Dimensions
200 x 133 x 27mm
On 29th January 2008, Philip Gould was told he had cancer. He was stoical and set about his treatment, determined to fight his illness. In the face of difficult decisions, he sought always to understand the disease and the various medical option available to him, supported by his wife Gail and their two daughters, Georgia and Grace.
In 2010, after two hard years of chemotherapy and surgery, the tests came up clear - Philip appeared to have won the battle. But his work as a key stategist for the Labour party took its toll and feeling ill six months later, he insisted on one extra, precautionary test, which told him that the cancer had returned. Thus began Philip's long, painful but ultimately optimistic journey towards death, during which time he began to appreciate and make sense of his life, his work and his relationships in a way he never though possible. He realised something that he had never heard articulated before: death need not be negative or painful, it can be life-affirming and revelatory.