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Me and My
Shadow: From the Brink of Despair to a
Beacon of Hope, Book Chronicles Remarkable Cancer Journey
Written by John Walker Pattison, ‘Me and My
Shadow’ is as awe-
inspiring as it is unbelievable. Diagnosed with cancer at a
young age, the
author was told he wouldn’t live to see his hair turn grey. Defying those
odds, the author is now not only a survivor, but a grandfather. In this
gripping memoir, Pattison shares his extraordinary battle with cancer,
how he found solace in spirituality and space rock and the journey to
becoming one of the UK’s longest surviving cancer patients.
Email:
authorpattison@gmail.com
UNITED KINGDOM –
In his compelling memoir,
‘Me and My Shadow’, author John Walker Pattison offers an
unflinching and engaging look at his journey with cancer.
Beginning at age 18, when most young adults are embarking on
new and exciting adventures, Pattison found himself on a
drastically different path - one marked by uncertainty, fear
and what doctors told his family would be a
death sentence.
The memoir takes the
reader through the tumultuous years of Pattison’s youth,
marked by aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy
treatments that tested the limits of his endurance, to a
staggering blow that he never saw coming - the
heart-wrenching moment when his daughter was diagnosed with
terminal leukaemia, and like her father, defied the odds.
A rare glimpse into
the emotional and physical trials of cancer
‘Me and My Shadow’ is filled with raw honesty and is a true
testament to Pattison’s life-long commitment to helping
others fighting
similar battles.
Synopsis:
Me and My Shadow
– memoirs of a
cancer survivor, is a brutally honest account of one
teenager’s
struggle to understand and deal with the most feared
diagnosis known to society: cancer.
At 18 years of age, John Walker Pattison was
thrust onto a roller coaster
ride of emotional turbulence - his innocence cruelly stripped from him;
his fate woven into the tapestry of life.
After years of failed chemotherapy and
radiotherapy treatments that
ravaged his physical frame and almost destroyed his psychological
stability – his parents were told that he would not survive. Yet, today,
he is one of the longest surviving cancer patients in the
UK.
Eight years after his unexpected recovery,
the news that all parents fear,
his daughter is diagnosed with terminal leukaemia. Yet like
her father,
she too would defy the odds and go on to become an
international swimmer.
Pattison turned his life full circle and
became a cancer nurse specialist at
the same hospital that made his diagnosis decades earlier.
He prescribes chemotherapy and cares for individuals with
the same
cancers experienced by both him and his daughter.
Throughout his journey, Pattison's
inspirations were the space rock
legends, Hawkwind. He would get to play on stage with his heroes at the
Donnington Festival in 2007.
More significantly, he found solace
throughout his cancer journey in the
history and spirituality of the Lakota Sioux Nation. In 2018, he would
spend time on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with the indigenous people
of South Dakota. The same people who, unknowingly, supported him
through life's greatest challenge: cancer.
“In writing this memoir, I wanted to delve
deep into the realities of
facing cancer at a young age, and how that shifts your perspective
permanently,” says Pattison.
Continuing, “I found strength and resilience
within myself,
but also from the most unexpected of places.
Of course, my family - who remain true bastions of support
but also from space rockers Hawkwind and spiritual leaders
like the
indigenous people of Lakota Sioux Nation in South Dakota.
It’s quite an eclectic group of supporters and cheerleaders,
but cancer has a way of uncovering what truly matters and
crystallizing
life’s deepest meanings. I’ve been overwhelmed with the responses to
the book and believe that if it helps even one person on a cancer
journey, it will have been worth it.”
‘Me and My Shadow’ has earned glowing reviews
from readers.
A small sampling of their praise is below:
“I found this a wonderfully honest and brave
account of the story of childhood, adulthood, cancer,
survivorship and fate. Thoroughly enjoyable and didn't
really want the account to end. John's story really captures
how life can be shaped by experiences, whether good or
challenging and gives a first hand account of navigating a
life journey through the lens of survivorship.” - Amazon
Reviewer
“A memoir of triumph over adversity. This is
{John’s} tale and it is absorbing. His determination and
positive thinking are an example to us all. Well worth a
read.” - Amazon Reviewer
“Never thought I’d go on a sunny holiday and
still spend 3 days indoors reading this remarkable book.
John’s account of his highs and lows battling
his cancer treatment and corresponding inner thoughts
throughout his ordeal were truly riveting and inspirational.
A truly great and humbling understanding of his life’s
journey. Highly recommended.” - Amazon Reviewer
‘Me and My Shadow’ is available now:
https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/me-and-my-shadow
For more information about John, including his other books,
visit:
http://strangetrips.net
About the author:
John Walker Pattison was born in the wonderful seaside town
of South Shields 66 years ago. He is a dedicated Newcastle
United supporter since 1969 when he took his first steps
through the clackerty clack of the turnstiles at St James
Park.
The crucial hinge in John’s life is his
beautiful wife, June. “Nothing is
more important than family,” says John.
He retired from his post as a senior clinical
cancer nurse specialist and
head of service in haematology at his local hospital, partially due to his
chronic illnesses as a consequence of the salubrious chemotherapy and
radiotherapy he received decades ago - the same hospital that
established his cancer diagnosis almost 50 years ago; it was then, that
his parents were told that he would not survive, yet here he is today,
humbled to be one of the longest cancer survivors in the UK.
He has written dozens of articles for
national and international nursing
and medical press - presented lectures the length and breadth of the
country on many aspects of haematology and cancer management.
He is honoured to have won numerous awards both locally and
nationally for his work in haematology. However, Pattison knows that
being one of the longest cancer survivors is his greatest achievement.
John Walker Pattison recently completed his
memoirs,
‘Me, and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor’
achieving a third place position in the New York Book Fair
awards 2023.
In addition, following the completion of his
memoirs and in retirement
he is now focusing on children’s
fiction. John declares,
“I have always been an elasticated Grandpa
– relaying exaggerated stories
to my grandchildren for many years.” These unbelievable tales are now
the basis for his children’s books.
Today, John is once again battling cancer and
all as a consequence of the
salubrious chemotherapy he received almost half a century ago.
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