Living With Incurable Cancer: Caroline Catlin On Time, Grief, & Mortality

Grief Out Loud

What does it mean to live with an incurable illness while navigating grief, time, and the complexity of human connection? In this episode of Grief Out Loud, we sit down with Caroline Catlin—writer, artist, and grief care worker—to explore her experience of living with an incurable brain cancer diagnosis.

Caroline shares how her relationship with cancer has evolved over the past six years, from the early days of fighting for a diagnosis to the ongoing reality of regular scans and the uncertainty of what’s next. She speaks candidly about anticipatory grief, the way mortality shapes her daily life, and how her work in end-of-life photography and peer grief support informs her perspective on loss.

We also discuss:

• The impact of a life-altering diagnosis on friendships and relationships

• How people can better support those living with illness

• The intersection of living with illness and supporting grieving children

• The unique grief of knowing time is limited—and learning to live within it

Caroline also shares about her grief writing workshops, her creative process, and how gardening has become a grounding practice for her.

Connect with Caroline:

• Website: carolinecatlin.com

• Instagram: @mybodyofwater

• Grief writing workshops: Sliding scale, open to all

For more resources and to connect with Grief Out Loud, visit Dougy Center.