‘Poetry helped me heal’

‘Seeing me writing gave my family comfort’

CAROL BREWER, 58, from Belper, Derbyshire says: ‘For years, I’ve written poems for my family and friends, but it was a fun hobby, something that allowed me to take time out from my job with Derbyshire Constabulary; I never imagined that it would become so important to me.

My symptoms began in 2013, with headaches and a tingle down my left side. My GP thought it was a trapped nerve in my neck, but it became much more serious when I couldn’t move my hand to use cutlery.

I was eventually diagnosed with atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, which caused a mini-stroke. The next three years were gruelling, involving intensive doses of steroids, chemotherapy and various operations, including brain surgery.

It was an emotionally challenging time. In need of an outlet, I started writing a bulletin to update my friends and family. I included a poem, on anything from the boredom of being in a hospital bed to my search for hope. Dragging myself to my desk brought a sense of achievement and happiness on even the darkest days. What’s more, seeing me writing brought comfort to my family.

Poetry has remained a big part of my life. During the first lockdown, I self-published a poetry book, Verses The Virus.

A donation from every sale goes to NHS Charities Together and Mental Health UK. I’m so thrilled to know that my poetry can now help others, too.’

Verses The Virus

(£5.99) is available at Amazon,

Waterstones and pencilpoised.com