FEW operations are more daunting than surgery for mouth, head and neck cancer. It is long and complicated and leaves patients with many difficulties on the road to recovery.

Carol Dunstones surgeon told her: You can face the wall or turn round and face the future. She and her friend Ann Bennett opted for the latter and both survived triumphantly.

To help others along the way, these two inspirational women have revealed how they did it. They tackle difficult issues like feeding tubes, learning to talk again, dealing with scars and dry mouth and regaining their confidence.

The authors tell how medical experts set them on their journeys of recovery, what made them laugh and cry and how family and friends raised their spirits.

They suggest where to find professional comfort and advice and list mainstream and complementary practitioners who can help you look and feel better.

Their sense of fun and joie de vivre comes out in their Recipes chapter with dozens of delicious dishes for those with eating difficulties.

Anyone facing an operation for mouth, head and neck cancer or having to cope with a recovering relative, will feel a lot more optimistic after reading Carol and Anns wise and witty words.