November 15, 2021

S2 Ep3: Learning to heal - incurable cancer

59 minutes

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

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Find us:

Twitter: @guildofhealth

Facebook: @GuildofHealth

Instagram: @GuildofHealth

Website: gohealth.org.uk

Music: Return by Lane King from Upbeat Music

Podcast produced in-house by the GoHealth team.

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By Guild of Health and St Raphael