Giving Melbourne A Hug
Last week Melbourne finally came out of a long-awaited COVID lockdown, during which Cure Cancer helped to give Victorian cancer patients a ‘hug’…
Over the last few months, Melbourne and many regional communities in Victoria were placed under lockdown due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. For cancer patients in these areas, the harsh restrictions limited the number of loved ones they could see, making an already difficult time even more frightening for them.
During this time, Cure Cancer and our partner, The Big Hug Box, sought to deliver Big Hug Boxes, each filled with practical and empowering products sourced from small Australian businesses, to cancer patients across Melbourne.
Together, we raised an incredible $7,340 and delivered 115 boxes to cancer treatment centres and hospitals I including Peninsula Private Hospital, Ring Wood Private, St Vincent’s, Ballarat Cancer Centre, Portland and Border Cancer Hospital.
We recently caught up with 69-year old Kathleen, a cancer patient and Big Hug Box recipient, to hear about her cancer journey and what the special delivery means to her…
Kathleen’s Story
The year 2020 started happily when the family took my 95-year-old mother on a short cruise on the Queen Elizabeth (which was great fun), and before Covid-19 descended my husband and I had plans to travel to India and to Italy this year. We work on the principle that you travel while your health is up to it - you sure do.
I have always been conscious of, and grateful for, my good fortune in enjoying excellent health and mobility, and I certainly never took it for granted, but there was no particular reason to fear what might be around the corner. Of course, we know intellectually that life is a random and fragile gift, but we don’t live our lives looking out for curve balls. Around May I started to experience unfamiliar symptoms. I would be woken during the night by a strong aching sensation, a feeling of tight pressure, in my upper right arm. I knew the ache wasn’t muscular and wondered what it might be. The aches came and went, extending to my other arm, and varying in intensity.
In June, during the brief period between lockdowns in Victoria, I was able to celebrate my 69th birthday with a few family members. Soon afterwards I went to the GP who ordered a range of tests, including the blood test that showed low haemoglobin. Further tests revealed my Kappa Light Chain Multiple Myeloma.
I can recall my reaction to the news that I had Multiple Myeloma: I wrote down the word Myeloma, having heard of it before but being otherwise ignorant of its features and implications for my future. And, fleetingly, that trusty human defence reaction of Denial presented: “This can’t be me. I’m fit and healthy, and Myeloma is not part of my plan.” But it was a momentary protest. The reality settled on me with little further resistance, apart from a few tears, and I switched fairly quickly to management mode - the need to inform myself and to get on with treatment, which has improved out of sight in recent years.
I live in East Melbourne and can walk to St Vincent’s Private where I have my treatment. I’ve walked home from treatment the last two occasions and I realise how very fortunate I am.
My first day of Induction treatment at St Vincent’s in Melbourne was on Monday 5th October 2020. As well as the drugs I received, I was given a lot of information and resource material. I also received a “Mini Hug” box from Cure Cancer, containing tea, cookies, lip balm, etc.
“It was such a pleasant and unexpected surprise, so generous and comforting, providing me with a sense of an active and caring support group out there.”
I’m lucky in that I haven’t felt particularly isolated and lonely during lockdown. I live with my husband and we see our neighbours a lot, out in Yarra Park near our home. We’ve kept in touch with family and friends through Zoom meetings and catch ups in the park. I’ve joined all sorts of interesting lectures and discussions online. Cancer is much more of a preoccupation for me than lockdown, which has worked exceptionally well, and thanks to strong leadership from our State government for that.
With so much progress being made in the treatment of Myeloma, I’m hoping that research holds out the promise of a cure in the future. I guess that goes for all forms of cancer.
I have a challenging year ahead with a stem cell transplant. I will be drawing on all the encouragement and support available.
A Note of Thanks
Thank you to Kathleen for sharing with us her moving story and we wish her all the best as she continues her treatment.
Cure Cancer has recently launched our Buddy Box, another special gift box that will instead go to children facing cancer in treatments centres and hospitals.
Be a Buddy to a child who needs it most and purchase a Buddy Box today for us to send it to a little friend who needs our help during these difficult times.