Dancing with Cancer

This is the moving story of a journey through the rollercoaster of cancer diagnosis and treatment by someone who was also involved in the Bristol Cancer Help Centre. As the author points out in the introduction, 'even when we immerse ourselves in the fullness and busyness of life, each day takes us closer to our own mortality.' And because we tend to give very little thought to this context of life, imagining that it will continue in much the same way, we are taken aback when forced to confront our physical limitations and mortality. It means living each day to the full, but realising that every day is in fact a birth and a death, sunrise and sunset. The diagnosis catapults her from the world of the therapist to that of the patient, a sudden transition to an awareness of the body as in some sense alien.

Many friends sent cards and flowers as a token of support, which the author refers to as the wall of love. However, others find it very hard to express themselves. Diana comes to realise that she is truly loved and that we are all part of a universal flow of energy. She takes a positive view of chemotherapy, quoting throughout from her journal and relating significant dreams to the journey, trying to live without fear, living in love and trust as an expression of gratitude to life. Later in the book, she refers to the work of Sogyal Rinpoche as she begins to contemplate the yoga of death. She clearly draws sustenance also from Osho, realising that life and death are not in fact separate. Fear of death arises out of clinging to life, and we need to learn how to let go. The last part is written by her husband Chetan, describing the final phase with further extracts from Diana's journal. It is a story of great courage and inspiration and as much about life and living as it is about death and dying. It gives readers a chance to be truly grateful for the opportunities in life as it unfolds and without waiting for a terminal diagnosis.