A Most Clarifying Battle

The late Landis Vance was a chaplain, scientist and educator who examined research into illness, suffering and spirituality, and movingly articulates her own rollercoaster experience of cancer where the treatments as a whole took a huge toll, with cytotoxic chemotherapy nearly killing her on more than one occasion. She depicts 'the inner landscape of suffering' and the loss of control that often results from the patient – medical system interaction. Even in the face of such suffering, one can still live a full life, even though full of challenges to one's habitual way of functioning and relationships with friends and family. This is particularly the case when the cancer extends over five or more years. The journal entries in the second part bring this vividly to life, with repeated CT scans and a rhythm of remission and relapse, hope and fear, leading to the realisation that one may achieve healing without a cure. Sometimes, treatment options are agonising as one has to make a decision while fearing the consequences. Readers will be inspired by the courage, persistence and tenacity of the author, as well as by her lucidity and compassion.