My Silver Linings: A Memoir to Head and Neck Cancer and Late Effects with Friends

My name is Karen Liesching-Schroder, and I’m a huge advocate for H&NC, for public awareness, the support network and how vital it is for patients and family members to connect; for charities working together and for late effects being recognised as part of the cancer pathway.

In 2023, my husband suggested I write a book about my whole experience, mainly because I shared so much on my social media channels for public awareness. It was then that I wanted to include other H&NC patients to show a variety of H&NC surgery and treatment options. I felt it was important for us all to have a voice, especially with these cancers as they can take away our voices quite literally. It is essentially my journey though and although it covers some important issues and obstacles that I faced over the years, my book oozes with silver linings and positivity.

I also wanted to include some professionals I have worked with along the way; to show their dedication in their fields of expertise and how much they support their patients. Professional support is vital on these cancer pathways, and over the past few years, I have connected with many who provide excellent care.

There is a guide in simple terms for patients and family members and there is a lot of signposting to various support, because we can never have too much support in my humble opinion.

Yes, this is a book for patients and family members (and I am being contacted by patients saying how much it resonates with them.) It is also a book for students and professionals in all fields on this cancer pathway. There are many messages within my book, not only from me, but from the other amazing and resilient patients that said yes to being involved, and from the dedicated professional chapters too. I found this pathway incredibly difficult to be on, so I am hoping this book will help future patients and family members starting out on this journey, and patients and caregivers further down the line, in knowing they aren’t alone with their late effects and support is out there as and when they are ready to access it. Cancer pathways can be isolating, particularly H&NC ones, and I want to change this for the sake of mental health.

I hope when you read it, you will reach out to me as I would love to hear from you.

On social media you can find me by my name, Karen Liesching-Schroder.

If you are not on social media platforms you can email me:

karen_l_l_s@yahoo.co.uk

My book is available through York Bookstore and Amazon in paperback, and on Amazon Kindle, kobo and iTunes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1919564500 

My Silver Linings: A Memoir to Head and Neck Cancer and Late Effects with Friends