Wool-Gathering with The Wolf

Unexpectedly diagnosed with lymphoma Lina finds herself, for the first time ever, as an inpatient in a southeast London Hospital. She anticipates the worst, having heard the usual woe about the current NHS. Instead, she meets and array or quirky, interesting patients and a multicultural team or hard-working staff who wrap her in a cloak of care, validation, and warmth. This book of her funny, but poignant short stories take the reader through her first chemo treatment and her three weeks stay in hospital. A very readable and engaging book. Lina is an inspiration with her optimistic attitude towards her surroundings and her positive efforts to connect with the diverse characters she meets -both staff and patients. She empathetic and clever, a keen observer of people and a born raconteur. The reader very quickly finds they start to care for the characters she writes about. With an uplifting and cheerful outlook, her emotional enlightening glimpse of her treatment also celebrates the diversity of the NHS and London. This book hones in on a curious, other world of both strength and vulnerability with stories of folk getting by with humanity, humility, and humour. An upbeat, inspiring read that leaves the reader wanting more.