Learning to heal - incurable cancer

Season 2, Episode 3,   Nov 15, 2021, 04:00 PM

In this episode Gillian talks with Claire Foster-Gilbert, director of Westminster Abbey Institute, about her experience of living with Myeloma. 

  • Claire gives an overview of the work of Westminster Abbey Institute.
  • Claire describes how the Myeloma was found and the experience of diagnosis.
  • The detail of treatment is shared including the experience of having a stem cell transplant. 
  • How unhelpful the war metaphor is for someone with an incurable cancer.
  • Gillian and Claire discuss the complete act of faith it is to put trust in the medical process.
  • Claire shares some of the practices she found helpful during treatment.
  • Gillian and Claire discuss the helpful influence and insights of Julian of Norwich when going through suffering.
  • They discuss what the right thing to say is to someone living with cancer.
  • Claire shares how much she appreciates people praying for her.
  • Claire describes how writing is itself a healing experience.
  • They discuss the importance of humour.
  • Claire reads an incredible extract from her book about getting her hair shaved off.
  • Claire shares how her treatment is an ongoing Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Resurrection experience.
  • Claire finishes the podcast with a prayer she wrote at the beginning of lockdown and included in the end of her book.

Links:
Myeloma UK website
Miles to go before I sleep by Claire Foster-Gilbert
GoHealth community review of Claire's book
Caroline Chartres review of Claire's book on the Church Times website
Waiting well - the GoHealth Advent Journey
Join the GoHealth community

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Twitter: @guildofhealth
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Instagram: @GuildofHealth
Website: gohealth.org.uk

Music: Return by Lane King from Upbeat Music

Podcast produced in-house by the GoHealth team.