Mary Gunn, a doctor, mother, grandmother and wife, lived with cancer for 25 years. She worked in paediatric oncology (childhood cancer), as a hospital doctor in poverty-stricken Malawi and as a rural GP in Scotland. 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. During her subsequent 12 years living with cancer as a patient with a terminal prognosis and with unpredictable symptom flareups, she learned to manage her fear and live her life well and fully, from finding joy in her family life to fighting injustice and corruption through her writing. She also found her talent for inspiring and helping others by example and by sharing her story, until she died peacefully at home in 2022, surrounded by her family.
“[Well] will surely be helpful to anybody with a serious illness
or, indeed, anybody affected by chronic fear.”
*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*
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