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'How a grim diagnosis transformed the life of one of Australia's top cancer specialists. It was a cruel twist of fate: in November 2006 Chris O'Brien, one of the country's leading head and neck cancer surgeons, was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive and almost inevitably lethal form of brain cancer. As he knew, few sufferers survive past 12 months. Nevertheless, he was determined to beat the odds. With the support of his close family, O'Brien took the option of radical brain surgery under the supervision of his friend, neurosurgeon Dr Charlie teo. As told here in this warm and lively memoir, he faced the terrible toll of cancer and its treatment with an uncommon grace. In June 2009, after living with cancer for two and a half years, Chris O'Brien passed away. to the end he was optimistic and generous, relaying his energies into fundraising for an integrated cancer centre, Lifehouse, at Royal Prince Alfred hospital. Honoured as an Officer in the Order of Australia, he was described by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as 'a truly exceptional Australian'.' (Publication summary)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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y
This Is Gail : Life with and After Chris O'Brien
Pymble
:
HarperCollins Australia
,
2016
9241969
2016
single work
autobiography
'An inspiring story of one woman's journey through heartbreaking loss to renewal and new purpose.
'In 2008, inspirational surgeon Chris O'Brien published his bestselling memoir of his battle with brain cancer, NEVER SAY DIE. But he wasn't the only person in the O'Brien household with a powerful story to tell. Since Chris passed away in 2009, his wife Gail has gone on a journey of her own: from a busy surgeon's wife and mother of a picture-perfect family to a widow in her mid-50s, grieving not only her husband but also her son Adam, who died as a result of epilepsy a short time after Chris's death.
'Yet in the midst of her grief, Gail discovered resolve and strength deep within herself. When Chris was alive, Gail was the woman behind the great man. But after his death, she stepped forward to make her own mark on the world. While coming to terms with both a public and private loss, Gail took on Chris's legacy as steward of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse cancer centre, navigating the often bruising politics of boards and committees to ensure his vision was realised. She also went back to work as a physio after being out of the workforce for 20 years, while still holding her shattered family together. She reinvented herself and found that she could survive and even thrive in a world without her soul mate.
'A moving, inspiring, deeply poignant and often joyous story of family, love and loss - and ultimately, about finding your purpose in the world.' (Publication summary)
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Mind over Medicine
2008
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8-9 November 2008; (p. 32)
— Review of Ian Gawler : The Dragon's Blessing 2008 single work biography ; Never Say Die 2008 single work autobiography -
At Ease with the 'Gift' of Cancer
2008
single work
column
— Appears in: Sunday Canberra Times , 28 September 2008; (p. 19)
-
Mind over Medicine
2008
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8-9 November 2008; (p. 32)
— Review of Ian Gawler : The Dragon's Blessing 2008 single work biography ; Never Say Die 2008 single work autobiography -
At Ease with the 'Gift' of Cancer
2008
single work
column
— Appears in: Sunday Canberra Times , 28 September 2008; (p. 19) -
y
This Is Gail : Life with and After Chris O'Brien
Pymble
:
HarperCollins Australia
,
2016
9241969
2016
single work
autobiography
'An inspiring story of one woman's journey through heartbreaking loss to renewal and new purpose.
'In 2008, inspirational surgeon Chris O'Brien published his bestselling memoir of his battle with brain cancer, NEVER SAY DIE. But he wasn't the only person in the O'Brien household with a powerful story to tell. Since Chris passed away in 2009, his wife Gail has gone on a journey of her own: from a busy surgeon's wife and mother of a picture-perfect family to a widow in her mid-50s, grieving not only her husband but also her son Adam, who died as a result of epilepsy a short time after Chris's death.
'Yet in the midst of her grief, Gail discovered resolve and strength deep within herself. When Chris was alive, Gail was the woman behind the great man. But after his death, she stepped forward to make her own mark on the world. While coming to terms with both a public and private loss, Gail took on Chris's legacy as steward of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse cancer centre, navigating the often bruising politics of boards and committees to ensure his vision was realised. She also went back to work as a physio after being out of the workforce for 20 years, while still holding her shattered family together. She reinvented herself and found that she could survive and even thrive in a world without her soul mate.
'A moving, inspiring, deeply poignant and often joyous story of family, love and loss - and ultimately, about finding your purpose in the world.' (Publication summary)
