This is the episode we never wanted to make. Battling cancer was the fight of Jo's life, but on July 25, she died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after staving off stage 4 cancer for more than two years. Determined to the last, she as

Bonus Episode

Dec 15th, 2022 42m 24s

In this special bonus episode, Jo and Colleen talk to two people who have become key to Jo's wellbeing since her diagnosis: her oncologist, Dr Chris Jackson, and Marie Wales, supportive care manager for the Cancer Society in Otago and Southland

Future

Nov 20th, 2022 22m 1s

In the final episode, Jo talks about how hard it is to face the future. With characteristic humour, she reveals how she chose her own embalmer - and why she might officiate her own funeral. She concludes by telling Colleen that cancer might hav

Relationships

Nov 20th, 2022 40m 37s

Cancer doesn't only take a toll on people with the disease, but their nearest and dearest too. Jo discusses the ripple effects on the most important people in her life, including the impact on intimacy with her partner. She also tells Colleen a

Chemotherapy

Nov 20th, 2022 31m 53s

Jo explains how she makes herself comfortable during chemotherapy and why she likes talking to other patients. She tells Colleen about the cost, both financial and physical, of travelling hours to her appointments. She busts myths about hair lo

Treatment

Nov 20th, 2022 38m 49s

Meeting her oncologist for the first time, Jo received two pieces of shocking news: her cancer was incurable and the huge cost of life-extending drugs. She tells Colleen about adjusting to a new routine dictated by treatment, learning to accept

Surgery

Nov 20th, 2022 36m

In the aftermath of surgery to remove a tumour “like a big wedge of pizza”, Jo was faced with difficult conversations: what to tell her kids and the choice between public and private healthcare. She also discovered the power of hope and humour.

Diagnosis

Nov 20th, 2022 44m 57s

Jo explains her motivation for making this podcast, recalls becoming fast friends with Colleen and shares the first part of her cancer story. The aspiring ultra-marathon runner discusses the gradual deterioration of her health, her fight for a

Trailer

Nov 8th, 2022 39s

Jo McKenzie-McLean’s life was turned upside down after a stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis. In this candid podcast, the mother-of-two joins friend and fellow journalist Colleen O’Hanlon to explore life with an incurable illness. Through tears and

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