“Mom’s Cancer” by Brian Fies

Brian Fies’ short, graphic novel, “Mom’s Cancer,” recounts his mother’s battle with metastatic lung cancer and the family dynamics that unfold during treatment. Originally created as an online comic, Fies work won an Eisner Award for best digital comic and has since then been collected into this physical book.

The book doesn’t waste any time getting into its story — immediately we’re introduced to the main characters: Mom, Me (the author, Brian Fies), Nurse Sis, and Kid Sis. In the subsequent pages, Mom is diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. The story follows the author, his mom, and his two sisters as they face the cancer diagnosis and treatment together.

Everyone is doing everything they can. But some of it conflicts, and none of it is enough. The stakes are too high.

It is an honestly told and sometimes humorous story with characters who feel real and multi-dimensional. Serious illness often brings all facets of our characters to the surface, and Brian Fies is sure to show the good, the bad, and the ugly here. The art is simple and stark in mostly black and white, with some color included for emphasis. One example: the image below, where the siblings are depicted as “superheroes” as their emotional state disintegrates after months of exhausting treatment and anxiety.

Brian Fies also examines the relationship between his mother, her diagnosis, and the various medical providers they frequently visit. He illustrates the fear, confusion, and lack of understanding they all experience (especially Mom) while trying to comprehend her illness and how she feels, with her questions and concerns going largely ignored.

Mom’s panic subsides..but it’s suddenly, terribly clear how much of her strength floats on a fragile bubble of hope and confidence….and how easily it could burst.

The story is well-paced, sincere, and fairly all-encompassing in its presentation of the author’s experience. Even though it is their family’s story — anyone who has been close to a serious illness of a loved one will be able to relate. Several panels had me thinking, “Yes, you nailed it!”

Anyone who is facing a cancer diagnosis, their families, caregivers, and anyone in healthcare can benefit from the insights shared in this book. It is a window into what you might expect if you or a loved one is facing a serious illness. As such, it provides an inner perspective that may make us better caregivers, friends, and medical providers.