This is Gail

(Paperback)

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An inspiring story of one woman's journey through heartbreaking loss torenewal and new purpose.

In 2008, inspirational surgeonChris O'Brien published his bestselling memoir of his battle with brain cancer, NEVER SAY DIE. But he wasn't the only person in the O'Brien household with a powerful story to tell. Since Chris passed away in 2009, his wife Gail has gone on a journey of her own: from a busy surgeon's wife and mother of a picture-perfect family to a widow in her mid-50s, grieving not only her husband but also her son Adam, who died as a result of epilepsy a short time after Chris's death.

Yet in the midst of her grief, Gail discovered resolve and strength deep within herself. When Chris was alive, Gail was the woman behind the great man. But after his death, she stepped forward to make her own mark on the world. While coming to terms with both a public and private loss, Gail took on Chris's legacy as steward of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse cancer centre, navigating the often bruising politics of boards and committees to ensure his vision was realised. She also went back to work as a physio after being out of the workforce for20 years, while still holding her shattered family together. She reinvented herself and found that she could survive and even thrive in a world without her soul mate.

A moving, inspiring, deeply poignant and often joyous story of family, love and loss - and ultimately, about finding your purpose in the world.

Author Bio

Gail O' Brien, Chris's wife of many years, is a physiotherapist and the steward of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. She is a renowned public speaker and works for many charities. Juliette O' Brien is a law graduate, journalist, digital producer and first-time author. She gave the widely praised and moving eulogy at her father Chris O' Brien's funeral.