Living with uncertainty – living a great life with an uncertain future.

Event Topic: Living with uncertainty – living a great life with an uncertain future.

This webinar explores the challenging topics of coping with the uncertainty and living well when faced with brain cancer. Prof Kate Drummond (neurosurgeon) will be joined by panel members Dr Oliver Holmes (clinical psychologist), A/Prof Alex Holmes (consultant psychiatrist), and David Glenister (spiritual and pastoral carer). Together they will share their expertise, perspectives, and practical strategies on:

• managing anxiety
• balancing hope for new treatments with accepting likely outcomes
• making the most of the time and building a good life despite a prognosis
• emotional and spiritual supports are available to find meaning, connection and peace.

Our panel will also do their best to answer YOUR questions submitted on this topic.

About our host and panel members:

• Professor Kate Drummond is a neurosurgeon and Director of Neurosurgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Kate also leads the team that developed Brain Tumours Online.
• David Glenister is the Manager of Spiritual and Pastoral care at Royal Melbourne Hospital (13 years in May!). In this role he coordinates referrals for Anger/Frustration, Fear/Uncertainty, Meditation/Relaxation, New Diagnosis or change in disease status, Sadness/grief, End of Life and Bereavement support, Spiritual/Religious/faith needs. When not at work, David enjoys bushwalking in the Dandenongs, and painting (pictures not fences!)
• Associate Professor Alex Holmes is Head of consultation-liaison psychiatry at Royal Melbourne Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne. His clinical work and research has focussed on the psychiatric sequelae of physical illness, including serious physical injury, pain, multiple sclerosis and brain tumours.
• Dr Oliver Holmes is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, where he has worked since 2018. He supports cancer patients, families, and clinical staff, drawing on existential–humanist thinking alongside practical, evidence-based approaches. His focus is on meaning, agency, grief, and adjustment, helping people to navigate difficult conversations and uncertain ground. He also holds a small private practice.

Please note: these webinars are for education purposes only and should not be taken as individual medical advice. Consult with your healthcare team to find out what approach is best for you.