Saddled by a medical dictionary’s worth of medical woes, Buck refuses to be defeated by her infirmities. The fact that the book Dirty Laundry exists, is a testimony to her grit and perseverance, not to mention, her considerable poetic gifts. While much of the work in the book deals with illness, either directly or tangentially, this is not a depressing or glum book but, rather, one that celebrates life in its fullness and limitations. There is joy and humor here, as well as, suffering and regret, but this too, is the stuff of life.