books

The hospital in Taunton is a labyrinth of buildings that sprung up in the grounds around the old 1942 hospital, with the building maze linked by corridors and walkways. All very Greek.
Available as a PRINT.

Odyssey: My Journey Back home. This is the front cover illustration from my book which references Greek Mythology, astrological cancer sign and a crab.
Available as a PRINT.

in my ODYSSEY book this is the drawing about the beginning of my journey in April 2021. The biopsy cut needed to investigate the tumour that was slowing growing in my left breast.
Available as a PRINT.

This was my later response to the biopsy result, carrying my iPad where all the drawings were made. Placing myself this is the way to Breast Care Clinic where I got the news.
Available as a PRINT.

After all my treatments this was our meet-up place, the M&S Cafe in the hospital, where we shared all my news. The young girl is an image of our daughter who drove me to one appointment there.
Available as a PRINT.

Seeing the large polo shaped CT scanner I knew I would be meeting the Cyclopes as in the Homeric epic of my journey back home. This is a line drawing using photos from my iPhone.
Available as a PRINT.

Here’s my hero who drove me to all appointments in the West Country Fair, from Devon to Stroud with Somerset in between, except for just one, and you can read about that in my book.
Available as a PRINT.

Passing through the cave of STRONG MAGNETIC FIELDS was my next Cyclopes - a very noisy full body MRI scan. This drawing is based on my reflected image in the changing-room mirror.
Available as a PRINT.

Walking to the room for my first Chemo Session I had a strong memory of my mum holding my hand as we walked into hospital for my tonsil operation, aged 7. This is me in my party dress.
Available as a PRINT.

This reflection in my mirror at home was my comb-over breakdown moment when my hair started to fall out. As I gingerly brushed, it reminded me of a certain orange ex-Apprentice host.
Available as a PRINT.

So this is me and my girl in our FRUITY PINK and ‘Blade Runner’ style wigs. Find more about that in the book as you sing “Put on your red dress baby, and wear your Wig Hat on your head”.
Available as a PRINT.

On the invitation of my Macmillan nurse I attended a ZOOM call with a make-up expert. One really helpful exercise was how to draw eyebrows, especially useful as they disappear.
Available as a PRINT.

Sitting in my red ChemoSabe chair undergoing the first cocktail of 3 powerful drugs. This multi headed monster I named SCYLLA and like Odysseus I have to fight it through 4 long sessions.
Available as a PRINT.

This was my statement look throughout my treatment, a pink wig and sunglasses. During the month of August many birthdays are celebrated, unfortunately one of my star earrings got broken.
Available as a PRINT.

My 4th session of the single Chemo drug. It was a fierce monster and aptly named CHARYBDIS, like the whirlpool encountered in Homer’s tale. This was the day my PICC line was removed.
Available as a PRINT.

Sunday, the night before my mastectomy operation and we take a mould of my breasts. My plan was to cast the left one in CHOCOLATE and I am still waiting to get round to doing it.
Available as a PRINT.

On becoming an Amazon - another Greek myth - on the wrong side for archer! Taken on the day my bandage was removed I was shocked by it’s brutal stark reality, but I’m still standing.
Available as a PRINT.

This was the start of my post-treatment iPad drawings. My hair has began to grow and I mimicked GLADYS’ pout. I loved the vector colours and chose 2 that repeat throughout my book.
Available as a PRINT.

Now travelling through the constellations of Pheonix, Pegasus and Orion as I underwent my final treatments of Radiotherapy. The three machines I visited were named after these stars.
Available as a PRINT.

Standing in my garden a whole year has passed since my initial appointment at the Breast Care Clinic. My hair is now fashionably cropped, salt and pepper grey and the news is ‘thumbs up’ good.
Available as a PRINT.

This is the day I have a mammogram check-up. It is the first of the 5 yearly appointments that you get after breast cancer. And that day it was for only one, my right breast, and it was clear.
Available as a PRINT.