How Grace, Grit and Gratitude led to Navigating the cancer maze
October 19, 2012
Hosted by Grace Gawler
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
Grace, Grit and Gratitude-A remarkable life journey: Based on my memoir; this episode delves into the beginning of my work with cancer patients. My initiation into working with cancer patients began when I became carer at 21 years of age for my boyfriend who was diagnosed with bone cancer. This experience turned my life around and my desired career in veterinary science to cancer medicine. In the early 90's we created Australia’s first cancer support groups and the work expanded. We were gifted with four children during those years. In 1994 I published my first book Women of Silence–the emotional healing of breast cancer. In 1997 a cascade of life changing events; divorce and a complication from a routine surgical procedure led me to Holland where I had a world first experimental bionic surgery. After 21 surgeries I returned to my work with a patient’s wisdom better able to help patients Navigate the Cancer Maze. Thanks to Olivia Newton John for permissions to use Grace & Gratitude.
Navigating the Cancer Maze
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Navigating the Cancer Maze aims to share time-proven strategies in a “Let’s talk about it” atmosphere with the aim of making the journey through cancer more easeful through knowledge. The program is solutions focused for patients at all stages of cancer. Acknowledging and dealing with fear and trauma surrounding cancer is essential for any Health Restoration Plan as is pre-planning for any setbacks that are likely to be met along the way. Although we hear a lot about cancer in the news, for many patients cancer remains a personal, silent and deeply unexpressed grief. It is important to acknowledge the reality of a cancer diagnosis, while being authentic about process and keeping possibilities open. The best outcomes are experienced when the best of conventional medicine is paired with the best of complementary supported by an empowered patient.
Grace Gawler
For almost 4 decades Grace Gawler has been the “rock” for thousands of cancer patients who seek her guidance and strategies. Grace has also assisted those who struggle to manage adversity and uninvited changes that life challenging or life threatening illness can bring. At 21, Grace became a full-time care-giver to her boyfriend. She married him, a cancer amputee with a poor prognosis. He survived and they established a non-profit organization to support people going through the trauma of cancer and other life challenging illness. She created Australia’s first breast cancer support group and residential program which led to authoring Women of Silence: the emotional healing of breast cancer, a 1994 best seller which remains a bible for women with breast cancer. Grace has worked in Government creating a new Women’s Health Plan. She was awarded the prestigious inaugural Rotary International Jean Harris Award for Services to Women in Society. In 1997, Grace experienced not only the collapse of her marriage but was soon hospitalized. Complications from a routine surgery created a major health crisis. After 20 surgical procedures over 13 years, she faced death many times. A bionic surgical procedure in the Netherlands gave her back life and vitality. Grace has survived and thrived and is passionate about helping others to walk in the field of all possibilities and navigate the cancer maze. She has her own cancer charity and consults to Hallwang Private Oncology Clinic in Germany.
