Breast Cancer: No Laughing Matter
Anne Gildea "The Breast That Left"
Anne Gildea is a comedian and writer. She is 45 and single. Last March she revived her comedy trio The Nualas, relaunching on the Late Late Show and kick-starting a busy schedule of gigs for the year ahead. Four months into their tour Anne received devastating news – she was diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer and told she has to undergo immediate treatment.
Determined to keep the show on the road, Anne sets about juggling rehearsals and tour dates with chemotherapy and hospital appointments. She talks about her diagnosis on TV and radio, and writes humorous accounts of her treatment in her weekly column, displaying a remarkably up-beat attitude. But as her mastectomy approaches, Anne’s positivity wavers and she has to face the fact that there are some things she can’t cure with comedy. Confronted with her own mortality, Anne starts to question all aspects of her life. Having firmly believed that everything in life has comic potential Anne begins to wonder if some things in life are simply not funny at all.
Through a combination of uniquely intimate documentary footage and video-diaries shot over a period of six months Breast Cancer: No Laughing Matter takes the viewer on a courageous, sometimes absurdly funny and often heartbreaking journey. Anne’s irrepressible sense of humour, eccentric spirit and raw honesty make this documentary a must-watch on RTÉ Two this Spring.
Source: RTE
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Will this be a broadcast that will be recorded for those who can’t watch it live? Intrigued by the power of comedy/humor to heal mind, body and spirit, I’d love to see it. Anne seems to be wonderfully attuned to her circumstances. Kudos to her! XX
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There’s a reason for that saying ‘laughter is the best medicine.’ It doesn’t fix everything, but it means that you have an extra and powerful tool to place things in perspective. Laughing at cancer has definitely been one of my mainstays in keeping my sanity. xoxo
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I agree sometimes you just have to laugh the pain and feelings away. Thank Goodness for humour……
I hope you stop by my blog….Not sure why I didn’t come across yours sooner….
Take Care…Love Alli…xx
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I never heard of this comic before, but I think it’s great that she can persist with such energy and raw humor. Like Kathi says, “Laughter is the best medicine.” It can’t cure this woman’s disease, but she can still enjoy light moments.
I love this posting!
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Well done to you Anne. Hopefully sharing your experiences of breast cancer will help others
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I admire anyone who can come up with their own unique way to deal with a cancer diagnosis and it looks like Ann Gildea has done just that! Laughter can sometimes get us a long way and help others at the same time. Sarcasm and raw honesty can as well. Good for her! Hope I can see this some time.
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I found the documentary excellent I can relate to everything she is going through. It gives me strength and encouragement to keep going Sometimes you feel you are the only one this is happening to so thanks for sharing all your fears I,m not alone.
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Thanks to all of you for your comments. I watched the documentary and it was a true and accurate portrayal of what it is like to be diagnosed with breast cancer and go through treatment. I hope those watching also realize that this is not the end of the story – in many ways Anne’s story is only just beginning – now comes the time of healing, integrating the experience of cancer into her life and finding a way to move forward. As many of us know from our own experience, this part of the journey can be difficult and there is not as much support or understanding of it – would you agree?
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been following anne’s story in the mail on sunday – great to see her doing so well in the documentary
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