About harker

harker

Hi Lisa I have an incurable condition (multiple myeloma) and felt just like you when I was diagnosed. That is four years ago now and I am managing to live with the condition. Some people say that their cancer has become their friend and I know what they mean. I was extremely anxious about the test stage (bone marrow and kidney biopsies, CT scans) and remember being particularly freaked out by the CT machine which reminded me of a pizza oven. A few weeks later I read an article about a woodworker who had crafted a beautiful toy CT machine that could be used to explain the test to young children before it took place. I remember thinking what a good idea that was and how it would have certainly made a difference to my state of mind if someone had sat me down with a toy CT machine for a play first. H

harker

John Diamond is very funny and a good writer. His book is very readable and I am sure you would be able to relate to it very well. It is a serious work but it won't club you over the head.

harker

'a bit of a girly take' come on samex, keep writing...I'm listening H

harker

and from me too. I learned how to push dialysis needles (huge!) through my skin and into veins, so that my blood could be cleaned. It took me about four weeks to get up the courage to watch the nurse pushing them in and then another four weeks before i began to do it myself. I know what you mean about it. It is a hugely confronting act. Yes, well done. H

harker

Sounds good. Thanks Craftyone

harker

I am pretty moved by these comments. I am not in the same position, but you are highlighting the issue I have with the constant pushing of the fight/positive/win approach. I don't understand that approach at all. I would understand it even less and would certainly get grumpy about having to put up with it if I were in your position - both of you. I am not surviving (the best word for me, by me) because I am positive, fighting, brave, determined, inspired, heroic or any bloody other rubbishy word. I am surviving. If I were not surviving I would want people to acknowledge that I am most likely dying. Glad you both have stuck your heads up out of the trench... so to speak. All the best. I feel connected to you both and can't see why that won't continue. H

harker

Hey Ben Thanks for posting that response. I have just been onto his web site and played the short film documentary and interview with him. I am keen to read his book, based on your recommendation and his own comments. The best thing is this will be new territory for me. As you would notice from my list I have mostly been reading about the emotional and narrative aspects of illness, not so much the biological aspects. Now I can enter the fray helped by someone whom I can see is very credible. When I posted my list I thought about how self indulgent I was being. Now I am glad that I have further evidence of the value of continuing to be so self-indulgent! H

harker

when this turns into something that someone else can participate in, let us know. OK?

harker

It was a normal day...

harker

These are memoirs and other books I've read in the last three years or so. Any favourites? Pet hates? What's missing? Illness Memoirs Illness: The cry of the flesh Havi Carel Time of my life Joel Nathan Bad Hair Days Pamela Bone Inga Clendinnen Tiger's Eye John Diamond C: Because cowards get cancer too Jean-Dominique Bauby The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Joan Didion The year of magical thinking Simone de Beauvoir A very easy death Lauren Slater Lying Stephen Schneider The Patient from Hell Assorted Others Joseph Campbell The Hero with a Thousand Faces Carl Elliott Better than well James Pennebaker Opening up Christina Baldwin One to One Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer Writing through the darkness H

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