Here is a list of the most-read Lifesaving Poems during 2015: Mary Oliver, The Journey UA Fanthorpe, Atlas Ted Hughes, … More
Category: Chemotherapy
Why do it?
because of the words and because of the books because of the woman in the anorak at the swimming baths … More
Ghost chemo
It’s hard to describe. One day your are fine, not quite the same (age will do this to you), then … More
Nine years ago today
Nine years ago today I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells. Even though I have … More
Poetry highlights of 2014
I have so much to be grateful for in 2014. The year began in one of my temporary fits … More
This is the day
I am taking a break from writing brand new blog posts over the summer. Instead of posting new work I … More
This isn’t happening
Don’t forget, this is inside us every day -Stephen Berg This is not happening. It happened. Past tense. One … More
Then this
Then this. We are sitting with hospital mugs of tea, in the Quiet Room. We are all leaning forward, listening … More
This is the day
This is the day we go the hospital as usual. We have banter with Jörn and Nadine while they inject … More
Sailing through
Dear Anthony Two cycles down, just six more to go. You are not looking bad, considering. The belligerent doctor who … More
Get out of the house while you can
Dear Ant So you’ve had your first chemotherapy treatment. That first night, when you came home and carried the sick … More
The most read Lifesaving Poems of 2013
These are the most read Lifesaving Poems posts of 2013. Mary Oliver, ‘The Journey’ I first read this on … More
Lifesaving Poems: Jane Kenyon’s ‘Let Evening Come’
Let Evening Come Let the light of late afternoon shine through chinks in the barn, moving up the bales as … More
Chemo reading
I wrote here recently about losing my ambition as a writer. In case readers are in any doubt, the stuff … More
The art of Jörn Cann
This is Jörn Cann. He was my ward doctor at the haematology unit where I was treated for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma … More
Losing my ambition
Towards the end of my treatment for cancer in 2006 I had one of the most profound conversations of my … More
The ‘rollercoaster ride’ of cancer: an Interview with James Landale
It was great to hear the BBC’s Deputy Political Editor James Landale’s interview about his experience of treatment for cancer … More
Lifesaving Poems: Jo Shapcott’s ‘Era’
As I say in my full length review of Jo Shapcott’s Of Mutability, really good books about cancer are rare. Really … More