Practical and compassionate guidance on palliative care, end-of-life planning, legacy writing, VAD, memory-making, funeral wishes, and the things we hope people remember.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about death. Not in a poetic way. Not in a philosophical, “circle of life” kind of way. Just in the very real, brutally practical sense that it could happen sooner than I’d like. But here’s the thing, I don’t fear death itself. Not really. What I fear is […]
I Don’t Fear Death – I Fear What Happens to the People I Love Read More »
There’s something about putting pen to paper that makes things real. And when you’re living with cancer, especially incurable cancer, the idea of writing messages for your loved ones to read after you’re gone suddenly becomes more than just sentimental. It’s a way of trying to bottle part of yourself. To say things that matter.
Legacy Letters: Writing Messages for Loved Ones Read More »
When you first hear the word “palliative,” it hits hard. For a lot of people, it sounds like code for “you’re dying” or “there’s nothing more we can do.” And to be honest, when I first saw it written on one of my own medical documents, that my treatment plan was considered palliative, I felt
What Does “Palliative” Really Mean? It’s Not Just End-of-Life Read More »
You die twice: once when your heart stops, and again when they stop saying your name. I heard that saying a while ago, and it stuck with me. Not because it’s poetic, but because it’s true. There’s the physical death, the one everyone sees. And then there’s the slow fading, when your stories aren’t told
You Die Twice: Once When Your Heart Stops, And Again When They Stop Saying Your Name Read More »
Facing advanced bowel cancer is incredibly confronting. For some, despite every available treatment, the disease may progress to a point where options become limited and the focus shifts entirely to comfort and dignity. In these moments, some patients begin to explore voluntary assisted dying (VAD) as a deeply personal and compassionate option. VAD is now
Understanding Voluntary Assisted Dying: A Compassionate Option in Advanced Bowel Cancer Read More »
A bowel cancer diagnosis, especially early-onset, often leads to some of life’s biggest and most profound questions. One of those is legacy. How will we be remembered? What impact will we leave behind? While this can be a heavy subject, it can also be incredibly empowering. Thinking about legacy isn’t just about the end of
Creating a Legacy: Meaningful Ways to Be Remembered Read More »
Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t hate the whole “battle” or “fight” language around cancer. Not completely. I know some people do, and I totally respect that. But for me? It’s absolutely felt like a fight. Chemo is a fight. Surgery is a fight. Turning up to scans, sitting through appointments, making impossible choices,
I Won’t Lose My Battle With Cancer. At Worst, It’s a Draw Read More »
Hearing the words “palliative care” can be confronting. For many people diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer, it brings up fear, sadness, or the assumption that there are no treatment options left. But palliative care is about so much more than end-of-life care. It’s a specialised, holistic approach to improving quality of life, at any stage
Understanding Palliative Care: A Guide for Australians with Bowel Cancer Read More »
When facing the reality of an advanced or incurable bowel cancer diagnosis, it can feel like the world shifts beneath your feet. The future that once felt predictable becomes clouded by uncertainty. While no one is truly prepared to face the end of life, having honest conversations and making practical plans can help you take
Facing the End: Honest Conversations and Practical Planning Read More »
There’s something deeply unfair about how cancer tries to rewrite who you are. It doesn’t just affect your body. It creeps into your identity, your relationships, and the way people talk about you. And when you’re facing the possibility of death, it tries to take the final word too. But let’s get one thing straight:
Cancer Doesn’t Get to Own My Story Even in Death Read More »
