"We are all going to die one day", yet it can feel awkward to speak about this truth. It can be even harder when you or the person you speak to have a life limiting illness such as cancer.

In this episode we talk about the language used to speak about terminal illness and death. We talk about our language likes and dislikes and the worst and kindest things people have said to us.

We don't tell you what to say because each person will have their own way they prefer to talk about their experience. Instead we encourage everybody keep talking about life and death because that is how we make connections with each other... and good relationships matter A LOT when a person lives with terminal cancer.

Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out!

Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black

Editing: Mark Keeling

Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern

Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com

In recognition of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness day (13th October 2024), we're sharing voice notes sent between us following a frustrating and distressing phone call trying to organise insurance.

Our podcasts always focus on how we try to remain realistically optimistic in living a cancer life. This 'pod call' was recorded immediately after Heidi's experience of dealing with a sales representative. It is an acknowledgement that because of our illness we experience powerless and frustration. We can't always 'laugh in the face' of difficulty but as Mand says, we can find ways to feel empowered.

Callers: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black

Editing: Mark Keeling

When you are told you have cancer, dealing with it can't happen soon enough, right?

Being a cancer patient requires patience... oodles of patience, which takes as much mental energy as the actual treatment itself.

This episode focuses on the processes involved in cancer care from screening, to diagnosis, and treatment. We talk about how we manage the practical and emotional aspects of being a patient and we acknowledge the positive relationships we have with our health care team may not be the experience every cancer patient has.


Topics:

• Forgiving ourselves for not realising the early symptoms of cancer and what tumours look and feel like in reality.
• Getting the balance right between cancer treatment and medication to deal with the side effects is not always easy.
• Our experiences of health services before and after our cancer diagnosis.
• How we juggle self advocacy and being 'the patient'.
• What is involved in a cycle of treatment.
• Managing the stress and anxiety when waiting for scan results (also known as 'scanxiety').
• The impact of cancer care on families.

Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out!

Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black

Editing: Mark Keeling

Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern

Contact us on: ⁠laughbeforedeath@gmail.com

Being generally optimistic, and some might say a bit daft, has stood us in good stead for living with metastatic breast cancer. In this episode we talk about how humour and laughing helps us manage the difficulties of living with a terminal illness. And in answer to the title... Yes, of course it is!

Topics:

• What 'lines of treatment' means in the metastatic cancer world.
• ​How humour helped us through difficulties news and facing up to the prospect of our 'untimely' death.

• ​A word on social roles and intentionally not living up to what what 'society' might expect of people with a chronic illness.
• ​The health benefits of laughing.
• ​The risks of uncontrollable laughing (just joking!)
• ​Reasons we want people to experience happiness and joy.

Disclaimer: This podcast is about life and death, with regular swearing and humour. The content is about our experience; we do not speak for everybody in the community. We do not give medical advice so if in doubt, check it out!

Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black

Editing: Mark Keeling

Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern

Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com

Speaking about death and dying is something most people avoid or delay as long as possible. We can't avoid because living with metastatic cancer means we regularly face up to the thought of dying. That said, it does not have to be a sad or boring conversation. Instead it can be a way to prepare and tolerate the process of dying before our time.

This episode will focus on:

• We are checking our emotional and mental well-being
• Chemo therapy can cause 'neuropathy' (aka nerve damage or 'tootsie tingles').

• We talk about the 'living and dying' conversations are already taking place
• What did we think about death before our diagnosis of cancer (if thought about at all)?
• There is no such thing as a stupid question but some comments can be daft!
• We spend some time imagining the end and planning for funerals. We even discuss having a last party before we die and how to be 'super compostable'.
• and finally we talk about how to be an ally to people with cancer although 'hugging' is optional.

Contact https://dancingforhealth.org.uk/ for more information about accessible dance groups.

Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black

Editing: Mark Keeling

Music: Mark Keeling and Darren Scothern

Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com

This is the pilot episode: an exploration of the themes in our podcast. You will hear about:

• Metastatic cancer (AKA incurable or terminal cancer),
• the impact of illness on relationships,
• cancer's status in society,
• how life as we knew it changed,
• and it gives you a chance to think about how to be an ally to people with the disease.

Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black

Editing: Mark Keeling

Music: Mark Keeling & Darren Scothern

Contact us on: laughbeforedeath@gmail.com