Getting on with Cancer

Please note that the binding on this book is in an old style.

This book is based on a story by Veronica Donaghey, a woman with Down’s syndrome who had lymphoma. Veronica wrote:
“I’d like the book to be for doctors to read it. A Down’s syndrome girl has had cancer twice and pulled through it. It’s not all bad news. I don’t mean doctors are stupid but they are sometimes. I’m not a burden. I help other people. I put something back. It’s for everybody really. I’d like the book to have a happy ending. I’d like there to be photos of the people that helped me. I’d like Beth to draw the pictures.”

Sadly Veronica has since died of her illness.
This book is designed to support people like Veronica, who become unwell and are diagnosed as having cancer. In this story, Veronica visits her GP, who refers her to a hospital consultant. She has a chest X-ray and then is admitted to hospital for an operation. After the operation, the consultant tells Veronica that she has cancer, but that “it’s not all bad news”, some cancers can be cured. She goes on to receive radiotherapy and then chemotherapy sessions.

After the chemotherapy has finished, Veronica feels better. She is glad the treatment is finished. She hopes the cancer is cured. The story is divided into different sections highlighting the different experiences that cancer patients may have.

“This book deals honestly with the unpleasant side of treatment, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is in a highly accessible format and is ideal for a person with a learning disability to read through with their supporter.

— Women's Health, Sept/Oct 2003

“Getting on with Cancer is based upon the story of Veronica Donaghy, a woman with Down’s Syndrome who was diagnosed with lymphoma, and includes her personal story, written in her own words. The book shows her having surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and deals honestly with unpleasant aspects of treatment, including side effects and anxieties.

— Cancer Care News. Royal College of Nursing, 2003

“We have found that the pictures help people with learning disabilities talk about their experiences and feelings around cancer.

— Breast Cancer Care News, 2003