On the Edge After your mother dies, you will learn to live on the edge of life, to brace … More
Tag: Dying
A bright soul keeps on beating
Dying Nothing to be said about it, and everything – The change of changes, closer or further away: The … More
Dreaming about X
I dreamt about my friend X last night. I don’t think I normally dream about him, and don’t recall having … More
From the archives: What I have learned about cancer
Yesterday was the sixth anniversary of my diagnosis with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), an aggressive cancer of the lymphatic system. I … More
Breathing Space July, by Tomas Tranströmer
Breathing Space July The man who lies on his back under huge trees is also up in them. He … More
A sense of wonder, by Arthur Frank
The only real difference between people is not health or illness but the way each holds onto a sense of … More
What drives you?
‘What drives you?’ ‘I’ve only just woken up!’ I say to the book. ‘Don’t care. It’s morning. Work to be … More
On not having cancer
On certain afternoons I am certain it has come back. A twinge in my right side, where the pain … More
Cancer vs. chipper
The thing about having cancer was that it was pretty obvious what was going on. I had been feeling fairly … More
