Cauda Equi-Not

by Bethany Taylor

‘I’m really sorry to say, the reason we are having to operate on you today is because you have something called Cauda Equina Syndrome. Have you ever heard of it?’ Naturally I hadn’t, she continued. ‘Cauda Equina Syndrome is an extremely rare disorder, your L5 disk is compressing on the spinal nerve roots at the tail of your spine, hence the name Cauda Equina, it’s latin for horses tail. If this goes un-operated for more than forty-eight hours you are likely to have permanent incontinence and permanent paralysis of your lower extremities. As you mentioned, this started on Wednesday evening so we really need to get you into theatre before midnight tonight to have any chance of salvaging your nerves. Also, full disclosure, we have a woman in surgery right now with a difficult labour...’
Meet Pip Parker, she will have you laughing and crying, in parts you may even wince through her pain but above all, you will be uplifted by a young woman who displays a life must go on attitude as she laughs in the face of adversity while she dreams of climbing a mountain.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2019

About the author

Bethany Jo Taylor (16/09/1994) was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and is the second eldest of 6 girls. Living with so many people could be considered more than enough entertainment for a lifetime, but Bethany's path has dragged her through (more than) her fair share of hedges - and mostly backwards by the grip of a pony tail. Health burdens a plenty and with relationships following the same complicated pattern, Bethany found that writing was the best way to summon comic relief in the midst of the madness. And, although sometimes it felt as if the world was truly out to get her, she knew someone, somewhere, would be able to appreciate at least a fraction of her reality.
Cauda Equina Syndrome (2016), family ties (eternal), boys who act like they like you and actually really love you, but still don't want to be with you (too many times) - you know, all that normal stuff that absolutely nobody seems to ever really talk about - So that's what she did, and that's what she will continue to do. Even if you (how could you possibly) get bored of hearing it, life didn't stop throwing her curve balls and she's not going to stop laughing about them. And if you're looking for another sign that she was born to be some form of comedic writer take one look at her name... B. J... Yikes.

Reviews

[Samantha Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is clearly written by someone who has been in the thick of tragedy surrounding a rare disease. But she doesn't feel sorry for herself, she is taking life by the scruff of the neck and getting on with it. The cover says that Pip, the female lead, will make you laugh and make you cry. She does.