Medical Diaries

When American saxophonist and social activist Fred Ho was diagnosed with stage 3b colo-rectal cancer in 2006 he underwent immediate surgery to remove the tumor and began preparing for chemotherapy. Within days his friends mobilized to arrange grocery deliveries, transport, companionship, and housekeeping duties - they called themselves “Warriors for Fred”. Fred chose to write his astonishing cancer memoir as a diary, acknowledging that all the greatest warriors wrote daily diaries.

With two young boys, a new lecturer position, and all the commitments of an active life, Ros Ben-Moshe had no plans for a tumor to take over her life. Yet after the news came on her 43rd birthday, medical appointments turned into hours of surgery, casual conversations disappeared, and even her children started asking questions. In recovery rooms, as the clock slowly ticks, Ros Ben-Moshe starts writing. Through ups and downs, she tells it all, in an honest account of fighting the Big C, or should we say the small c?

Wenn Metin nach Feierabend mal wieder an seine Kühlschranktür klopft, weiß er, dass an diesem Tag sehr viele Patient*innen nach ihm gerufen haben – Er ist Krankenpfleger durch und durch, und ohne diese Leidenschaft geht das in seinen Augen auch gar nicht. Denn das kaputtgesparte Gesundheitssystem, der stressige Klinikalltag und die mangelnde Wertschätzung machen seinen Job zu einer Herausforderung. Doch die Patient*innen stehen immer an erster Stelle und das Team hält zusammen.