Surviving Survival - Navigating the Breast Cancer Maze
October 18, 2013
Hosted by Grace Gawler
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Episode Description
Surviving survival is this week’s theme. Discussion around search for the cure has dominated breast cancer fundraisers; however as diagnostic techniques have improved and surgical & anti-cancer drugs have become more sophisticated; patients are living longer with significant issues; either physical or psychological. Surviving Survival is now a prolonged stage in the life of many women who have had breast cancer. Two key areas are; the void that is created when all treatment stops,& the gap between monitoring visits to the specialist doctor widens; a by-product of life challenging illness; the what if phase. As well, with patients living longer; women often have impaired life quality & declining wellbeing after breast cancer. Life has caused many of us to join the scar clan. The wounds are often unseen. Surviving Survival involves the need to become an alchemist, transforming the threat of losing our life, to helping us find our life! https://gracegawlerinstitute.com/women-of-silence/
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.
