Cancer

The presence, effects, and treatment of cancer are central to the narrative's origins, to its content, and to its themes. This last is the most significant, in that of the book's main and sub-themes, along with its structure, use of language, and tonal qualities are all defined, to one degree or another, by the experience of having cancer.

Chemo (therapy)

Chemotherapy (generally shortened to chemo), is one of the most commonly used cancer treatments. It involves the injection of toxic chemicals into the body in an attempt to kill cancer cells, which are generally fast growing and themselves deeply toxic. But because chemo kills all living cells, healthy ones and cancerous ones alike, it is frequently as hard on the body as the cancer itself. The author's various experiences with, and as a result of, chemo are the subject of a significant amount of consideration and commentary...