The Leukaemia Diaries: Seeing the Funnier Side of Cancer

by A.D. Hyde

The Leukaemia diaries started life as just that, a diary detailing my journey from just before being diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), to the scary ‘I’m going to die’ bit, to the joys of chemotherapy, getting back to work and beyond. However, with every edit and every conversation with a fellow sufferer it transformed into what it is now, which is an emotional, honest and heartfelt account that not only aims to engage, entertain and inform, but also comfort and inspire. It will give family and friends an idea of what their loved ones are going through and what’s going through their mind at such a traumatic and terrifying time. My hope is that sufferers of CML and cancer in general see that they are not as desperately alone as they sometimes think they are and that there are others going through the same experiences and thinking the same thoughts. I want them to know that there is no right or wrong way to act or behave, because we all deal with the possibility of death in our own unique way. My hope is that my little book can inspire and lift them out of a dark place, because I’ve always believed that a smile can bring light into the darkest of times and that laughter can heal.

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2020

About the author

Anthony Hyde is a second-generation Italian who grew up on the cobbled streets of Manchester… well, when he says on, he really means close by… in a house. He spent most of his childhood watching sci-fi/ fantasy movies and fishing for newts and sticklebacks in the local canal. He dreamt of going to university, meeting and marrying the girl of his dreams, settling down to have a family and living happily ever after… and, of course, becoming an astronaut with magical powers. One by one his dreams started to come true: he graduated with a degree in physics, met and married the girl of his dreams and had two beautiful girls. Unfortunately, while he was living happily ever after, he was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. This event awakened the writer’s voice within him and gave him the inspiration to write The Leukaemia Diaries, which is a light-hearted and inspirational account of his experiences from just before being diagnosed with CML through treatment and beyond. In addition to building his back catalogue with books like The Mamma Nero Diaries and The Italian Cookbook, he is also working hard on his remaining dreams… especially the one where he develops magical powers.

Website: www.adhyde.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ADHydeAuthor
Twitter: twitter.com/adhydeauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/adhydeauthor/

Reviews

[Ellie Beadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought a copy of this ages ago but I'm glad I waited because listening to this on audio was such a treat! I love listening to memoirs on audio especially when the author is reading them themselves - it's just the ideal way to read such personal journeys like this.

And I know you would think oh no..... a cancer story......better stock up on the tissues.....but to be honest, I spent a large chunk of this sat at my desk laughing. Yeah its emotional, cancer is an emotional subject of course, but ultimately it's a really hopeful story with a positive outlook. And it's honest (never let anyone take your poo) which is important. I also really loved the advice at the end, which made me smile.

[Heather Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony is a very close family friend so when he told me he was writing a book, of course it was going on my to-read list. Providing an insight into what Anthony experienced, the book also provides snippets of advice into the steps you could take when attempting to deal with and get through the challenges of cancer. This book made me smile and made me tear up. AND, as if my Dad was included in a book before me!

[Emma Hyde-Nero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very emotional read - written beautifully and captures many of the moments a family goes through with this kind of diagnosis. A well executed balance of humour and honesty.

[Carys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge respect to Tony Hyde for writing so openly about his diagnosis, and about living with leukaemia. It's an informative and entertaining read which, at times, made me laugh and cry. But above all it is an inspiring account of someone determined to live a happy and normal life rather than as a victim of the condition.

I believe this will be a great resource and support for anyone newly diagnosed, and for their families and friends too.

[Jerold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good humor

Universal experience for some cancer situations - liked the WoW at end of each chapter. I wish the author well on his cancer journey.

[Caroline Urquhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, well worth reading

I give this book 5 stars. Having been diagnosed with aml myself I could really relate to a great deal of the content. It was informative and helpful without being self pitying, I think relatives of leukemia sufferers would benefit greatly from reading it .