Notes Left Behind: 135 Days With Elena

Elena Desserich - My Little Hero

I'm a man in my upper 30's, combat veteran, and many say I'm "rough around the edges". That being the case, I discovered that Elena could turn me into a softy. The book takes you into Elena's life and the life of her family for an intimate experience that will leave you with an appreciation for how little time even the healthiest of people have on this planet and how we need to enjoy our loved ones' company and make the most of each day.

Elena's strength combined with her love has caused me to discover that I look up to, and have learned from, a sweet little 6 year old girl that I never met. She is a hero to me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Story of loss gives lessons of hope and inspiration

When you pick up Notes Left Behind, you assume it'll be sad and tragic. And yes, while Elena's story is devestating, you will find this book full of hopeful messages and lessons learned. Keith and Brooke Desserich offer their raw and intimate perspective in a way that you, the reader, will take from it valuable advice that can be applied to any situation. What a great tribute to Elena who continues to inspire people to do better and help save other children suffering. Pick up this book- and spend those extra moments with your children.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

notes left behind

"Notes Left Behind" is a very touching book, I loved it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must Read

I bought 5 of the books to give as gifts. This book is a must read for any parent. I fell in love with the family reading their on-line journal. I was excited that they chose to publish it. Even though I had already read a lot of it, I am reading it again. There are tears,laughter, life lessons, and so much more.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good book

This is a worthwhile read. Would recommend.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing!

This book is absolutely incredible! I am about halfway through it, and although I already knew Elena's story prior to purchasing the book, I can't put it down. What a poignant, loving tribute to their amazing little girl. What a beautiful keepsake for her younger sister Gracie. I follow several children who have the type of tumor Elena did and their stories, and each one is just as touching and heartbreaking as the next, but to publish their journal in to a book is truly awe-inspiring and SO brave! I jumped at the opportunity to purchase this book not only to read the first hand account again, but to be able to contribute to The Cure Starts Now. Amazing, amazing job Keith and Brooke! I know Elena is proud!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful book.

This is a wonderful book that is also for a great cause. I have given this book as presents to my kids teachers this year and they loved it also. It is very well written and will make you hug and kiss your loved ones one last time before you leave for work. Take your kids outside to play or just have family night playing games or watching movies. Thank you Keith, Brooke and Grace for sharing your lives and memories of Elena with us.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read book!

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It's the best non-fiction I've read. Once you pick it up you won't want to put it down. And I don't believe you can read it without being inspired and seeing life in a new way.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A family's heart wrenching story....

I never knew Elena or her family but read their online journal daily as they expressed their hopes and fears, their ups and downs. Keith and Brooke would say they aren't accomplished writers yet through their words I came to 'know' this family. As they recounted the days, the highs, the lows... there would be days I would laugh and other days when tears would come to my eyes. I was so happy to see that the journal was made into a book. Pick up a copy and you too will come to know this family and see what an awesome child Elena was. Help them fight the battle against this horrible disease that it may soon never rob another family of a beautiful child.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderfully Written Account of an Amazing Family's Journey and the Fight for Their Daughter

Notes Left Behind is a wonderful account of the Desserich's journey with DIPG. Their daughter was a blessing for not only their family, but anyone who learns their story. She is an inspiration to all. This book is great for all crowds, I even have my 11 year old cousin anxiously waiting to read it to learn more about Elena. I plan on giving it as a gift to my mother, aunt and cousin because a portion of the proceeds goes to The Cure Starts Now.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Truly a beautiful tribute and story of a very special little girl!

This really makes you think about what is important in life and helps you keep things in perspective. It's also a great cause. We need to start providing more money for research in pediatric brain cancer!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must read for parents, grandparents, anyone

This is a story of family love, courage and such extraordinary kindness by a child. I was moved and will give it as a gift. It makes death not so frightening and shows a child's thoughtfulness in a most unexpected way. We need more books like this and children this caring.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A very inspiring and touching story.

I recommend this book to all parents and grandparents. It will touch you as it has touch me. Elena was a very special child and she inspires us to appreciate life.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A great book to share with others

i first came across this family when involved with another family with a sick child. I became interested in reading the daily journal entries and was affected in my own relationship with my children, appreciating the little things they did and valuing each day with them. Keith and Brooke wrote thoughtful and insightful journal entries each day that we can all learn something from. I wish them the best in the future with their daughter Grace and pray for the future of all children with DIPG. Hoping this book inspires us all to never give up on the cure for devastating cancers of childhood.

Life Lessons and call to action!

This book not only spotlights the need for more research, but also motivates us to properly align the priorities in our own lives and relationships.

The emotional ups and downs you'll experience in this book put you right in the middle of what this type of tragedy can amerce on a family.

Sobering yet hopeful. A must read.

Wonderful, Touching Book

This is an amazing story. As a mother myselft, I have learned to cherish and hold my kids a little longer each day. Every moment counts. Every family needs to read this book.

Thanks to the Desserichs for sharing their little girl.

Such a heartwrenching story. I can imagine nothing worse than losing one of my children. I know of an 8-year-old little boy who died from this monster (DIPG) towards the end of October. It is senseless to me that so little federal grant money goes towards pediatric brain tumors. We need to raise awareness of this disease and push for for funding for research. God bless the Desserichs for sharing their little girl's journey with us.

Well worth the read

Notes left behind 135 days with Elena by Brooke & Keith Desserich is the true story of a wonderful little girl named Elena who fought a horrible, incurable brain tumor. This book tells us, the readers, from her parents prospective their feeling, thoughts, highs and lows. This book brings home the pain we as parents can experience and hope we never do and are so thankful when we don't have too. It attempts to show us to live each day to the fullest. The subject of childhood cancer and all the ups and downs of dealing with a dying child are conveyed to the reader in a very honest and straight forward manner. One main issue of the book is cancer research as Keith stated "Cancer research is on longer a hobby, it is a passion." This book helps put passion in the reader to hug, love, live, donate, volunteer. A great bonus to the book is that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book benefit The Cure Starts Now Organization. This organization mission is to fight childhood brain cancer and ultimately all types of cancer. The Desserich's are fighting for Elena even after her passing and she reminds them from time to time how important the battle is by letting them find notes she left for them. She wants them to help find the cure so no parent will lose their "sunshine".

This little girl should be an inspiration to all of us!

Even though she knew towards the end that she was dying, Elena consistently thought of others before herself. She made the effort to create and hide hundreds of "I love you" notes all over the house so that her family would find them for weeks after her death.

She didn't complain, she didn't continuously ask "why me?" - she just got on with life, and made sure her family knew how much she appreciated and loved them.

Life Changing

You do not have to know the Desserich Family, as we do. You did not have to watch helplessly as Elena's health declined, as we did. However, reading this book will change your life , as it did ours. You will walk away from this book a better person, parent, friend. You will walk away with the realization that you must never forget that every day matters.