Back in April, I posted something here about the unexpected depilatory effects of chemotherapy, and asked readers if they thought there was a place for the personal in the Prospect blog. More generally, I asked, what makes writing about illness interesting to others?

The response was encouraging, both on the comments board and in private messages. To sum up, people appreciate having a clear description of things that don’t usually get noticed – sheer reporting from the cell face – and a level of analysis that can connect the particular to the general.

I started scoping out some themes right away for a series of postings, but got distracted by treatment and other major life difficulties. Now I am back. The aim is to find a language to talk about the body that is neither personal nor impersonal. It’s about a particular experience, but not ‘my story’ in narrative. That old literary form, the personal essay, delivered by blog.

The first in the series will focus on blood: how the composition of what is flowing through our veins can affect the mind, and our existence generally.

Others will look at being a patient; the way one learns to assess risk and mortality; and the impact of serious illness on our relations with other people.

Any feedback on these themes, or indeed others that you think I should consider, is very welcome.