Beware of Falling Coconuts by Gillian McNeil
What Did I Think:
Not sure quite where to start.
This is such an emotional account of the authors harrowing experiences whilst undergoing treatment for breast cancer. But saying that as emotional as it was there was plenty of humour throughout.
I am lucky that I have no experience of breast cancer within my immediate circle of friends but I can see how this book would be helpful to share the experiences. It was very readable and not full of medical speak.
This book will stay with me for sometime and really brings to the fore that who you have in your life is so important.
And it also made me realise that at the age of 53 I still have not been for breast screening. I missed out just as I turned 50 and I am thinking it is now overdue but with Covid I can well imagine the service is delayed. Maybe then another health crisis waiting to raise its ugly head with all these missed routing appointments??
Author Bio
Gillian was born and brought up in Monifieth. After graduating
from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Gillian worked
as an actress in theatre, radio and television. She is probably best known for
playing the character of Lynne McNeil, in the long running soap opera Take the
High Road, for Scottish Television.
After living in London, and then Australia for several years, she
returned to Glasgow where she currently lives with her husband Alan, daughter
Molly and Toy Poodle Maggie.
Gillian began writing and performing shows for children when Molly
started school. These proved to be very popular amongst the early years
audiences and gave her a taste for writing and creating her own work.
BEWARE OF FALLING COCONUTS is her first book.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and successfully
treated, she wanted to do something to help others. Having previously lost her
own mother, mother in law, auntie and friend to the disease, she understood
only too well, the fear receiving a cancer diagnosis brought.
“I didn't want Molly growing up scared. I wanted to give her a
positive message. If I could laugh it allowed her and others to laugh with me.
After all I had the easy job, I just had to take the drugs and stay positive,
it was far tougher for Alan and Molly. When I started writing Beware of Falling
Coconuts, I was terrified. I didn't want to revisit that place in my head. I
was scared to go back….I wasn't sure if it was a play, a book, or just a lot of
nonsense. I wanted to do this not just for Molly, but for all the brave women
and men who hadn't been as lucky as me.”
Gillian was inspired by the courage of people she met, who showed
her that there was humour to be found even in the most bizarre situations. From
losing her hair to losing her memory, there was one clear message:
“I lost my boob not my sense of humour.”
Buy Link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1691620386/?ref=exp_kellysloveofbooks_dp_vv_d
