Andrew McGuinness: Author of "Anatomised" - Sky News 01-08-2018
- 6 years ago
Eight years ago Andrew McGuinness began experiencing numbness across his body.
Over the next months and years, the Whitstable-based author lost the ability to read, write, and even walk, before doctors eventually diagnosed his condition as Lyme disease.
It was then, at the beginning of his two-and-a-half-year journey to recovery, that he began writing the novel he now believes saved his life.
"Anatomised" is the new book by Whitstable-based writer Andrew McGuinness which is inspired by the fight for his own life.
Anatomised tells the story of stand-up comic Jack and his wife, who move to Tankerton to build their dream home.
But their lives are thrown off track when Jack contracts a mysterious illness and his health begins to rapidly decline.
While the characters are fictional, the story is largely factual – based upon Andrew’s own experiences of Lyme’s crippling, yet ill-recognised symptoms.
Andrew’s battle against the disease began in May 2010, when he was admitted to the Kent and Canterbury hospital and was initially told he had had a stroke.
“I was only in my early forties,” said the former University of Kent student, “but I accepted it.
“Within a week, numbness was covering most of my body.
“It was very scary. I was rushed back to hospital, where they diagnosed a second stroke. I just thought ‘I’m going to die’.”
Andrew then received a series of misdiagnoses from doctors, who told him he could have multiple sclerosis or even a brain tumour.
“Lyme disease inflames your brain, and slows down your thought processes,” he said. “I lost the ability to read and write – and that was my love, my profession.
“For a while, I couldn’t walk. People may have seen me along Tankerton Slopes with a walking stick and my dog.
“It was so harrowing. And then I had to give the disease to my character Jack which is unfair, because I wouldn’t wish Lyme on anyone.
“I’m always apologising to him in my head.”
The 51-year-old writer lives in Kemp Road, Tankerton, with his wife Janice and two collies Bella and Alice.
“The sea, the beach, the beach huts and the Slopes in Tankerton inspired me and they feature in the story,” he explained.
“I’m influenced very significantly by local people, landmarks and the weather. I love living here.
“It was challenging to write the book as it was very difficult reliving some experiences. It took me four years. But the reviews have been very positive, and I’m overwhelmed by people’s kindness.
“It probably did save my life, writing this book.”
Had his illness been diagnosed sooner, Andrew’s recovery process could have been far more straightforward. He still takes strong painkillers to cope with nerve damage, caused by the disease that raged through his body for so long.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/whitstable/news/author-publishes-book-that-saved-his-life-182875/
Over the next months and years, the Whitstable-based author lost the ability to read, write, and even walk, before doctors eventually diagnosed his condition as Lyme disease.
It was then, at the beginning of his two-and-a-half-year journey to recovery, that he began writing the novel he now believes saved his life.
"Anatomised" is the new book by Whitstable-based writer Andrew McGuinness which is inspired by the fight for his own life.
Anatomised tells the story of stand-up comic Jack and his wife, who move to Tankerton to build their dream home.
But their lives are thrown off track when Jack contracts a mysterious illness and his health begins to rapidly decline.
While the characters are fictional, the story is largely factual – based upon Andrew’s own experiences of Lyme’s crippling, yet ill-recognised symptoms.
Andrew’s battle against the disease began in May 2010, when he was admitted to the Kent and Canterbury hospital and was initially told he had had a stroke.
“I was only in my early forties,” said the former University of Kent student, “but I accepted it.
“Within a week, numbness was covering most of my body.
“It was very scary. I was rushed back to hospital, where they diagnosed a second stroke. I just thought ‘I’m going to die’.”
Andrew then received a series of misdiagnoses from doctors, who told him he could have multiple sclerosis or even a brain tumour.
“Lyme disease inflames your brain, and slows down your thought processes,” he said. “I lost the ability to read and write – and that was my love, my profession.
“For a while, I couldn’t walk. People may have seen me along Tankerton Slopes with a walking stick and my dog.
“It was so harrowing. And then I had to give the disease to my character Jack which is unfair, because I wouldn’t wish Lyme on anyone.
“I’m always apologising to him in my head.”
The 51-year-old writer lives in Kemp Road, Tankerton, with his wife Janice and two collies Bella and Alice.
“The sea, the beach, the beach huts and the Slopes in Tankerton inspired me and they feature in the story,” he explained.
“I’m influenced very significantly by local people, landmarks and the weather. I love living here.
“It was challenging to write the book as it was very difficult reliving some experiences. It took me four years. But the reviews have been very positive, and I’m overwhelmed by people’s kindness.
“It probably did save my life, writing this book.”
Had his illness been diagnosed sooner, Andrew’s recovery process could have been far more straightforward. He still takes strong painkillers to cope with nerve damage, caused by the disease that raged through his body for so long.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/whitstable/news/author-publishes-book-that-saved-his-life-182875/