Various doctors, nurses, friends and family had been encouraging me to write about cancer from my somewhat unusual standpoint, with the hope of demystifying the subject and removing some of the taboos. As my career as a pentathlete was looking increasingly shaky, due to the medics turning my body into a sluggish patchwork blimp, I decided to write. I found to my surprise, that I couldn't stop once people started to read it.

A quarter of a million visitors to the Cancergiggles weblog later and I was convinced that at least a small proportion of the unsuspecting world was ready to rethink its approach to illness, life, death and humour - it was time to publish a book.

I am now, nothing like as nearly dead as I was and I am in absolutely no doubt that this is due to the healing done "in zee ed" as my French surgeon said. I don't fight, struggle, hope for or expect anything, but I am now quite a long way past my "Expected to be dead by" date and having a load of fun. Try it.

Readers comments

"I'm pretty much speechless... but I'm compelled to try to pull a line or two out of my head that conveys the huge smile I have on my face. I can't do it. Rest assured the smile is here. :) Many blessings to you"

"Cass, another small masterpiece. Take out the small, just leave masterpiece."

"Wow, you are an amazing person. I am astounded at your courage, your wit, and your attitude. Thank you for your sharing your story. You have given me much to think about. I am almost speechless. You seem to have the gift of peace and contentment that so many find elusive."

"I love this blog! I read it and learn. I am always learning, and I know for me I only have this moment and this moment is all of eternity. Thankyou so much sharing. I just cant thankyou enough."

"You give us all so much - more than you can know. And for that I thank you."

"It is a pleasure reading your blog - because of your wonderful sense of humour; and your ability to look at life so clearly despite the fact that you are battling cancer."

"How can one say thankyou when thankyou just doesn't seem like the right thing to say? I appreciate you? I value your insights? Your humour touches me? See now, while all I state is true, it doesn't cut it for I feel that you are more than that. Inspirational? We, quite possibly, might to be getting close. Forget it. You've heard it all before, you know your worth because you believe in yourself and what you're doing. You inspire that in others (worldwide) and I find that a pretty incredible feat."

"Here you are, embracing life and all it has to offer in the face of this bastard cancer. You are far braver than I, and I'm only fighting a mental illness. Bravo to you!!! Seriously, the world needs more people like you!!"

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