In this episode, Kate speaks with Ping, whose daughter Zoe was diagnosed with infant pre B-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just 5 weeks old. Zoe is now nearly 5 years old and is in remission and at school. Zoe's mother, Ping, shares what it was like to walk the blood cancer journey with a child so young, and how the family travelled around the world to save Zoe's life.
Michael Bowen was 33 years old and living in Sydney when one morning, as he was driving to work, he received a phone call that would stop his fast paced life in its tracks. Michael received a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). In this conversation, Michael talks about the bouts of depression he came up against and how he was able to overcome these hard times.
Vicky Pellowe was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Vicky and her husband had only been married six months, both working long hours as FIFO workers in Western Australia. Vicky speaks about the shock of mental recovery post treatment - how to try and remain positive while experiencing fear of relapse, side effects, potential infertility, body changes and loss of employment or finances. She also speaks about the journey into motherhood and how she was blessed with two miracle babies post treatment, without IVF.
Picture this - it was the year 2021 and Melbourne had just come out of its 5th lockdown. Renae and her partner, Sam escaped the 5km radius and went to the beach. Renae remembers feeling a lump in her throat which she thought could have been tonsillitis. One doctor's visit changed Renae's life - she was diagnosed with anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma. Renae talks about what it was like to be diagnosed during the Covid-19 pandemic in Melbourne, and how hospital restrictions impacted her support network during some of the toughest times of her treatment.
Damien Thompson was diagnosed with ALL in 2010 at the age of just 23. He underwent a donor-related allogeneic transplant and suffered severe GVHD. A number of years later post his bone marrow transplant, he had to undergo a double lung transplant. Damien shares pearls of wisdom about how he got through the challenging transplant. He speaks about remembering to celebrate the small wins, as those small wins turn into big gains. Damien made it his challenge to not let leukaemia win.
This episode tells the story of Robin Matthews. Robin is a dump truck diver from the APY Lands in far north South Australia, building roads for Indigenous communities. Robin was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma in 2021, and talks about what it was like to face a diagnosis in a rural area of Australia, just months after losing his wife to cancer. Robin shares how his family gave him strength in his darkest days and how finding a community within the Leukaemia Foundation helped him manage his diagnosis.
Nathalie Cook OAM, who was diagnosed with MPN in 2008, tells the story of the delay in her diagnosis and how after attending a conference in the USA, on the flight home, she made the decision to try to get Pegasys on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for people with MPN in Australia. It took 7 years to achieve this goal and the hearing her share the story of how she made it happen is truly astounding.
In our first episode of Season Two, we spoke to Tim Keen who was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia) in 1999. In this episode we speak with Tim's wife and carer, Jo Keen. Jo shares her insights about her role as a carer. She talks about how her relationship with Tim strengthened throughout this tough journey and ways that they remained positive together. She discusses how making time for your family is the best investment you can make for own happiness.
To kick off Season Two, we chat to Tim Keen who was 34 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML). Tim shares his story through diagnosis, relapse, and treatment, where he underwent two autologous transplants and arsnic treatment.
Northern Territory local Robert Smith had been living on dialysis for 12 years when he was diagnosed with myeloma. Robert discusses the importance that the support of his wife, Jo was in his journey. He takes us through his story — from diagnosis, to what it was like to travel to Adelaide for life-saving treatment and his recovery.
