I am not an emotional man, which I find is really helpful with the work I do. But this week I was very close to tears when I heard the news that Clair Fisher had died! So many of my Cancer Community friends have died recently, most, relatively young. Covid or not, cancer is the real plague of our times, with more of us being affected than ever before. My sympathies are with the family and I want to assure them that my communications with Clair inspired me and everyone. We will all continue our work to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
Below is a post I wrote after being contacted by Clair who wanted to share her story whilst she could. It was titled ‘ Retiring And Preparing To Die At 41.’
This title is a strong one. But I am continually shocked at how many more younger people are being affected by cancer. I recently spoke to a young lady of 36 who has melanoma. Maybe this is a thing because I am getting older, but I don’t think so? Personally I know so many people under the age of 40 that have died from cancer. Quite truly shocking for our society! Will this be yet another thing that gets generally accepted by those running our cancer care?
When I was diagnosed at 51 in 2007, I was told I was young to get Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Now I know many people at least 10 years younger who have it. Before Covid, all organisations involved in cancer were aware that it kills approximately 450 people per day, and that 50% of us will be directly affected by the disease. But these are still just talked about as statistics not related to people and their lives! I want to know why anyone in the sector considers these figures acceptable? Maybe if they were put on the TV every month by the Prime Minister we would get something done?
I would like to thank Clair (@DyingWell_UK ) for sharing her own experience of ‘coming out’ publicly, with her terminal diagnosis of stage 4 bowel cancer. Highlighting the important part work has, and is still playing in her life.
“My first job was in the stock room of Freeman Hardy and Willis (a now defunct shoe retailer). I was 13 and had trawled round collecting application forms from all the shops in our town after school, completely on my own initiative. My motivation at the time was to get some money together for a pair of cherry red Doctor Martens. I have worked ever since. A variety of shop jobs through school and college, then various factory temp jobs and call centres saw me through my university years. I joined the Civil Service graduate scheme and then set up my own training and consultancy business.

I was working overseas in November 2018 when I first got sick. Making my apologies to my client, I was taken to hospital with severe abdominal pain, where I underwent emergency surgery and then was flown home to recover. I had a few weeks off, and then when I was ‘better’ I went back to work. Except I wasn’t really better. The diagnosis was stage 4 bowel cancer and this was just the beginning of a journey of palliative treatment that has so far included 3 major surgeries and 4 rounds of chemotherapy.
I don’t really think I ever made a decision about whether I would keep working or not. There were commitments in my diary and I just didn’t want to let people down, so I kept going. Only a very few people knew that I had cancer, and most of them I think presumed that the treatment would make me better. Because I run my own company and have control over my own diary I have been very fortunate in being able to plan work around my treatment. I pioneered remote working way before COVID made it cool, and my oncology team joke about how I come to all the meetings with my diary!
There are definitely times when I’ve pushed myself too far; continuing to commute when I felt so sick and tired with chemo, or struggling with my luggage after surgery. Managing a stoma in a corporate environment was also tough – disabled toilets normally locked and inaccessible to people that didn’t fit their steroptype of people who should have access. While I’ve sometimes been surprised by the kindness of strangers, I’ve also sadly found that people are pretty unsympathetic if you look like you should be fit and well.
But mostly my work has been a lifeline. There’s been a liberty in being in company with people who don’t know I’m sick. I’ve loved having intelligent conversations, feeling valued and appreciated. Being able to contribute something of value to others has been so important. Financially it’s also made sense for me to keep working, and I think my family have found it reassuring to see me doing normal things. At a very basic level it’s been helpful having things in the diary and a reason to get out of bed and move forward. Knowing I have a terminal illness has changed the way I prioritise the work that I do; I’ve enjoyed seeing projects through to completion and investing time in developing others.




So it is with some sadness and trepidation that I admit that I’m retiring in 2021. As a long time associate of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, I’ve begun a retirement project ‘Dying Well’ to explore Wellbeing in terminal illness. This world cancer day I will be supporting the Civil Service working through cancer network as they consider how best to support those living with terminal illness and encourage more Government Departments to sign up to the TUC ‘Dying to Work’ charter.
Being employed is a really key part of personal Wellbeing and it is often also the link to other things that really matter: our sense of purpose, financial security and personal relationships. We know that how we feel about our health is as important as how healthy we are; and so when our health forces us to make unwelcome decisions about work it can be really difficult to manage. I feel very lucky to have be able to continue to work as long as I wanted to. If you are looking for help in this area, I recommend the resources on the Marie Curie website. Clair Fisher www.dyingwell.uk dyingwell@gmail.com”
As always Clair was incredibly well organised to the end and I would urge you to read her final post, ‘Goodbye.’ I feel incredibly privileged to have spoken and worked with her, however briefly. Thank you for sharing some time with me!
Morning Chris, I’m so sorry to hear this. Our medical system should allow for screening of younger age groups – perhaps with kits sent through the post, the same as for those aged 60 & over (if this hasn’t stopped due to Covid!).
Condolences, Deb Xx
Hi Deb,
I agree with you Deb. We have learned so much in last few years. The main thing being that what we were doing before, is not effective to help the increasing numbers affected by cancer, across ALL age groups.
Like everything else since Covid, we must look at how cancer is treated in this country. There is plenty we can do , but I see no desire unfortunately. There now seems to be a general acceptance from the powers that be about the numbers of deaths.
This is why I will continue to bash away, for people like Clair and all of us affected by cancer.
Big love as always, Deb XXXX
May Clair’s beautiful soul rest in peace and I pray comfort, peace and courage for her family
Thank you so much Tochi XXX
Why don’t we put stats on the BBC news every day saying numbers dying of cancer today?
It really is a terrible mess Gerard. Whilst that continues to be the case so many are losing their lives daily to issues other than covid.
Thank you for your kindness, Chris
Thank you for sharing this post – Clair’s story although terribly sad, is brilliantly full of faith and hope and will resonate with many trying to live well with cancer. I wish I had known her earlier as I feel we would have had projects in common.
The volunteering work I do with my local hospice has very much increased and sometimes I find it is all consuming, both physically and more recently, emotionally draining. I would like to see more support offered to volunteers. For example, there is no supervision from hospice care for the bereavement volunteer team like you would find within the NHS or other charities like the samaritans or crisis volunteers. Monthly group meetings are not adequate supervision as therapists need support on a 1:1 basis from time to time.
I agree with Claire’s comment in your post, hospice care should be a part of palliative care support under NHS but as it stands with the already struggling service, It is impossible to even visualise that idea as a feasible option.
We battle on because we are passionate about living well with cancer but the odds are stacking higher and higher against us every week. Referrals are coming in faster now from cancer charities and from hospice care. As a cancer patient myself I will have to remember to focus on my own wellbeing so I can deal with the tragic circumstances of late diagnosis and premature deaths. It is not easy to balance this but I try to practice kindness to self as well as others and drop in to a brilliant mindfulness class each week, my life line right now. Go well and stay safe.
Thanks so much for your mail D, it is always lovely to hear from you. Yes, Clair was an incredible lady it was a real pleasure to talk with her and a privilege to be asked to share her story. She taught us all so much.
I’m so sorry to hear all the challenges you are meeting. Unfortunately this was always going to happen as resources close and capacity is reduced. I certainly agree with you re the subject of supervision. Yet another service to endure cuts etc.
It is always a tricky balance to ensure our own welfare, when there are so many people to help. But as you well know we must ensure we have fuel in our own tank before we can help others. I know that you above most are so aware of those issues.
Your support and advice is much appreciated as always.
Take care of yourself, Chris