A teenager in the 1970s, Gwen is stuck in a tuberculosis sanatorium with only her journal and the odd cigarette to keep her sane. Her twisted sense of humour helps her deal with invasive medical procedures, oversensitive friends, and dictatorial nurses, but nothing can spring her from prison. Gwen is haunted by the dark and violent turn her life took prior to getting sick. With her family shattered, Gwen is fighting hard--with all the stubbornness and humour she can muster--not to be shattered too.