist tells in her new book of how during her struggle with cancer the help of others was an "unwrapped gift" that participated in her healing.

Susan Sorensen, who has had two bouts with cancer, relates how the best prescriptions she has filled have come not from a doctor but from God -- and they have been for prayer.

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Their stories are in Praying through Cancer: Set Your Heart Free From Fear, a 90-Day Devotional for Women, published this week by the W Publishing Group, a Christian publisher. In it, women tell how their faith helped them during their illness. Each is accompanied by a prayer and Biblical prayer references.

Geist and Sorensen, both now in remission, hope that others who have been diagnosed with cancer will gain comfort from it.

"The whole focus is looking up," Geist said. "You don't have to face cancer alone."

The book will also help women realize that others with cancer may have the same feelings and experiences, and be able to learn from it.

"We look to others along the way," said Sorensen of going through the illness.

The small hardcover book is designed to fit into a purse, so that it can be read in a doctor's waiting room, for instance. Ninety days is the typical time of treatment for chemotherapy.

AN UNEXPECTED SHARING

The two longtime friends, both moms of two, talked during a spring day interview at Geist's Beverly Hills home. Geist is a freelance writer and correspondent for Automotive News. Sorensen has authored Christian books and articles and was part of an interfaith team that helped establish the National Day of Prayer. Both also speak to Christian groups.

Their friendship began at Highland Park Baptist Church in Southfield when Scott and Susan Sorensen and Gordy and Laura Geist attended a program for young married couples. When the Sorensens, former Troy and Beverly Hills residents, moved to Cleveland and then Grand Rapids, they kept in contact.

Geist was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in September 2002. She was forty, and had put her busy schedule ahead of a mammogram, she says.

One of the first things she did was call her friend. Sorensen sent her a book, 31 Days of Praise by Ruth and Warren Myers to comfort and encourage her. The book ended up inspiring their book.

"It was really a neat uplifting book because when you are diagnosed with cancer there is a lot of hopelessness and fear. And, you have to make all these decisions," said Geist.

Then in May 2003, Sorensen, 41 at the time, was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She had conquered thyroid cancer at age 19.

"I was just recovering from chemo," recalls Geist.

Sorensen was wrestling with whether or not to have chemotherapy and was grateful to be able to talk things over with Geist.

Both women had mastectomies; Sorensen avoiding chemotherapy by doing so. Both then underwent reconstruction.

CALLED TO WRITE

It was Geist who heard a clear call to write the book with Sorensen while getting ready to go to a friend's party in the summer of 2003. "It was kind of on my heart too to write a book," Sorensen told her.

After some prayer, they began researching what was already available. Both came up with the same conclusion. "It just seemed like there was a lot of women writing about their stories but nothing that really walked beside women day by day with a scripture and a story," said Geist.

In the beginning, the book was going to be just their devotionals. But after hearing stories from other women, they decided to include others too.

Among the contributors is a nun, Sister Sue Tracy, who has written for Chicken Soup for the Soul and Kay Warren, the wife of Pastor Rick Warren, author of the bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. Detroit area contributors include Julie Kuntzman of Farmington Hills; Patti Nagle, Berkley; Susan Wilkinson, Royal Oak and Birmingham native, Trina Mavin, Hartland.

"We have been very touched by all of these stories," said Geist. "I've laughed, I've cried, I've been glad," said Sorensen.

GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

Writing the book deepened their faith even more. "God opened doors," they agreed.

"We really saw God using our strengths too, and how easily it kind of fit together," said Geist.

The book is available at Amazon.com, Christianbook. com, Christian bookstores and Susan's Special Needs in Ferndale, a cancer specialty store.

At book signings so far, many women have said they plan to give the book to someone they know with cancer.

"They will tell us about the woman's story they are giving it too. The book really helps people who have been there say the right thing and be encouraging," said Geist.

They hope it will encourage anyone with an illness.

"We are already getting testimonials," said Geist. "We feel very privileged."