Not for Profit
Elaine Kirsch Edsall, who died in January 2021, aged 65, and her beloved horse, Bruce.
Published: August 14, 2022 | Updated: 15th August 2022
A book written by a former hospice patient is gaining glowing reviews since its publication.
‘A Horse, A Husband and Cancer’ was written by Wimborne resident Elaine Kirsch Edsall.
It’s a candid, thought-provoking but humorous and often irreverent account of her life covering 30 years of fighting and surviving cancer until her death.
She died in Poole’s Forest Holme Hospice in January last year, aged 65.
Described as “not a book about horses, nor a book about husbands and certainly not a book solely about cancer”, Elaine’s remarkable story nevertheless encompasses all three aspects as she tries to make sense of the path her life had taken and where it ultimately was going to lead.
Elaine was encouraged and supported by a friend and husband Mark to publish the book.
She discovered her love for writing and also began to write a blog, from which the book gets its title, a short time before her death.
Mark has continued the blog to this day as he wanted her readers to know of her strength and bravery to the end despite the odds she faced.
The first 13 of these blogs were subsequently included in the book.
Mark, pictured left with Elaine, said: “Elaine was my wife for the last 25 years and six days of her life, in all we were together for some 30 years.
“One year into our (then illicit) relationship she discovered the first cancer.
“Little did we realise then that it was going to be a recurring theme for the rest of her life, neither did we know the extent of the struggle to come or the battlefield our lives were to turn into.”
The book has proved a big critical success gaining 100 per cent five-star reviews on Amazon.
Readers have described it as “a brave, hilarious, touching and authentic piece of writing” and “a captivating memoir”.
A review from America said: “Elaine Kirsh Edsall is a wonderful writer and her husband Mark’s eloquent contribution adds a poignant continuation to this beautiful memoir.”
Mark said: “Her deep-seated and dark sense of humour, her even deeper love for me and for her friends and horses helped her to prevail, against the odds, for so long.
“She was bruised and battered in mind, spirit and body so many times, yet a two fingered salute was all the ground she would give to the cancer.”
Mark is now hoping that publicity for the book will help and inspire others who are facing their own challenges in life.
He said: “This isn’t some sort of self-help book for those suffering from cancer nor another set of pages condoning positive thinking and affirmations to overcome despair and fear.
“Armaments for Elaine’s battle consisted of more than just the medical procedures and treatments she had to endure.
“She dug deep within to find her allies and always refused any hint of sympathy from others.
“If you have an interest in horses, husbands or cancer there is something here for you to chew over; but if you want to hear of the unrelenting human spirit even knowing the fight is unwinnable, then read on, there is a feast before you.”
