Surviving Survival continued....Cancer Patients Self-Help, blogging and support
November 1, 2013
Hosted by Grace Gawler
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Episode Description
We are in a time of information overload for cancer patients. Turning to the internet and reliance on the stories of other patients is becoming the norm. For many patients, patient stories of recovery or the struggle to find the cure appear to have more impact and significance than medical information. Patients describe a mistrust of conventional medicine. Added to this, the high cost of healthcare means that patients are seeking advice about cancer solutions from their own genre – other cancer patients who are also navigating the maze. One can understand the need for bonding and sharing an experience – there are plusses and minuses. However, there can be serious consequences for patients as they try to emulate the experience of other patients. They can be unduly influenced in decision making by these stories. Everyone’s cancer journey is uniquely theirs - there is no one size fits all. The cancer blog is a relatively recent phenomena and it’s presence is highly influential and impacting the cancer journey. So-Let’s talk about it! More at www.gracegawlermedia.com
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.
