Hi everyone! We are joining Comedy Plus’ Awww….Mondays and Book Date’s It’s Monday What are YOU Reading?
Today I want to tell you about a very special book written by a friend in England.
- Disclosure: I received a free copy of For Such a Time As This as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
Pauline Dewberry has been editor of a website and newsletter titled, The Daily Mews for a long time. I have been a follower since 2014 when I discovered it. Back in 2006 , The Daily Mews had already been online for years when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. At the time, she was only in her mid 50’s.
This book is all about her journey from sickness back to health with the help of her kitties. Sadly, one of her beloved cats, Garfield was in poor health and had to be put down right after her diagnosis. As I was reading this, I found myself in awe of her positive attitude despite all the treatments and isolation she had to go through to recover. I truly believe a positive attitude and good sense of humor aid in healing and Pauline is a perfect example of this.
Pauline was fortunate to have a brother who was a match so she could get a stem cell treatment. And also fortunate that he was willing to donate because it was no simple thing for him to do. Her book includes all the icky parts of treatments including the side awful side effects of chemo like losing hair and constantly vomiting. She also writes about how many nurses were too busy to take the time to care because they are overworked. She also had some unkind roommates at the hospital. Despite all the negatives, she managed to keep her positive outlook. In addition to her cats, she also had two sons and their families as well as a lot of friends to help her through.
Another plus was getting to return home to her kitties between treatments. And they all recognized her despite smelling like a hospital and having no hair. They gathered round and purred. I also believe a cat’s purr can heal and this is clear in her story. Pauline is an amazing woman who has even shaved her head to raise money for cancer research. I highly recommend this book to all cat lovers and to anyone who needs an uplifting read or loves a happy ending.
If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free, click here. You can also purchase the Kindle version for only $2.99, well worth it for 294 pages.
That would be a pawsome gift for anyone having chemo that loves cats…back in the day…even me:)
Yes, it would make a great gift. I hope you had kitties when you were going through chemo. XO
Yes, the very young at that time, Pipo & Minko, and a 4-5 year old MJF…since I had to walk MJF, and care for the cats, that was also a good incentive for me to not languish…they kept me going:)
I sure do miss those two now angels…
I am sure they were good to help you heal. They were both sweet, I can see why you miss them. XO
That sounds a lovely and inspiring book. It makes me happy when I hear of people who have overcome a potentially terminal illness.
It is very inspiring. XO
Our kitties can get us through some really bad times. This sounds like one of the many messages that were in this book. I can personally say that Angel Sammy stuck to me like glue when I was having cancer treatment – he just KNEW and comforted me every day. Sounds like an amazing story in the book.
Hugs, Pam
I am glad you had Sammy to help you through. XO
Sounds like a good book Ellen.
It is.
Excellent book review, Ellen. I know for a fact that our kitties help us to recover from mental and physical challenges.
Thank you. 🙂 Cats are the best. XO
This sounds like such a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome. XO
Sounds like such a heartwarming read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it! I’ll have to check it out.
It is. I highly recommend it. XO
She sounds amazing! Best wishes, my dear.
SHe is. Best wishes to you too. XO
I have had the same experience with our kitties helping me after surgeries! Cheers!
Cats are great nurses. XO
That really does sound like a good one!
It is. 🙂
That cat book looks looks like a good read. I’m reading choices right now that my Angel Tigger stars in an episode in Chapter 7. It’s clean and suggest you read it.
I would love to read that- what is the name of it?
It sounds like a great book, and I have bookmarked The Daily Mews. Cats are the best healers!
It is. I agree about cats. 🙂
That sounds like an amazing story, thanks for bringing this book to our attention!
You’re welcome 🙂
That sounds like a great book, Ellen, I’m going to look into it. I remember reading The Daily Mews in the past, I’m going to check it out again. XO
Yes, you should. XO
What a lovely and inspiring book. You did a great review. I love a happy ending.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week, Ellen. Scritches to all the kitties. ♥
Thank you. XO
What a touchin’ story Miss Ellen! Miss Pauline iss one tuff lady! Wee send **purrss** an purrayerss to her…
Wee are sad ’bout her Garfield. Wee hope THE reemainin catss will take guud care of Miss Pauline…
**purrss** BellaDharma
Thank you. 🙂 ALl those cats have gone to The Bridge , but she has 2 others now. XO
Oh poor Miss Pauline…butt ahvin 2 mew catss iss a guud thing rite?? LadyMew sayss havin a kitty iss like havin a Hu’man child….shee takess her ‘sponsibilty furry seereuslee mee can tell you!
Hope you an all THE Kittiess are well there….
I agree with your mum. I am the same way. XO
Thanks for telling us about this book. Mom says it sounds like a wonderful read.
Hope you have a good week.
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Thank you. 🙂 It is. XO
Sounds like an amazing book and a inspiring woman. And the power of kitties.
It is. Yes, kitties are the best. XO
I’ll have to put this on my reading list. It sounds very special.
It is. 🙂
This sounds like such an inspirational book. Great review.
Thank you. 🙂
Wow. Right now, i need some wow, this sounds like a great one.
It is. 🙂
What a sweet and beautiful kitty and books sounds wonderful ^_^
Live each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thank you. 🙂 XO
Miss Ellen yore an amazin Cat Meowmy!!!
Aww..thank you. Your mum is too. XO
LadyMew gotted all teery-eyed when shee red yore commint. Shee sayss you are furry kind…mee thinkss so too Miss Ellen!
Your mum is most kind too. XO
Yore BOTH furry kind!!
**purrss** BellaDharma
Thank you. XO
What an inspiring read this must be. Thank you for sharing this with us!
You’re welcome. 🙂
Charlee: “Our Dada is still reading that ‘Infinite Jest’ book, and apparently will be for another month or so.”
Chaplin: “I hope he likes it, or else he sure is wasting a lot of time!”
I hope he likes it too. 🙂