Art before death

Creativity is what makes us human, and art and crafting in this cancer world of lifelong treatment (and its side effects) makes us feel more humane. This episode is about what makes us want to 'make stuff', and the role of creativity in processing and ignoring the fact we live with incurable cancer. We also talk about letting go of the standards we set for ourselves and how this creates a wonderful freedom to 'just do'. We don't talk a lot about death but it is the undertone for this episode. Let's face it, we wouldn't have conversation about art if we didn't live with incurable cancer. So the usual rules apply: we talk about death and dying so you feel you can too. 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 BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark KeelingContact us on: [email protected]

It's been two years since we came up with the idea of talking (publicly) about living and dying with cancer. The podcast is still going, we are still going (!), and in this episode we're taking things a bit further by having photos taken professionally, while reflecting on the past two years of recording 'Laugh Before Death'. Hey look at us, multi-tasking!Ruth from Ruth Morelly Photography kindly included us in the 'social impact' strand of her photography business. You'll hear Ruth in this episode too and for more examples of her photography, we recommend you follow her on rmorellyphotography (Facebook) and rmorellyphotography_family (Instagram) or write to her directly on [email protected] 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 BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark KeelingContact us on: [email protected]

Death is part of life, yet the process of dying is not easily talked about. How many of us would talk about our own demise as a hypothetical 'event' rather than feeling and knowing it will happen? It is a tough ask to be in touch with the finality of oneself. There there are arguments that once we accept our life will come to an end it makes the lifelong process of dying a little easier to bear. Some people even find a renewed enjoyment of their lives once we accept the inevitable. In this episode, we're speaking with John Hopkins who is a 'life and death' coach and who has worked as a Soul Midwife. We talk about death and the process of dying, how to make our own death the best it can be for us, and what people's priorities are towards the end. Remember, we talk about death and dying so you feel you can too. 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 BlackContributor: John Hopkins (Substack link: ⁠https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios⁠Editing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark KeelingContact us on: [email protected]: John Hopkins (Substack link: https://open.substack.com/pub/hopkinsjohn?r=6wq3e4&utm_medium=ios

There's never a bad time to improve on your (healthy) habits but once you're given a terminal diagnosis it can be tempting just enjoy yourself. Life's too short for exercise, right?! In this episode, Mand and Heidi speak with Mel Brown (Level 4 'cancer & exercise' personal trainer) about the challenges, avoidance tactics, and benefits of functional exercise while being in active cancer treatment. Needless to say, although life might be short(er), living it to the best our abilities does require a certain level of fitness. No 'short cuts' to a good life and a good death, sadly. 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 BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark KeelingContact us on: [email protected]

This episode is about the role of storytelling as a way of making sense of illness, and generating hope for ourselves and others. Hope does not cure cancer but it makes cancer life more manageable. Heidi and Mand are in conversation with Kevin Donaghy (driving force behind Stories Of Cancer And Hope). We talk about hope and hopelessness, community spirit, and living a good life alongside terminal illness. 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 BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark KeelingContact us on: [email protected]

Once upon a time we were professionals and really good at our jobs... then we had to retire because of cancer. This episode focuses on early retirement due to ill health, the financial implications of metastatic cancer, and reflections on leaving the workforce before the typical retirement age. Link to the Marie Curie petition mentioned in the podcast: Marie Curie CampaignsDisclaimer: 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 BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark Keeling and Darren ScothernContact us on: [email protected]

In this episode we are on a road trip. In the spirit of 'death talk', we're visiting a local forest burial site to set the scene for our conversation about what we want to do with our remains when we die. Tune in to listen to our thoughts on burials, cremations, and the importance of normalising death (... you'll also catch bird song, wind rustling in treetops, and tea-slurping). 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. Neither do we give medical advice, so if in doubt, check it out!Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark Keeling and Darren ScothernContact us on: [email protected]

Surviving metastatic cancer for 10 years is an amazing feat but why does it feel wrong to celebrate it? Mand was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April 2015. This episode is about her thoughts on living with a terminal illness, how (and if!) to acknowledge her #Cancerversary, and reflections on lives cut short by cancer. Mand is our very own #CancerDinosaur and although she enjoys life, this milestone is giving us all pause for reflection. Maybe 'celebration' is too strong a word? Instead, let's acknowledge this fabulous lady who has lived through 10 years of cancer treatment.A quick disclaimer: the 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 BlackEditing: Mark KeelingMusic: Mark Keeling and Darren ScothernContact us on: [email protected]

Enough about us and our cancer! Let's hear how OUR illness affect others. Joking (and references to 'main character energy') aside, terminal illness has a way of making its mark on everybody. This is the first of a two part episode about the impact of cancer on families. In this episode, we introduce Helen (Mand's mum) and Marianne (Heidi's mum). Marianne and Helen share their experiences of navigating their parenting role under cancer circumstances, how they manage social expectations of others, and how they use their love to be a strength to us. Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling & Darren Scothern Contact us on: [email protected]

When there's cancer in the family, you need all the love and support you can get. Those of us who have sisters (and good sisters they are!) will appreciate that very special relationships. This is the second of a two part episode about the impact of cancer on families. In this episode, we hear from Bryony (Mand's sister) and Rikke (Heidi's twin sister). They might sound like us but they have their own mind and stance on sisterhood in the maelstrom of metastatic cancer lives. Presenters: Heidi Keeling & Mand Black Editing: Mark Keeling Music: Mark Keeling & Darren Scothern Contact us on: [email protected]