I know @Willow often gives us all a lift with her poems on the forum.
Today I’ve just received 3 copies of a book I purchased called Poetry for Purpose.
It was written by a Facebook friend of mine whilst going through a 1 year period in hospital in Southampton dealing with Acute myeloid leukaemia ('AML').
The poems were what kept her going through that year of isolation.
After chemotherapy failed a Bone Marrow Transplant was her only option at a second chance at life.
Fortunately Anthony Nolan found a donor for her. The royalties from the book are raising funds for Anthony Nolan and her treatment centre.
I’m planning to donate the other two copies I purchased to my Haematology Team at Raigmore Hospital and Maggies Highland.
I won’t post a link to Amazon where I purchased my copies from as I’m not sure on the rules on the forum around promoting books. Instead I’ll just share a photo of the front cover.
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Always love a good poet recommendation, and especially a personal one, thank you @DuncanB, I’ll check out her book.
May I recommend Chimera by Brad Buchanan in return? In my typical way I didn’t realise the lovely understated person leading the writing group I was fortunate to have joined was a published blood cancer survivor and professor! His writing is so inspiring to me, but also pretty dark in places like these experiences can tend to be.
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Thanks for sharing a recommendation @Duncan
Michelle isn’t an author or writer as such but wrote these poems to keep her going through all the treatments.
I can’t imagine what it must have been like having a whole year in hospital going through the journey.
The poems I’ve read are very reflective of where she was on her journey.
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Oh I’d say as Michelle has written a book she’s a writer, although I get that she may not think of herself that way.
I’m in awe of people who have a deep need to express themselves, do so, and then decide they’d like to share it publicly! Pretty brave, especially with the subject matter.
Love this thread idea @DuncanB.
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Yes you are right @Duncan Michelle is definitely a writer.
I’ve just finished a first read of the book.
The poems are amazing and so are the life lessons that are included in the pages between the different sections.
Like I’m sure many of us on forum simple things we just took for granted previously are what we thrive on.
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So, so true. Movement, flexibility, stamina… I realised I previously wasted so much energy, while now it’s precious!
Can’t wait to read some of Michelle’s work after that glowing recommendation of yours, I’ll see if my library can order it in or a bookshop 
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Probably similar for all of us @Duncan
Funny how our perspective changes when we have something life changing happen.
Hopefully you can source the book.
I purchased my copies online so you can probably work out what site.
My wife has previously sent things directly from that site to her brother in Michigan.
I know libraries in USA carry huge stocks so possibly be happy to order for you
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@DuncanB @Duncan i couldnt even imagine having to be in hospital a year, how utterly earth shattering that would be! How is your frown now @DuncanB
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Hi @Byrnebaby
I don’t think any of us could contemplate a year in hospital.
I think it’s wonderful that Michelle found a way of coping through writing the poems when she was really up against it
She’s doing well at present
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