Caring for Cancer, the Real Journey

I was married to my best friend for 12 years before he was given the diagnosis of stage 4 gastroesophageal cancer in 2018. He passed away in 2019 after a life-changing journey.

This is my uncensored real-life journey of caring for someone with cancer and how I coped with the emotions and expectations surrounding bereavement and grief.

It is written using real thoughts and feelings and based on factual events. It provides a raw insight into the pure emotions experienced on a day-to-day basis and how, ultimately, I used those experiences to forge my way through bereavement and onto an inspirational journey of finding hope, encouragement and a renewed lust for life.

In my journey, I sadly lost the love of my life but I also gained a new outlook on my future by finding a way to create a ‘new normal’ despite my life changing. If you are going through a similar situation, I hope this book will show you that you are not alone and that the thoughts and feelings you go through are very real. I also hope it shows that despite the darkest of days, it is possible to remember the ones we lose with courage and a determination to turn something so difficult into a life of purpose and hope.

This book offers a real-life insight into the cancer experience from the carer’s perspective. However you read this book, whether you be a carer yourself, a family member, a friend or a medical professional, it can offer a profoundly inspiring and unique insight.

Caring for the Elderly and Those with Dementia

With over 10 years’ experience working as a carer for elderly people, B. Mack decided to write this book to share her knowledge. She has cared mainly for elderly people who were diagnosed with dementia.  

This book contains useful information that will help families, friends and caregivers to deal with their loved ones who may be going through various stages of dementia, from early stages to end stage dementia. With the help of this book you can set up a good environment for them, communicate effectively with them, learn their behavioural patterns, help navigate through changes in appetite and cope with behavioural changes. The useful tips and tried methods will help equip you when faced with challenging times like end-of-life care, dealing with abuse and so much more.

For those who are torn between nursing homes, rest homes or in-home care, there are some advantages and disadvantages listed that you need to take into consideration to help you make informed decisions.  

The coping methods suggested here come from the author’s own experience. Now they might be helpful to someone else too.

Carnal Atrocities

What makes a killer emerge? Could it be genetics or are we shaped by our environments from

childhood onwards?

Lurking in the recesses of the mind is a dark cruelty, cupped in the hands of pleasure and

nurtured by the need for power. Does this exist within us all and if so, how do some control it

and others allow it to consume them?

The detached coldness of a clinic waiting room, the deafening silence that illuminated your

vulnerability. Who’d have thought from such desperation, friendships would flourish.

Starting with a simple hello, a group friendship was forged that would grow from within

adolescence into adulthood. With the strains of trauma beginning to show, the group becomes

aware that the normality expected in the society around them is a far cry from how this group

functions and the cracks begin to appear.

With torture, murder, control and grief only a stone’s throw away, where will the darkness take

this troubled group of individuals?

Carnival

Starting in Ushuaia, at the southern tip of the South American continent, this adventure goes through the windswept plains of Patagonia and past settlements whose immigrants from Wales brought their language and customs with them. The Patagonian plains give way to pampas before reaching the major urban centre of Buenos Aires for some culture and relaxation.

A journey of 1,200 kilometres northwards reaches the magnificent thundering Iguazú Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil and then crosses into Brazil. There is a lot to explore in the Pantanal area of wetlands to see piranhas and capybaras, a giant member of the rat family, before heading to Rio de Janeiro for the extravaganza and colour of the carnival, the biggest party on earth where everyone is invited. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in a city where everybody is partying for a week? But Brazil is a big country and what else is there to see? And that is before traversing the three Guyanas and a space port to reach the Caribbean coast of South America.

Carol's Big Problem

Her dad was waiting with tea in a cup. “Today is your day, Carol.”

Carol’s adventures don’t start off as planned, but does she have the friends to make the journey worthwhile?

Read on to find out in this charmingly illustrated book for children.

Carving Magic

From poetry I have never gone. I only borrowed some mornings from the sunflowers and listened to their songs. The breeze brought sentences from far away, a mystic world displaying in my heart. Sound of love, aromas, colours, emotions. They were gathering at the gate of my mind, so I invited them in my inner world and together have created a genuine poetic space. A Simonic one. For returning the mornings to eternity. As we celebrate our togetherness, I invite you too for a cup of emotions and poetic thoughts poured between the lines.

Casinos in Dublin...My Crazy Ride

This fictional story is about James Foxby, newly arrived in Dublin and finding work as a casino dealer. Here, confidentiality is taken to a whole new level. For this is no ordinary casino. And it appears that the laws of the land have no bearing or standing in the place.

From drunken meetings with the general manager, the wild and unpredictable Herman Mink, to private blackjack games in a luxury hotel suite, James experiences some strange and fairly bizarre happenings. And he meets some quite extraordinary characters along the way.

But he also comes to realise that a very sinister force is at work behind the scenes at the Green Bullion Club. And in the aftermath of him becoming caught up in an act of violence against a customer, the shocking truth about what happened makes him want to leave and not look back.

However, once he begins an intimate relationship with one of the casino’s customers, leaving the country is the last thing he wants. James has not felt this happy in some time.

But soon dramatic events signal the end of his short spell in Ireland, and the subtle, yet ever-present threat of violence from his employer becomes too much to bear.

James cannot help but wonder, after the goodbyes and well-wishes are over, if he will be allowed to simply leave. And even once he has begun his journey home, it seems that Herman Mink has one more trick up his sleeve to make him stay.

Catch Me When I Fall

Embark on a captivating journey with the charming tale of Catch Me When I Fall. Join a spirited and affectionate family as they seize the opportunity of a lifetime, bidding farewell to their cherished home on the Somerset/Devon border in pursuit of the French dream.

With unwavering devotion to their three children, the family immerses themselves in the enchanting tapestry of France, encountering a kaleidoscope of extraordinary individuals from diverse backgrounds. Yet, amidst the tapestry of awe-inspiring experiences, tragedy and unexpected twists challenge their carefully laid plans.

Just when their spirits wavered and hope seemed elusive, a captivating transformation unfurls as a charismatic village doctor enters their lives. Could this encounter kindle the flames of romance and turn their fortunes around?

In Catch Me When I Fall, love, resilience, and the power of serendipity intertwine, painting a vivid portrait of a family seeking solace and renewal amidst the bittersweet melodies of life. Brace yourself for a heartfelt tale that will sweep you away to the idyllic landscapes of France and captivate your soul until the final page.

Catching Breast Cancer

CATCHING BREAST CANCER

“How is it possible to catch breast cancer?”

“How could breast cancer be an infectious disease?”

For over 20 years James Lawson and his local and international colleagues have searched for the causes of breast cancer. By 2021 they had found the answers.

From Australia, Italy, Austria and the US, a handful of medical scientists dared to think outside the accepted narrative. These outward-thinking individuals and small dedicated teams overcame the intense rivalry and competitiveness that so often stymies scientific progress. Over two decades, their collaborative work discovered that you can catch breast cancer and that it can be indeed an infectious disease. These groundbreaking findings have laid the groundwork for the most important step of all – preventing breast cancer.

Lawson's work takes you behind these discoveries to the personal stories of those that have made such immense contributions to science and human health. The dry world of scientific papers and journals comes to life as one delves into the stories of those bright and brave minds that have driven this progress. Some humorous, others sad or poignant, all are fascinating.

From Professor Generoso Bevilacqua of Pisa: “I have just completed reading your book. It was a fantastic experience! One can find everything in it. Science, history, personal memories and many humorous anecdotes.”

Catching Breast Cancer is an important and compelling detective story for our current generation.

Cats

Being a Lancastrian, I enjoyed Stanley Holloway’s Albert and the Lion as a child and so resolved to attempt monologues of my own, choosing the main character, Albert Ramsbottom in tribute to that earlier story. My first tale, A Visit to the Zoo is now being followed by Cats in which Albert retains all his ability to get in and out of trouble. His sense of mischief is not always appreciated by his companion, Lucky the bulldog.

As a boy, I too owned a bulldog, although naturally, I allowed my mum to perform the more mundane tasks relating to the animal’s welfare such as feeding and cleaning up any little mishaps. I have witnessed my eldest daughter, Sarah, perform the same services to dogs with ownership being claimed by her own sons, who despite their careless attitudes towards their pet’s daily needs, have been rewarded with that same unquestioning loyalty and affection.

I do hope you enjoy the book and that it makes you smile when reading it to your young audience or indeed to yourself.

Caught It

Evie loves being with Mummy. Mummy loves being with Evie. But Evie is about to start school. What will she do? How will she get through the day without her Mummy? She will miss her so much.

However, what Evie doesn’t know is that she is about to discover a way of coping with letting go. She will learn that comfort can be brought by the invisible…

“Catch all the kisses that come your way. They’ll make you feel loved all through the day.”

So, join Evie as she discovers the magic of catching and blowing kisses; helping her to enjoy her very first day of school.

A heartwarming and touching story showing us that the people we love and miss can still remain near – however far away they may seem.

So why not spread the magic? Quick! Catch it! 

Cecil Singer Cicada

Cecil Singer Cicada loses his colony when chased by a swooping seagull and finds refuge in a distant tree. Now lost and alone, he begins his quest to reunite with his colony. Cecil meets different kinds of cicadas on his travels who inspire him to sing his own unique song. Will Cecil Singer Cicada ever find his way back home?