Sok 's story
“I won't lie, I have moments where I've broken down, and I've cried. I want to give up at times. But it's the people around me who are cheering me on and telling me ‘You can do this. You're very strong. You've come so far.’”
Sok Whyte is a Clinical Nurse Educator at WSLHD who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in February 2022. She received treatment at Westmead Hospital, where she works.
“Having the services at Westmead Hospital and working here has been a true blessing. The moment that I saw the doctor, I knew I was in really good hands.”
Sok has volunteered to participate in CPMCC Dry July campaign and encourages you to support the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) team at Westmead Hospital, who are raising a...
Practical support for mums with cancer
A cancer diagnosis is devastating for anyone. When someone is told they have cancer, and they’re also a mum, the impact is even more profound.
For mums in this situation, often some of their first thoughts are about the practicalities – how to tell the kids, who will care for the children whilet they’re having treatment, how they’ll keep up with their usual tasks around the house, and whether they’ll see their children grow up.
This is where Mummy’s Wish comes in.
Every mum registered with Mummy’s Wish receives a Mummy’s Wish Care Pack.
A practical way to provide information and resources for the mums, the packs also include a selection of books carefully chosen to help have difficult conversations with young children about cancer.
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Liz's story
Hi, I’m Liz. I’m 37 years old, married to a spunky guy, mother to 3 beautiful children (6, 8, and 10) and I have brain cancer. And I can tell you, brain cancer sucks!
My extended family has had it tough with this disease. My cousin Luke passed away a number of years ago after living most of his life with a childhood form of the disease. Then his brother also had a brain tumour removed recently and my eldest sister Michelle was diagnosed with brain cancer almost 10 years ago too.
My journey with brain cancer started at home on the 10th June 2021. That’s the day I had my first seizure and my world changed forever.
In the lead up, I had been experiencing a large number of minor yet ever increasing symptoms like anxiety, tiredness, losing...
Rosi's story
Cancer impacted my life from a very young age. Sadly, both my mother and father passed away after a diagnosis – my mother died when she was 46 and I was 10, and my father when he was 56. This difficult period impacted me deeply and has been imprinted on my behaviour since. Because of this loss, I have always appreciated the everyday, along with being very grateful to be in good health.
It is an unfortunate reality that most of us have been affected by cancer in some way, but I am relieved that there is now so much help available to manage the treatment process and ease some of the burden of a diagnosis.
I have been involved with Look Good Feel Better for decades now; first as a supporter during my time as a beauty department sales...
Remi's story
At nearly four years old, our cheese-loving, female Brussels Griffon is more than an adorable pet. A therapy dog at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse since 2020, Remi has touched many hearts with her healing presence and provided comfort and solace to patients at a difficult time.
Not just any dog is suited to being a therapy dog, it requires a special temperament and compassion. Recently, Remi completed a rigorous six months of training, - funded by Dry July - proving her competence and receiving an official registration to practice her special method of holistic care, along with Karen Heath, Volunteer Services Manager at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse “It was a relief to know that we had passed. Remi had no idea the level of achievement she had...
Victoria's story
Victoria's personal journey with ovarian cancer began in May 2020 when, at 59 years old, she was confronted with the diagnosis of stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer. This initiated a tumultuous period characterised by major debulking surgery and weekly chemotherapy sessions over seven months.
Before her diagnosis, Victoria experienced subtle symptoms like back pain and changes in bowel & bladder habits. It took approximately eight months of consultations with medical professionals before she received a definitive answer.
After some mild pelvic pain, her doctor sent her for a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound that found a large tumour on her right ovary. After a PET scan, laparoscopy, and biopsies, it was confirmed that the...
A Place to Call Home: How Cancer Wellness Support Kept Us in the Blue Mountains
Before discovering Cancer Wellness Support, Lee Pittman (client) and Rob Pittman (carer) had been preparing to leave their beloved Blue Mountains for Sydney, seeking cancer support services. However, the personalised individual therapies, the support of the Metastatic Support Group, the tailored programs, and the genuine warmth and care of the Cancer Wellness Support community have been so extraordinary that they have decided to remain in the Blue Mountains.
In July 2007, Lee received a life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer. Little did she know that over a decade later, in May 2020, she would face another daunting diagnosis - metastatic breast cancer, now in her bones.
Cancer is not a stranger to Lee's family. Her father (now...
Deanna's story
Deanna Keogh has nursed aged care and palliative patients at Bendigo Health’s for 45 years. Dea accidently came into palliative care nursing when Bendigo Health established its first hospice at the aged care facility she was then working in, “I knew in my gut it would be a wonderful opportunity when I was asked to work in end of life care, unlike many other staff who ran for the hills! I had recently lost my mother and found it quite cathartic after her death”.
25 years later, Dea continues to provide the quality of care for which she and her colleagues are renowned.
“It is our patients that are always in our thoughts, their families too. We remember many special people who have stories to tell, examples of great bravery, generosity and...
Janna's story
I’m Janna, and I’m the Programs Officer for Arrow.
I look after our patient support program that helps bone marrow transplant patients and their families manage all the extra costs they have to juggle during treatment. This could be providing a grocery or petrol gift card, paying a household bill, or help covering the cost of temporary accommodation while they are away from home for treatment.
The patients we help are really unwell. Many of them are facing blood cancer, and it’s a tough disease to beat. People often get a diagnosis one day and can sometimes be in hospital starting treatment the next. It’s a huge and sudden disruption to their lives that no one is ever prepared for. Your whole life is turned on its head, and you don’t...