Kiwi comedian Dai Henwood says he is "really proud" of writing his memoir, Life of Dai, which is about his early life and journey while undergoing treatment for stage four bowel cancer.
Henwood, who had regular appearances on comedy shows such as 7Days, Have You Been Paying Attention and Taskmaster, revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2020 and had been undergoing radiation treatment ever since.
He told Breakfast writing a book was something he "didn't think I'd ever have in me".
"Going into something that was so personal, for me, [there's] sort of an autobiographical part to it. With my early years as a comedian and then my cancer diagnosis and sort of how I'm trying to living positively through adversity.
"It's quite an undertaking and I'm very proud it's out now," he said.
He shared that during the collaborative writing of the book with Jaquie Brown he was undergoing "up to my 20th round of chemotherapy".
"It was pretty tough because I was feeling rubbish. I was bringing up going through three years, I've had six major surgeries and countless rounds of radiation, and since the book I've had six more rounds of chemo, I'm still managing to keep a smile on my face."
He said being told he had incurable cancer "was huge" for himself and his family.
"I look at myself as a classic car that I've just got to keep on the road with a bit of spot welding here and there until we come up with a way to beat this thing. Or when my body goes, 'come on, get outta here'.
"I really want this book to act as awareness for people, tips for people going through cancer or for loved ones who are going through cancer and also to show that you've got to live, now. I'm not dying with cancer, I'm living with cancer," he said.
Henwood said: "I've got bowel cancer, but it's only in my lungs and sort of, lymphs around my chest", adding that he feels "great" right now.
"I've got a few breathing things, I'll probably be doing radiation in a couple of weeks. But right now, I'm not in treatment, I've got a smile on my face and I'm so proud of this book."
Henwood said the book is available for preorder by visiting laughwithdai.com and will be out in major bookstores within the week.
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