How Cancer Transformed My Crushing Anxiety Into Boundless Bliss | Andrea Gibson | What’s Underneath

In this week’s episode of What’s Underneath, poet Andrea Gibson opens up about how after years of living a life dictated by extreme anxiety and hypochondria, they found peace and alignment when their worst nightmare became a reality: an Ovarian cancer diagnosis. “I’ve got nothing on my to do list but to know how to die with an open heart” is the mindset Andrea has grounded themselves in to allow love to outweigh fear as the navigate cancer and their journey to building an intimate relationship with their eternal, genderless self.

About StyleLikeU
If you agree that facades separate us and being radically honest brings us together, please take a moment to subscribe to our channel and share this video with any friends or family who could benefit from feeling less alone in their journeys. Don’t forget to click the bell so you’re aware of every time we upload a new episode!

Follow Andrea Gibson
@andreagibson

FOLLOW STYLELIKEU:

Directors: Elisa Goodkind & Lily Mandelbaum
Producer: Melissa Bindi
Camera Operators: Cheshire Li & Forrest Lotterhos

Follow @stylelikeu on Instagram for more details and announcements on how you can participate and share in the healing power of vulnerability, truth-sharing, and the unshakable bravery to be yourself.

#stylelikeu #poetry #cancer #andreagibson

[likeadroplet]

Andrea has been one of my greatest heart teachers. I hope they know that I don’t see it as their body carrying my heart, and my heart breaking if their body were to leave. I feel it like their eternal soul has shared love with mine. That love will always be with me and will be shared as far as my soul can reach too. There will be grief, but mostly immeasurable beauty and love. My heart cannot break - it’s been made more whole.

[socladriana]

“Looking directly at yourself and not turning away
is very similar to looking directly at the world and not turning away.”
1:03 and I'm already crying! Andrea you are such a heart-opener.

[briannenurse]

"I feel like life is on my side, and I feel like death is on my side." So profound.

[lillyedlugach]

When we were kids, Andrea visited our small yet mighty school to preform poetry. I think I can speak for every single person in that room when I say It completely changed our lives: we were blown away. Their kind/passionate/radiant heart permeates all that they do, altering everyone they meet. I've never met another human being like Andrea. Thank you beautiful soul for everything you do/have done - you make the world a better place. We all love you ♥

[marvanbee]

Gosh...we sure waste a lot of time doing anything except having gratitude for our bodies, huh. I learned a lot from this video. It's also nice to know somebody else transforms into a kid when in nature. :) Thanks Andrea. :)

[missjulie]

To see Andrea choose to take off their shirt and show their scars and tape was probably one of the most vulnerable and truely powerful things I've EVER seen in my 45 years. I'm in shock. Loving shock.

This reminds me so of my beloved mother in ways I cannot put to words. Thank you, Andrea. ...thank you

[meganlumley]

I am overwhelmed by such grace. As if the Universe cracked open for a moment and showed me myself in theirself. Thank you.

[tashsmith]

“I dreamed of healing.” Thank you Andrea for your beautiful, open heart. ♥️

[annad]

Queer teen here, we love you and appreciate your work so much, Andrea!

[pianofreak]

“Practice imagining a future”. That’s the most hope-inducing thing I’ve ever heard.

[leaurimoore]

Effing PHENOMENAL! Andrea, don’t worry about breaking our hearts. It already happened and we are abundantly grateful. ❤

[shawneemoon]

Andrea is a beautiful soul, their poetry is heartfelt and healing.

[aabracadavra]

She's wiser than most gurus, priests and philosophers combined. What a resilient and intelligent woman.

[sashak-r]

I hope this person has a long life ahead of them on Earth, we need this person on this Earth

[heycambry]

I felt every range of emotions during this as I do when they perform and speak. It’s Andrea’s power with their words, the way they see the world (and themself) with such empathetic, beautiful clarity. The love and honesty they’ve shared with the world I will forever carry in my heart, and as others said, it has already made me more whole. Thank you for your ineffable vulnerability throughout the years and I hope we get to keep that lightning striking for awhile ❤ ⚡️

[hollyd.oswalt]

Andrea has my utmost respect. They are incredible.

[ToyaWilliams]

"MOST DAYS I FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD " exactly how I feel when I focus on gratitude. ❤

[fiotheo]

Andrea Gibson has taught me so much about joy and bodies and radical vulnerability and presence. This moved me to tears. 💗

[madisonbrown-cadelinia]

I remember the first poem I ever heard of theirs when I was 13. I am 27 now, I wouldn't be here or who I am today without Andrea. Words cannot amount the gratefulness I have to still be learning from such an incredible person - We are all one another and to live through kindness is truly life's purest lesson. I am in awe of everything shared. Thank you thank you thank you. We are all on this journey with you. Love and light.

[Zhirea]

Oh, Andrea. It's been such an honor to have found you through Button Poetry. Your words speak of life and love and grief, and watching you embrace every piece of your vulnerability has made me realize that I've wasted so much time beating myself up. I just hope I can learn to be at peace with myself, and you've been a great teacher.
I'm pulling for you. I love you and your spirit. Thank you for being a lighthouse.