Inspirational

I was asked to review this by the Nursing Times Journal

What was it like?

Twenty-one-year-old lady with a relationship of just four weeks is diagnosed with malignant bowel cancer. Sadly, she was not able to have chemo as the number of polyps meant that it was too risky and radical surgery had to take place and the result an ileostomy bag. This was bad enough but to hope that a relationship so early on would survive this.

This is Leanne’s journey and those close to her. This is written as a diary.

What were the highlights? 

The highlights were this was a real person’s experience warts and all, reality rather than someone trying to write about how brave someone was – and she was but it gives the reader the insight into this person’s mindset and those around her.

The care she received was second to none – all too often we read about negative aspects of care- the author could only speak highly.

What was interesting was that the author then passed the writing to friends and family including her boyfriend to give the carer and family experience something Leanne can look back on and realise she was not on her own. For her relationship with her boyfriend it was so poignant when he stated after she had come through this horrendous journey “our life together has started”

Strengths & weaknesses:

This was a well written easy to read diary type book of a real person who went through a terrible time but came out the other side with the support of the hospital, specialists, family and friends.

It is modern Leanne and her mother watch You Tube to gain experience of a girl changing and cleaning her stoma. In my day we gave patients leaflets.

There were no weaknesses.

Gives the reader hope if Leanne can do this we all can if faced with the same problems.

Who should read it?

Anyone who is working in this field of surgery who will care for these patients, student nurses and junior doctors, patients who are going through similar experiences along with their loved ones and family.