Food And Travel Photographer Publishes 'Bangers & Mash'
28 Nov 12
Bangers and Mash is no ordinary life story - it's a
tourist's guide to cancer treatment in pictures. "Being treated for cancer
is like being in a foreign country" is how author Keith Hern puts it,
"and what you really need is a guidebook."
Early on in Keith's battle against throat cancer he began to
keep a diary but, being a photographer, Keith's diary is in pictures as well as
words. Recruiting amused nurses and tolerant radiographers to hold the camera,
Keith's book de-mystifies cancer treatment and chronicles every step of the way
back to health.
Not always a comfortable read, Bangers and Mash is
fast-paced and completely compelling. Most importantly, is intended to help
patients and their families understand "what they are in for."
The book is titled after the first solid food Keith was able
to eat after 4 months' of chemo and radio therapy.
The big lesson is that it's not all bad. The book doesn't
pull any punches, but you do learn how it is possible to live through the
treatment and get on with your life. Keith being Keith, he tends to do it with
a smile, so those pictures are very reassuring. Bangers and Mash has already
been widely circulated through the nursing staff at the Royal Marsden hospital
where Keith was treated, is one of the best-selling books in the hospital's
bookshop and Macmillan cancer support have bought a dozen for their
researchers.
In the book, the food-and-wine-loving photographer tells us
with honesty and humour exactly what it s like. From the grim reality of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments to unexpected moments of real warmth
and kindness from friends old and new, the fight to survive is vividly
described. With the help of an NLP coach, Keith challenges the cancer head-on
and emerges triumphant into a new, more colourful world.
A powerfully uplifting read, the book has been endosed by TV
chef Nigella Lawson who said, "I admire Keith Hern's spirit and his
honesty."
Keith is now regularly employed as a motivational speaker
and works closely with the Entrepreneurs' Circle and AXA/PPP. His skills are
evident here: http://t.co/GZ12Gp4j
Contact: keith_hern@hotmail.com
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