The Cancer Finishing School: Lessons in Laughter, Love and Resilience

by Peter Goldsworthy

‘My first stray cancer is a gift. I’m lucky to have it. What priceless material for a doctor-writer.’

What lessons might cancer teach him before it finishes him off? Peter Goldsworthy asks, obliquely.

A GP of forty years’ practice, as well as one of Australia’s most awarded and celebrated writers, Goldsworthy (‘Doctor Pete’ to his patients) brings his characteristic black humour and storytelling power to the tale of his own cancer journey.

Accidentally diagnosed after a scan of his dicky knee, he was thrown into a world that he knew only too well from the other a world that soon shrank to hospital visits, sleepless and hyped-up nights on dexamethasone and life-saving chemotherapy.

Never one to waste a story, Peter intersperses his own experience with odd and astonishing case stories of patients and literary friends who have trodden the same both cautionary tales and exemplary tales, sometimes laugh-out-loud, sometimes deeply moving, that intersect with, or refract, his own travels through denial, acceptance, treatment and survival.

Darkly funny, and filled with growing love and wonder, The Cancer Finishing School offers lessons in how to live life in the shadow of an incurable illness.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Health, Audiobook, Death, Medicine

335 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Peter Goldsworthy grew up in various Australian country towns, finishing his schooling in Darwin. After graduating in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 1974, he worked for many years in alcohol and drug rehabiiltation. Since then, he has divided his time equally between writing and general practice. He has won major literary awards across a range of genres: poetry, short story, the novel, in opera, and most recently in theatre.

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of this book has blood cancer and lives in Adelaide. So do I. There is so much familiarity, I know the hospital (Battlestar RAH -so apt) and restaurants and cafes he mentions. At first I thought we shared the same haematologist, but no. I'm pleased there is more than one female haematologist in the city.

Peter expressed so well the intensity of living you feel after a diagnosis. I was jealous though, that because of his profession as a GP he could understand his treatment, and discuss blood results etc with his haematologist on an even level. But how can you be jealous of anyone with cancer? As he eloquently states, it is always unfair. "Luck, like shit, happens. It's neither earned or deserved - the bad as well as the good."

I have a much better understanding from this book about why I hated the dexamethasone infusions so much and that my feeling that I have aged tenfold in the last two years is justified.

My favourite parts of the book were the funny stories of his patients and I agree fully that a sense of humour really is a superpower.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very personal story of a cancer experience by a man who, as he admits, has lived a very privileged life. While he says many times that he recognises this, a deep understanding of the inequalities in the world, including in Australia, was missing.

Three things that annoyed me. First, his statement that 'quibbling over what drugs to take, to accept, for your cancer seems a bit - what? Spoilt? Decadent? Entitled? Another first world problem, at any rate.' (p. 247) Most oncologists seek to balance benefits of treatment with side-effects, which can be severe, and every patient responds differently to different drugs or drug combinations. Every patient has the right - the 'entitlement' - to decide whether the side effects of certain drugs reduce their quality of life so much that they decide to say no to that drug.

Second, the view that 'Breast cancer is now largely curable' (p. 205) has been responsible, at least in part, for the failure of Australian Governments to even measure, until very recently, the number of breast cancer patients with metastatic disease and to devote sufficient research funds to reducing the deaths. Around 30% of all breast cancer patients will develop metastatic disease, which is incurable, sooner or later.

Third, Dr Goldsworthy was lucky to experience 'bliss' and lots of energy from dexamethasone. This is not the experience of all cancer patients. Some people experience insomnia and extreme fatigue, depression, aggression, mood swings, weight gain, etc. As a doctor, I expected he would recognise this.

Of course, he has shown resilience and courage, like most people with a life-threatening illness, and he has been lucky in having a lot of support and a sound financial position, which not all people have.

[chris stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

patience is a wonderful thing

I loved the gentle humility in this book .it has been a delight and e lighting read,well done Peter and Lisa

[Ian Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CANCER FINISHING SCHOOL by Peter Goldsworthy
Where to start? Where’s it finish? Peter Goldsworthy writes books. Peter Goldsworthy likes football. Peter Goldsworthy writes librettos for operas…oh, and in his spare time, for 40 years, he was a doctor and, still is, to a lesser degree. Just how he manages his time is beyond me.
This highly intellectual person also has a devilish sense of humour which is spread liberally throughout this volume.
However, there’s a problem. It’s called myeloma and it’s a type of cancer with a death sentence. Until recently, 1-2 years was all you had to look forward to and Peter has it. Apart from lots of friends, his second wife Lisa is an absolute gem, so support is not wanting, especially from Noemi, a doctor friend of his who is extremely knowledgeable about cancer.
It must be said here that the book takes diversions, regularly, in particular delving into some of his priceless history with certain patients. Another diversion is his regular quoting of authors he has read. Actually, are there any he hasn’t read? From Darwin to Dickens, Shopenhauer, Oscar Wilde; throw in a few Greek scholars and a Roman quote or two and rattle off composers; it seems they all get a mention.
The range of his knowledge and experiences appears endless and he has the freedom here to express them, in particular the modern Greek poet Cavafy, whose deep and meaningful poem “Ithaka” contains the profound thought “It’s the journey, not the arrival, that gives our lives meaning”, which is exactly what he’s going through right now.
The drudgery and mind numbing drugs of the treatment are fully dealt with, especially in the closing chapters which will leave you hanging, simply because there is no full stop and modern treatments, some in the experimental stage, are keeping him going, until his next book.
An entertaining read across a broad spectrum of issues.

[Ali Bama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter records his cancer journey, and scatters many patient anecdotes throughout. A note I made early on: 'Unsure why he found Clara's story (within first few chapters) so funny. Coercion/pressure to have sex is a serious thing. She was obviously distraught and he just thought the whole thing funny. Nearly stopped reading but will continue for now.'
Happy to have continued reading as it was an interesting collection of thoughts and stories on the whole. Though I was surprised that GPs etc commonly use patient concerns as entertaining stories at dinner parties etc.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm I don’t like the narrator of this book, with his dad jokes and jokey GP persona. It’s much like the last book I read which associates a book with a part of life and relations but this one was so full of the male
canon and cliched takeaways. Writing a book about having cancer needs some special tools and this one just did nothing for me.

[Jan Schmid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in this book, because I hoped to learn about how to deal with cancer - to be better prepared, in case I develop cancer at some stage in the future.

I never knew having cancer could be so very enjoyable! But is it really, I kept wondering.

In any event, having taken this possibility on board, I got increasingly bored with all the meandering, and references to (boasting of) the author’s cultural and literary exploits. I looked up the author’s biography, and, finding him still alive, there would obviously no lessons to be learned about coming to grips with cancer’s final stages.


So I decided I had had enough about half way through the audiobook - if it had been a book, I don’t think I would have made it past the first 60 pages.

[Annette Chidzey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having first read about this publication in The Age on a recent Saturday morning, I found myself strangely drawn to purchasing and reading it.
Having completed it, I can conclude that some sections were very compelling while others were less engaging. I suspect this is because I am reading this through the lens of someone who has important relationships with individuals close to them who are travelling uncertain health pathways and for whom there are no guarantees about how these challenges will be resolved. Yet as this author alleges, “ death frames our world —- and for the lucky, like me, who get to see it coming, it offers a prism through which all the wonders of life can be seen and felt with heightened intensity.” An insight I plan to try and remember regularly.

[Louise Wigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read insight into the impact of cancer and its treatment on the body, the psyche, day to day activites, and relationships.

[Kelly Woolerton]

I think it's mean to rate someone's book based on their personal experience of Cancer, so im not gonna do that. But what i say is that this particular experience didn't resonate with me.

DNF pg 128.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An endearing read. I’m not sure how this big, baggy pathography induced some envy in me, but it did. Parodoxical, quite. It’s just that we’re all going to die, and Goldsworthy has clearly lived well - and goes on living well, thanks to his self-acknowledged privilege. And he’s not afraid to revel in this knowledge as he stares down the barrel of life-limiting illness. He gives a fairly acerbic appraisal of his shortcomings too, some of which are hilarious (the faux pas with Joan Didion was my favourite). ‘Crimes of hubris’, indeed. And his care for his friends and patients (whom he regards as extended family)is quite touching, even while he acknowledges his writerly greed for material.

I didn’t always like him, but he managed to make his cancer entertaining, thanks to a cast of Mesopotamian tyrants and some very cute-sounding grandchildren. And that’s quite a feat.

These days, I’m the type that eats a honey sandwich alone on the jetty on Christmas day. So it wasn’t easy reading the life of a social butterfly. But for all his gratitude-that-verged-on-the-flaunting-of-privilege, he somewhat redeemed himself in my eyes with these sentences:
“Stoicism… is easier said than done. Not all temperaments are capable of it, and for those who have endured more than any human should have to endure, it can be impossible - but most of us can aspire to it.”

Goldsworthy lives in my rather boring hometown of Adelaide, which I relocated to myself a few years back. His appreciation for the simple things, like local cafes and mildly amusing anecdotes, expanded my sense of what’s possible here. And I picked up lots of new writers and titles to read too.
And finally worth mentioning is his beautiful opening poem, ‘Tomorrow’. This is one I know I’ll come back to again and again.

[Jenny Esots · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is full of febrile dexamethasone confessions and reflections from multitalented author Peter Goldsworthy prompted by his cancer diagnosis.
As a medical practitioner for over forty years he has plenty of life experiences to draw from and inside knowledge on his particular form of cancer of the plasma - Multiple Myeloma (MM).
This memoir brings together the threads of those who have shared a cancer journey including fellow writers. There is his longtime friend Paul Blackburn who passes away while he is writing his memoir and a patient he recalls misdiagnosing and gives a late diagnosis of MM.
I particularly like reading about his connections with other writers, family and artists. It is also a look into Adelaide places and happenings such as Adelaide Writers Week.
Peter Goldsworthy has had cause to go through his files, revising notes and people he had not thought of in decades. He has been forced to have this reckoning into his own mortality, but ultimately the pleasure is there for the reader as he weaves his meditations through waiting rooms, art galleries, family meals and onwards. He references what inspires him and sometimes a reading list, such as 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius.
The book slows right down in the last few chapters, a year passes with nothing of note said. It seems his passion for reflection is overtaken by a life less documented.
A ripping read up until those last chapters where he is not quite sure how to end the book.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Goldsworthy is now nearly 74 years old and apparently still alive, in spite of multiple myeloma, diagnosed some seven years ago. I read this book because his article 'On futures passed' appeared in the recent (and very last) issue of the U Adelaide magazine Lumen. I was captivated by his poem 'Tomorrow' that accompanied the article and is also in this book.
Goldsworthy's narrative of his cancer treatment is interesting and edifying, not least due to its setting in my home city (town?), and specifically in the 'new' Royal Adelaide Hospital (open now for eight years - doesn't time fly).
By reading this book, I learned about a particular form of cancer and how it is now treated.

As a GP, Goldsworthy has seen many patients over 40 years, and this book is peppered with anecdotes about them. He acknowledges that he has sought permission among the living and fictionalised names and characteristics, but I am surprised and a bit outraged that he can publish all these personal stories. I hope that my GP will never be a published writer.
However these patient anecdotes are actually the most entertaining parts of the book.
Other anecdotes make for a name dropping list of well known writers that Goldsworthy has met and talked to. Fair enough, he is a 'celebrated writer' and he knows people.

[steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the literary references to the contemplations on life and death, it felt like a true getting to know of Goldsworthy. Only half way through did I realise that Peter is the father of Anna, whose memoir I read and really enjoyed last year - I really got a kick out of that although I'm not entirely sure why. I guess I'm just impressed by their family. It gives me something to aspire to in terms of providing a culturally rich base for my children to grow up with, be that in books, music or theatre.

I enjoyed the anecdotes about Peter's patients as much as I enjoyed his musings about his own journey with cancer. I felt Peter did a good job of remaining self aware and likeable throughout, which made the book a pleasure to read. It also wasn't preachy but more self-reflective, which as the reader allowed you to come to your own conclusions, in your own time.

Loads of great bookish name-drops which will make for a substantial reading list to follow. Plus a few cute ideas which were born out of the reading, like adding a poem summing up the year to the Christmas card each year.

[Anne Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Goldsworthy, acclaimed Australian author, poet and GP for over 40 years received his cancer diagnosis with mixed feelings. That he saw it as great material for a book, apart from anything else, is to the benefit of readers. Not by any means a dark, introspective dwelling on the disease and its harrowing treatments, it's an exploration of many things, love, family, writing, his medical practice including many anecdotes about his patients over the years, who have also provided rich material writing-wise and for whom he holds great affection. I listened to this as an audiobook and my only complaint was that the author was not a great choice of narrator in that his gravelly, laid-back style of speech detracted from the colour and vividness of the prose, often rendering even the most pithy, incisive comments flat.

[Susan Belperio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a definite 3.5. However to score 4 or more, I must always feel that it's impossible to put down. This one didn't have that quality for me. There is no doubt that it's a useful read, and Peter is in the unique position of being able to approach it as both a Doctor and a patient. He is an exceptionally well read man, and it is interesting to learn of his takes on lots of rather esoteric books that haven't yet made it to my essential reading pile. His descriptions of the dexamethasone (steroid) induced fast thinking and feelings of euphoria, were very eloquent. I did enjoy his earlier books a little more, particularly Maestro. I wish him all the best on his journey with Myeloma and hope that a curative treatment arrives on the scene before too long. Perhaps that will leave room for a sequel.

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Peter Goldsworthy's writing and have held a curiosity about him and his family, as I grew up in Adelaide during my teenage years. I'm the same age as his daughter Anna and was in the same orbit during high school years.

This is a memoir about Goldsworthy's battle with myeloma as well as a collection of musings about love, family, friendships (particularly with other writers), writing, science, cancer and his patients over decades of practice as a GP. There's a strong theme about illness being narcissistic for all the attention it showers on the patient. He recognises that writing a cancer memoir is in itself a narcissistic endeavour!

A lot of the book is fascinating as an insight into the author himself, but many aspects of it seem self-indulgent. These aspects are forgiven in an overall good read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost feel bad writing that I could not finish this book. But I also am familiar with the cancer school so I’m hoping that will give me a bit of leeway.

The main reason I did not enjoy this book is because I felt the tone was at once self effacing and arrogant. I honestly do not care about nor am I impressed by a reflection on favourite books from 50 years ago. And I yawn just thinking of some of the ‘classics’. I couldn’t help reprimanding myself for expecting an elderly white man to be able to write honestly about feelings without going into his head.

I wish him well..and by all accounts he is doing brilliantly and my little insignificant review will not dissuade his fans. Just don’t expect to gain any new insights if you actually finish reading it.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start with this uplifting memoir?
In some ways it made me feel sad not to know this talented and humane man personally, to have him drop in and share his philosophy of life, and death. But how lucky are his many patients and friends.
I was particularly interested in his description of how it feels to have a bone marrow transplant, not the process or the medical explanation, but how it actually feels. Food "has become unrecognisable as food, or even as a category of of things that are meant to be put in the mouth. It belongs more with things that are not usually put in the mouth: cardboard, felt, wood leather, mud, stones".
His experiences on dexamethasone were similarly explained.
Just loved it, start to finish.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A darkly humorous, bittersweet cancer memoir and lessons in living in the shadow of an incurable diagnosis. The author has been a general medical practitioner for forty years. He writes about his own experience with case stories of patients and literary friends who have had similar diagnosis and treatment experiences, as he travels through denial, acceptance, treatment and survival.

An interesting memoir that is sometimes quite funny and sometimes very moving.

The author, an Australian, has published books of his poetry, short fiction, and novels. His novel ‘Maestro’ was shortlisted for the 1989 Miles Franklin Award.

This book was first published in 2024.

[Wendy Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter G is a GP and author. An active man, now in early 70’s. A keen cyclist.,His wife Lisa is also an academic & very supportive. He has written books, poetry & music pieces. The main theme of this book is Peter’s diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma and the extended treatment of this. He becomes very verbose as a side effect of the steroids, which are part of the treatment. He hardly sleeps and this reflects through. We learn so much about his extended life, intermingled through the book, it is likely a book which will remain with me,

I did wonder at times, early in the book, whether I would finish the read. As I progressed I knew I had no choice.

I score the his 4.25 stars 🌟

[Jane Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the way Peter Goldsworthy writes and this book was no exception. As a resident of Adelaide, I always learn about something in the city that I didn't know before and it is fun finding these gems. This book is a hotch-potch of patient stories and interesting facts and experiences of cancer and treatment. Less interesting to me was the navel gazing and philosophizing, however to give the author credit, he did mention that the book would be like that.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the author all the very best for his health, but I found this very self-indulgent with lots of name dropping of famous friends. His telling of the anecdote about an elderly woman patient right at the very beginning was very unsettling and that probably influenced my whole perception. I have read other books by medical people about their patients which manage to be both more humorous and show more warmth and empathy. A good insight into modern treatment for multiple myeloma.

[Bridget Mackie xxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel bad giving an average review with the bro being ill and all, but this was just not it. I laughed along at some of the sweet patient stories, but the reviews of classic literature were so uninteresting and added nothing to the book. I zoned in and out as I worked my way through the audiobook. Glad to be finished.

[Deborah Wearne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a personal journey of a S Australian GP diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He goes through a bone marrow transplant knowing it will prolong his life but not cure him. He genuinely loves his work but has to adjust as he gets sicker. His perspective on living well with chronic illness is interesting.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting, especially the consideration of the effects of the treatment, which I have not encountered before in such detail. However, there is something narcissistic about illness and the resulting memoir and this does fall foul of that trap, albeit knowingly. The author is a little too impressed with himself to be impressive.

[Jodie Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Despite being primarily about cancer, suffering and impending death Peter Goldsworthy gives a window into a beautiful and lucky life. The warm reminiscences of many fellow great writers made me both jealous and eager to go back and read them again. The book is also a great insight into someone who had spent a lifetime as a writer.

[Amy :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Goldsworthy has written such a honourable memoir dedicated to his patients and his journey with cancer. Connected with the vulnerabilities he puts forward, the book is split in to several parts detailing his professional and personal life.

None of it comes across as self indulgent, a lot of love and care was place into this piece of work.

[Susan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight to a cancer journey by a clever mind. Honest, educated, reflective and optimistic - a beautiful read about difficult subjects while also a touching tale of strength, language and love.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. Got to page 40 and that was enough. Can’t believe how much this author has written and how much has been published. I was struggling by page 14!! I knew this book was not for me. I find his writing not good.