In your final months of living would you dedicate time to recording down your thoughts, feelings and perspective so others could benefit from it? Rhonda Bjelan did.
Incurable is a real time journey after being given a diagnosis of incurable cancer. A 12 part podcast of a mother and sons exploration of what you go through in the last months of life. Raw, honest and designed to help others understand this period in an individual and families life.
It is for those who might be about to go through something similar, for friends and family to understand and for the simply curious. Incurable explores what it means to die, to live and to see what happens to belief & trust in God during a terminal cancer journey.
Join Rhonda Bjelan and her son Clayton as they share what it means to be given the word 'Incurable'.
In this Bonus episode of Incurable - we'll hear the special message that Rhonda asked Clayton to give at her Celebration Service. (This is a snapshot taken out of the Celebration Service - so if you listened to episode 12 you would have already heard this).
Whether this is your first or second listen - we hope you are encouraged, inspired and even challenged.
If you want to find out more about accepting Jesus into your life or to hear other stories & to share yours (whether of cancer, grief, life or faith), connect to the incurable podcast group at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
12 Jul 2021
The Celebration (Service)
In this final episode of Incurable you get to hear the entire Celebration Service of Rhonda’s life (minus the singing – that didn’t record very well).
Hear more of Rhonda's story, reflections from her kids, in-laws and grandkids. And there is a special message/words of encouragement for each of us, that in the final weeks of her life, Rhonda asked Clayton to give (1:11:26).
We hope and pray that as you have been on this journey with Rhonda & Clayton – that this service may be a healing, a guide, a resolution or an inspiration for you.
In order, you hear: Tim - Introduction (Pastor at the church), Joshua - Eulogy (Rhonda’s son), Bronco - Bible Readings (Rhonda’s husband), Clayton - reflections, Mandy - reflections (Rhonda’s daughter-in-law & Clayton's wife), Tari – reflections on behalf of Grandkids (Family friend), Charlotte/MacKenzie/Austin – what they love about Grandma (Grandkids), Josh – reflections, Miriam – prayer (Family friend), Clayton – message/words of encouragement, Tim - closing prayer
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
9 Jul 2021
BONUS: 'Things' & Funeral Preparations
In this 5 minute bonus episode we hear in real time what it means to plan a funeral in the days after someone’s passing. And Clayton talks through the first time some 'thing' connects you to the someone who you have lost.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
5 Jul 2021
I Love You… to the end (89-92 days since diagnosis)
In the final days of the podcast Clayton shares the moments of regret, love, despair and peace. You will hear Clayton talking about the physical and emotional ups and downs of supporting his own family while also trying to be with Rhonda in her final moments.
Plus we hear what Clayton has described as “one of the most special moments of my life” in this episode.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours (plus find the photo mentioned in this episode) at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com) (sfx credit: zapsplat.com)
28 Jun 2021
Delirium, talking to myself (84-88 days since diagnosis)
In this episode you will hear (and experience) the deep sadness of Clayton realising Rhonda won’t be able to record or talk on the podcast again.
This episode also describes what it means to see death slowly creeping in on someone you love. As well as the emotions of having to make the call to have a loved one move to palliative care.
It discusses what it means to wipe each others tears away. Plus the process and emotions of deciding when the grandkids will come in to hospital to see their Grandma for the final time.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com) (sfx credit: zapsplat.com)
21 Jun 2021
Can Faith and Doubt with Jesus exist? (81 days since diagnosis)
A deep dive into the aspects of faith and healing. If you doubt – does it mean you can't get healed by God?
Rhonda and Clayton talk about their different feelings & experiences in these moments around doubt, trust and healing from God. And Rhonda shares how she doesn’t have the peace so many talk about before death.
Plus, what does it mean to have friends around? What is different about close friendships during these times?
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
14 Jun 2021
God is Going to Heal Me (79 days since diagnosis)
As Rhonda's voice gets weaker with the cancer taking more of a hold - this episode is all about the understanding of the closeness of death and the opportunity God has (if he wishes) to heal.
Rhonda is more hopeful than she has been recently. This discussion of healing has been the topic around the family for the last few days. And so it has become the focus of this episode too. It also covers how family members are approaching this period in different ways.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories, share yours and support each other at incurablepodcast.com
7 Jun 2021
Telling Kids about Cancer (77 days since diagnosis)
3 big areas covered in this episode: the potential for God to do a miracle, the reality of imminent death and having to tell kids about cancer.
Rhonda & Clayton chat through how they are approaching praying for a miracle differently. They look at the positive & negative implications on members of the family when telling the grandkids about cancer (we also hear how the grandkids reacted to the news). And Rhonda reflects on what she has learnt about herself in the past ten weeks.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com) (that website is also where you will find the photo mentioned in this episode)
31 May 2021
Is there Purpose to Death? (75 days since diagnosis)
What purpose does Rhonda’s impending death have? What is the best ‘value’ to put on death? This episode we also find out why Rhonda hates the fact people will say, ‘At least she is not in pain anymore’, after she dies. And why the phrase, ‘life goes on’, hurts so much. Plus, preparation to tell the grandkids about cancer begins.
We also hear how Rhonda’s panic attacks are now a metaphor for her cancer situation. Plus a bonus extra ‘off-mic’ moment that captures some of the deep emotions of ‘life going on’ around a terminal cancer patient.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
24 May 2021
The day it became REALLY real (74 days since diagnosis)
After around 2 months in hospital - Rhonda manages to get home for just one week before she is given the news that she now only has weeks to live.
With her liver moving into critical condition, this episode covers the family’s reaction to the news that time has suddenly got very short. How does that make them feel and act with the knowledge of so little time left together?
Rhonda answers the question: are you scared of death? Plus she discuss with Clayton how those around the individual need to balance splitting their time with family and work.
And this episode finishes on a story of Rhonda’s ultimate revenge on healthcare staff that weren’t too nice!
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
17 May 2021
Identity: Why it matters when you are dying … and living (60 days since diagnosis)
How does going through cancer change your identity? How does it change you as the person? How about other family members?
Is there a better way to understand our identity and how we process? And what does it mean to be a third child in regards to identity when dealing with life & death.
In this episode, Rhonda and Clayton also talk about the impact from decades of NOT dealing with grief.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear others stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com) (sfx credit: zapsplat.com)
10 May 2021
Processing cancer, life & death (60 days since diagnosis)
Why is processing cancer (or anything difficult) so hard? Why do we resist processing the big things in life straight away?
Rhonda and Clayton explore their tentativeness to process the incurable cancer diagnosis and why. What stage of ‘grief’ are they in?
They also talk about living with the decision of stopping certain treatments to allow different treatments to happen – and the consequences of those decisions (both good and bad). And what control do cancer patients really have?
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear others stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
3 May 2021
That OTHER Word (32 days since diagnosis)
Could there be a worse word than cancer or incurable?
We discover the word that Rhonda hates in the midst of incurable cancer.
Hear from her about making the most of each moment despite her diagnosis. And this episode helps us understand who Rhonda is … things like family, faith, connecting to people, her sensitivity and art. And how she takes part in MMA!
We also hear more about who Clayton is… things like radio, family, laughter and faith.
Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com (http://www.incurablepodcast.com)
1 May 2021
THAT Word (32 days since diagnosis)
This first episode introduces the concept of a family dealing with the words ‘Incurable cancer’. Rhonda and Clayton ask each other to react to that news. And they start exploring the difference between thinking through this news and feeling the news.
Their conversation includes discussion on how the individual processes versus how family members process it. And it answers the question, (right in the moment) - would you rather be told it was incurable cancer or just cancer?
This episode was recorded in Rhonda’s hospital room and starts with the unexpected circumstances that led to the cancer diagnosis. Connect to the incurable podcast group to hear other stories and share yours at incurablepodcast.com
14 Apr 2021
Incurable - Coming May 1st
In your final months of living would you dedicate time to recording down your thoughts, feelings and perspective so others could benefit from it? Rhonda Bjelan did.
Coming May 1st is the new podcast, Incurable.
Incurable is a real time journey after being given a diagnosis of incurable cancer. It is a mother and sons exploration of what you go through in the last months of life, Raw, honest and designed to help others understand this period in someone (and their families) life.
It is for those who might be about to go through something similar, for friends and family to understand and for the simply curious. Incurable explores what it means to die, to live and asks what happens to belief & trust in God during a terminal cancer journey.
Join Rhonda Bjelan and her son Clayton as they share what it means to be given the word 'Incurable'.
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