Genevieve Fox is an accomplished journalist with a full life – a doting husband, two sons and a thriving career, not to mention her army of devoted friends. She refers to herself as “Gwyneth Paltrow’s worst nightmare” because she doesn’t “wear Lycra in public, drink liquidised kale or shy away from sugar as from something diabolic”.
So when she discovers a lump in her neck, her aggravating anxiety about it takes her by surprise. Her life is too enriched for her to afford a terminal illness, so when neck and head cancer are diagnosed, in quick succession, she is devastated.
What follows is a double narrative about how she grapples with the terrifying reality of the disease while keeping her humour, and sanity, intact. She chronicles the progression of her cancer, interspersing it with glimpses of her strange and lonely life growing up as an orphan.
Cancer memoirs have garnered a niche audience for themselves in the past couple of years, with Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air and Jenny Diski's In Gratitude becoming recent bestsellers.
This genre seems to have struck a chord with readers because it is as unsparing as it is enlightening. Human beings have always been preoccupied with the subject of death and books like these offer a visceral insight into the complex relationship between life and mortality.
Fox narrates with infectious vivacity so, while the book can be occasionally hard to read, the writing is tinged with the irrepressible zest. Fox had an unconventional childhood, which seems to be adapted straight out of a Victorian novel. We discover that when she was 9, cancer killed her mother. This was only a few years after her father suffered a fatal heart attack, which forced the family to return from the United States to England.
Faced with strict adults and a terrible boarding school, Fox still considers America her home at some level and cannot let go of the image of her American life as a picture-perfect postcard of her brief but golden nuclear family.
Her experience with cancer propels her into remembering her childhood – she distinctly recalls being marred by her mother’s brush.
“My sister and I quickly became a two-girl get-well industry,” she writes.
Her fear is that her boys might be feeling the same level of trepidation and constant fear of loss that held her down in her childhood. The death of Fox's mother marks the long, treacherous beginning of a precarious life as an orphan. This realisation first strikes her when her grandmother takes her clammy hand after breaking the news to the family.
“That was my first taste of my new state: being hostage to the whims of adults,” she writes.
Her mother entrusted the care of Fox and her siblings to her 27-year-old stepson, a travelling journalist who means well but makes some questionable choices. One of those was placing an ad in a magazine for someone to look after "Three Recently Orphaned Children".
His decisions set the siblings off on a carousel of bizarre childcare arrangements, including a brief stay at their father’s first wife’s home – a Sussex vicarage.
Fox takes us on an intimate journey through what she calls “Planet Cancer”, from diagnosis to recovery.
She is put through the wringer with her roster of treatment that includes an enervating round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She lives on a liquid diet of milkshakes and morphine after her treatment, which her son recommended would make a great title for the book.What really stands out is her charming candour, laced with dazzling wit, even when she is crippled with self-doubt and pain.
Literature also serves as an anchor through some of the more challenging times of her illness.
She finds her grief and loss reflected in poetry, which she tries to pass on to her children. She also reflects on how orphans, from Harry Potter to Oliver Twist and Batman, are portrayed in literature.
She shrewdly notes how writers have been using orphans as a literary device, who are either portending ill or portraying perfect agents of change with a neat character trajectory.
While she tries to keep the overall tone light-hearted, some of her reflections are profound and heart rending.
When she tells one of her first few friends about her diagnosis, she describes “the heart’s hollow that being motherless creates, how the grief lodges beneath your skin, how the loneliness and the longing are the air that you breathe and that sometimes, when the longing is so intense that you want to say, please, no, I’ve had enough, just bring her back, you feel as though you are suffocating”.
One of her greatest fears is her boys growing up motherless. Having experienced the emotional and mental havoc as a child growing up parentless, her fears for her own children have a lucid poignancy.
An engaging storyteller, Fox never misses a moment to interject details of her illness with well-timed, wry commentary, like when she ponders whether she should go the cheery Miranda Hart way or the Round Robin to break the news of her cancer to friends.
When she is asked to consider her treatment plan by specialists, she weighs up her options. She can either opt for the risky “send in the chemical and radiation hit squads” as recommended, or search for an alternative regime consisting of “mistletoe injections, biodynamic carrot juice, fever therapy ... organic enemas and pins for sticking into a voodoo doll made of sugar. And then I die”.
While she occasionally derides alternative therapies, she also notes how cancer makes you so needy you crave positive thinking, and even the most cynical among us will resort to alternative healers so as to leave no stone unturned.
Cancer is an epidemic of our era, and this endearing, life-affirming book is the perfect handbook on how to cope with the illness.
Most cancer memoirs are about the profundity and philosophical epiphanies that people have been struck by after having cancer diagnosed. This book avoids all that as Fox regularly reprimands herself for being self-pitying or egocentric.
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Read more:
Book review: Finely crafted characters and curiosities define Jim Crace’s 'The Melody'
Book review: Turning for Home by Barney Norris filled with tender and plangent observation
Book review: Writing as catharsis, how Amy Tan untangled the knots of her past
__________________
Hilarious lists are one way she gives herself a reality check. She tries to list the things she has taught her boys, and makes another one about how to behave at parties when you have cancer, including the handy “give the terminally dull short shrift”.
She regularly reminds herself that having cancer does not mean becoming a more enlightened and nicer version of herself.
While this book is never downright depressing, the only time it gets gruelling is when her trouble with eating and talking begins. She unflinchingly divulges the difficulties that eating and talking pose.
Milkshakes and Morphine is a compelling and intimate portrayal of an excruciating illness. What we can learn from Fox is that when life throws you a curveball, all you need is a buoyant attitude for life and a sense of humour to combat it.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Cagliari v AC Milan (6pm)
Lazio v Napoli (9pm)
Inter Milan v Atalanta (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Sampdoria v Brescia (6pm)
Fiorentina v SPAL (6pm)
Torino v Bologna (6pm)
Verona v Genoa (9pm)
Roma V Juventus (11.45pm)
Parma v Lecce (11.45pm)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Medicus AI
Started: 2016
Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh
Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai
Sector: Health Tech
Staff: 119
Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ
Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700
Engine 3.0L V6
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 340hp @ 6,000pm
Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km
