Well: A Doctor's Journey Through Fear to Freedom - Softcover

"[Well] will surely be helpful to anybody with a serious illness or, indeed, anybody affected by chronic fear." Richard Smith, British Medical Journal; "An insightful, compassionate account of living WELL in the shadow of death; a book for everyone by an inspiring woman." Professor Liz Grant, Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh; "A poignant yet heart-warming account of a journey - at times over very challenging terrain - told with honesty, humour, and wisdom ... Profound, selfless, and uplifting, this book ... [is] not only a must-read for doctors and health care professionals, [but] for anyone who wants to live well." Stewart Mercer, Professor of Primary Care Research, University of Glasgow; "A very personal story ... [Gunn] shares her transformation from fear to connection and joy and gives insight into how each of us can do so as well. Insightful and profound." James R. Doty, M.D., Professor of Neurosurgery, Director, Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University; "I am very glad to have met such a strong and positive person who has always been eager and willing to take whatever positive advice I have been able to give. Mary's strongly positive mind has given her the ability to deal with the difficulties of ongoing sickness with calm and joy. I am quite sure that her book will give inspiration and encouragement to many." Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, Abbot of Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Eskdalemuir; "Reading a person's story of living with cancer for more than twenty years, you expect sadness and frustration - but Well is testimony to the fact that another response is possible. ... There are other ways to live when faced with adversity, of any nature, and this book is a gentle guide, with humanity shining through." Iona Jones, Medical student (Glasgow); "This book is valuable for anyone from cancer patient to healthcare professional or someone looking to escape fear and find meaning in life." Rosie Morrison, Marie Curie hospice nurse; "Beautifully written, sensitive, and totally captivating ... full of good sense, and very supportive to anyone going through bad times." Dr Dorothy Logie, founder Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group; "What is most special about this book is that its subject matter is wider and deeper than the usual books about cancer. To me 'Well' is about being alive, and about how to accept the inevitability of dying, some day. Mary shares her insights generously and wisely and her book has helped me be clearer and braver in finding my own path beyond cancer." Emma Parker

Mary Gunn is a doctor, mother and wife who has lived with cancer for 20 years. She has worked in Paediatric Oncology (childhood cancer), as a hospital doctor in poverty-stricken Malawi and as a rural GP in Britain. At the age of 44, Mary was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and received full conventional treatment. After a remission of 13 years, she developed a major recurrence and opted for "gentle" treatment only. Six years later, she is still living with cancer.