A Bermudian woman has documented the struggles faced by her best friend who is living with cancer.

Pam Jones, who has lived in the United Kingdom for a year-and-a-half, first decided to write the book 'Navigating Across the Unpredictable C' ? a true story about the trials and triumphs of living with cancer ? last April.

The first-time author said the book is not a life story, but it instead details a series of events from finding the lump in her breast, to having a lumpectomy, rather than a mastectomy, remission, and then finding that the cancer had returned.

Ms Jones said fellow Bermudian Val, now 42 and also living in London, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.

But she said: "Since then, the cancer has spread to her neck, upper shoulder and chest areas, although she is currently having regular treatment and is doing fine.

"She hasn't come close to death. It was good up until about two years ago when she went in for a check-up and found that the cancer was back in her neck and shoulder area. And just recently Val was diagnosed with having cancer in her upper chest."

Ms Jones said the writing of the book came about after Val expressed that she wanted to help people by way of adopting a child.

But Ms Jones said: "I suggested that she tell her story instead, and after first telling me no, she thought about it and told me to go ahead and write the story.

"The book is essentially from the time when she was first diagnosed in 1998 to date. The book deals with a lot of the day-to-day things, but it is not a diary and doesn't include every single day.

"It is basically gives certain scenarios of different times in her experience. Some people 'diarise' every single day or event, but I didn't know I would be writing the book then.

Ms Jones said that Val has remained upbeat throughout her six-year-long challenging ordeal.

"She hasn't suffered from clinical depression, but she has obviously, as with anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, got stressed and yes she does have her moments," she said, "But I think on the whole she is doing pretty good and she is positive and stays focused most of the time. If she gets down she snaps out of it pretty quickly."

Before being diagnosed with cancer Ms Jones said Val had not suffered any major stress or trauma, she just discovered the lump and life, as she had known it had changed.

"She was just enjoying life like a regular person and I don't recall any particular stress," said Ms Jones.

The book touches on Val's emotional states throughout the years.

"It details some of her sad times, good times, happy times," said Ms Jones.

"She has been reading it, as I have been writing it and it has been very emotional for her, because it brings back a lot of memories.

"It takes her back six years ago and it is especially hard because she is still going through it. So it is difficult at times."

Ms Jones, who ceased writing another novel when she began writing thisbook, added that the reason she wrote the book was so that people would have some insight into what it means to live with cancer.

"I would like for them to obtain knowledge and have a better understanding of what people with cancer have to endure," she said.

The books will be available next week and can be purchased at the Bookmart, True Reflections, and the Christian Book Store. It is also available online from Longtail Administration Services by e-mailing them on longtailadminbtopenworld.com or by visiting their website at www.longtailadmin.com.

Between December 12 until 31 Ms Jones can be reached on 734-0312.

A book signing will take place at The Bookmart on December 18 from 12 to 2 p.m.

The book is 161 pages long and was published by Longtail Administration Services.