Judy and Gerry. Photo: Supplied.
CONTRIBUTED BY ADELIA BERRIDGE
The desired goals of chemotherapy are to cure cancer, shrink tumours before surgery, destroy remaining cancer cells, and/or manage symptoms and prolong life. The other side of chemotherapy is the harsh side effects when healthy cells are damaged.
Chemotherapy affects nerves and muscles, and causes fatigue, appetite changes, nausea or vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, thinking and memory changes, mouth problems, skin and nail changes, sexuality, intimacy and fertility issues, changes in hearing, body odour, hair loss, and vision are a few commonly known side effects reported on the Cancer Council’s website.
Ormiston resident Judy Rose knows all too well how cancer and chemotherapy affect families.
“When my cousin died of breast cancer at 42, her girls were still quite young. That was over 20 years ago, when far less was known about treatments. My partner got breast cancer three years ago, shocking us with the fact that men can get it too. He is a survivor and thriving thanks to rapid and effective treatments.
“Families must navigate a complex mix of emotions like grief, anger, and guilt, while also dealing with the practical challenges of treatment, finances, and altered family roles. While there is so much more hope today and higher survival rates, we need continued funding for research to find a cure.”
The Do It for Cancer fundraiser, held during November, is a key fundraising initiative of the Cancer Council. This year marked Judy’s second of swimming 9km to raise funds through sponsorship.
“We all need to do what we can to make this ‘yesterday’s disease’, so that yellow daffodils will just be admired for their beauty, not what they represent, because I know how much this disease impacts families,” said Judy.
Sponsorship is a donation for research into new treatments, support for people affected by cancer through information and services, and funding for prevention programs to reduce cancer risk.
As this article goes to print, Judy will continue her daily swim and is very grateful for all who were part of it. Kindness and support from the community have had a profound impact on cancer research, and it could not have been achieved without the generous donations.
Resources:
Cancer information sourced from the Cancer Council: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/cancer-treatment/chemotherapy/side-effects/
Judy Rose’s donation page: https://sms.nbcf.org.au/9Lw1.iiT
