My cancer diagnosis was terrifying, but there are more reasons than ever to stay positive
The upside is that the deputy premier will be receiving the very best medical treatment, and she can be assured of Australia's best wishes for a speedy recovery so that she can return to work in due course.
Because the cancer has been spotted early in its development, the chances of successful treatment are greatly improved. In recent decades treatments have made huge progress and survival rates are much better. I should know. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in late 2023. A routine colonoscopy revealed a tumour on my outer bowel rim. A flurry of appointments and tests concluded I had stage three cancer.
My first thought was: 'How can this be?' After all, I was reasonably fit and healthy at age 52. I suffered no symptoms: there was no diarrhoea or constipation, or blood in the toilet bowel. But I do have a family history – my 61-year-old mother had died from bowel cancer, and younger Australians are increasingly being diagnosed with the disease.
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Then I thought: 'How much longer am I going to live?' But the magnificent GenesisCare team at the Royal North Shore Hospital were unfailingly positive, and I was told that my condition was eminently treatable and that I'd probably survive.
My treatment started almost immediately: surgery to remove the tumour, followed by intense chemotherapy. The process was disruptive, even distressing: I used to think that my chemo days amounted to a combination of being hungover and seasick at the same time. I put on weight, felt tired, even discombobulated. I ended my weekly Radio National program, which I had presented for 10 years. I made a will.
Six months of chemo blasted the cancer, but blasted me too. I'm now in remission, though I continue to experience what's called peripheral neuropathy. It's like constant numbness, tingling, hypersensitivity in one's feet and hands, with no relief in sight.
But I've survived thanks to my doctors, (mainly Irish) nurses and loving family and friends. And I still need to pay regular hospital visits for scans, blood tests and check-ups.
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