Description
£9.99 Special launch price available for a limited time.
Life does not always stick to the plan. One minute you are working in engineering and CAD design, thinking about deadlines and the next cup of tea, and the next you are hearing news that stops everything in its tracks. This memoir follows the unexpected detour that began with a prostate cancer diagnosis and the long, occasionally absurd journey back to feeling like yourself again.
What unfolds is a story of treatment, recovery, family chaos, a stag do, a wedding, and the arrival of a granddaughter who makes the whole fight feel worth it. Told with honesty, dry humour, and a stubborn refusal to let life have the last word, this is a book about facing fear, finding perspective, and discovering that even when life knocks you flat, you can still get up and laugh about it later.
At its heart, it is about survival, family, and the surprising clarity that appears when life forces you to slow down and pay attention.
Book size Format B 19.8cm (7.8” ) x 12.9cm (5.08” )x 1.6cm(5/8”). 224 pages.
UK delivery only. Paperback orders are typically dispatched within 5–10 working days. If the item is on backorder, please allow an additional 7 working days for printing before dispatch.
Toni –
Neil tells his story with humility, honesty and a sprinkling of humour. I learnt a lot and enjoyed following the progress from diagnosis through treatment and recovery – both physically and mentally. His explanations of symptoms, treatments, experiences and options for his own treatment were clear and unfussy, with lots of amusing anecdotes and a positive mindset.
Appreciating the support of his loved ones, Neil acknowledges that recovery is a team effort and overall the storytelling is uplifting and positive, which would also be of benefit to friends and family of those facing their own diagnosis.
Simon Scott (verified owner) –
A frank and honest account of dealing with news that somewhat derails a steady and settled life. While not intended as a “how-to” template for dealing with a diagnosis, treatment, and recuperation, Neil’s story describes how the combination of internal resources such as fitness and mindset, combined with the external resources of loved ones and medical teams were key to facilitating recovery. Hopefully this story will educate and inspire others on their individual journeys.
joanna Sturrock (verified owner) –
This book provides a powerful and honest insight into balancing a prostate cancer diagnosis with the realities of everyday life. Written in a deeply personal way, it combines moments of humour with the emotional highs and lows that come with navigating cancer, making it both engaging and relatable.
It opened my eyes to many of the challenges and struggles that people living with prostate cancer face things I had never previously considered. The author’s openness, resilience, and ability to find light-hearted moments amidst difficult circumstances make this a truly inspiring read.
On a personal level, I am incredibly proud of the author, who also happens to be my father-in-law. His courage in sharing his journey will undoubtedly help others feel understood, informed, and less alone.
Dave Short –
Neil’s book is a great read. Setting the scene through his earlier life, with his engineering work actually designing tools which he would know all about in his later treatment, on to the many difficult and uncomfortable stages through diagnosis and surgery. Written in a humorous and engaging manner that made you want to carry on reading and find out what happened next. Also humbling to read when we think of our own petty problems.
Big Jon –
A genuinely inspiring and heartfelt read. The author strikes a great balance between honesty, humour and emotion, making what could be a very difficult subject feel relatable and uplifting. The story is engaging throughout, and the reflections on family, resilience and finding perspective really stay with you. It’s a reminder that even in life’s toughest moments, there is still room for hope and laughter. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
keith martin (verified owner) –
So firstly I’m friends with Neil and aware of what he had to endure. My comments are not biased at all and can honestly say that I rarely read books but of course I had to make the effort seeing as I had bought it and I knew the author. After a short time I felt I couldn’t not read his story, some of which I knew but written down they were more engaging. His experience with prostate cancer is very detailed and hopefully I don’t experience what he had to endure. So this is a very readable book I can recommend it.
Joseph Mullett –
As a colleague of Neil’s, it was both powerful and humbling to read such an honest and deeply personal account from someone who, in everyday life, carries himself with unwavering positivity and a determination not to let either the stresses of modern life or, in this case a life-changing diagnosis, define who he is.
Neil never attempts to diminish the gravity of a prostate cancer diagnosis, nor the challenges that come with it. Instead, he shares his experience with remarkable honesty, and a wonderfully dry wit that had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. His humour and perspective are shone through every chapter, serving as a testament to the strength of character that has undoubtedly helped him through an incredibly difficult journey.
This is far more than a book about illness; it’s a story of resilience and the importance of maintaining perspective in the face of adversity. As someone who has been making a conscious effort to step away from the constant noise of modern media and spend more time reading personal accounts and real-life stories, I found this to be an engaging, inspiring, and genuinely uplifting read.
I would highly recommend this to anyone, not only those whose lives have been affected by a form of cancer, but anyone who appreciates an authentic story told with honesty, warmth, and a fair bit of humour.