Karen Liesching-Schroder is an advocate for people with head and neck cancer, using her own lived experience of diagnosis, treatment and late effects to campaign for better support. Here she shares her motivation for putting pen to paper in her new book ‘My Silver Linings’ – out now.
My name is Karen Liesching-Schroder, and I’m a huge advocate for people with head and neck cancer. I believe it’s crucial to raise public awareness and let people know that there is a support network. It’s vital for patients and family members to connect and for charities to work together so that the late effects of this cancer can be recognised and supported as part of the cancer pathway.
Silver linings for Karen
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.
Head and neck cancer support
The book includes a guide, in simple terms, for patients and family members; and there is a lot of signposting to various support options, 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 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.
My book is available through York Bookstore and Amazon in paperback, and on Amazon Kindle, kobo and iTunes.