Back in April, I posted something here about the unexpected depilatory effects of chemotherapy, and asked readers if they thought there was a place for the personal in the Prospect blog. More generally, I asked, what makes writing about illness interesting to others?
The response was encouraging, both on the comments board and in private messages. To sum up, people appreciate having a clear description of things that don’t usually get noticed – sheer reporting from the cell face – and a level of analysis that can connect the particular to the general.
I started scoping out some themes right away for a series of postings, but got distracted by treatment and other major life difficulties. Now I am back. The aim is to find a language to talk about the body that is neither personal nor impersonal. It’s about a particular experience, but not “my story” in narrative. That old literary form, the personal essay, delivered by blog.
The first in the series will focus on blood: how the composition of what is flowing through our veins can affect the mind, and our existence generally.
Others will look at being a patient; the way one learns to assess risk and mortality; and the impact of serious illness on our relations with other people.
Any feedback on these themes, or indeed others that you think I should consider, is very welcome.
Without reference to “your story” , but glad that you are back,
and hope it’s all going well
” … how the composition of what is flowing through our veins can affect the mind ”
Apparently, all patients under the age of 45 admitted to psychiatric wards with acute schizophrenia in Gloucestershire over the past 5 years have been ‘on’ cannabis