Get involved in Research

We invite you to take part in a research project to understand the needs of carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.
This is an important study because we know very little about the needs of these carers to better support Indigenous cancer patients. We want to identify what carers’ needs are and how we can measure them to improve the assistance they receive from health professionals and support services. Helping caregivers may also improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.

The Supporting Our Carers study is being run by researchers at Menzies School of Health Research and other universities.
Professor Gail Garvey, an Aboriginal woman, is leading the study.

How can I find out more?
If you have any questions about this project, you can contact:
Lorraine Bell, Project Manager supportingourcarers@menzies.edu.au PH: (07) 3169 4206

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World Cancer Day

I Am a fighter

And Will conquer this cancer

The Lords Prayer

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This beautiful prayer was given to me by Kerry Charlton and sits at my bedside

https://nacchocommunique.com/2020/12/14/naccho-aboriginal-health-news-leadership-series-webinar-nacchochair-on-the-importance-of-narrative/

Other Cancers 3

Breast cancer

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Other Cancers

Prostate cancer

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Other Cancers

Some quick and easy information on Ovarian cancer

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How’s it Going

I know I said I would post more regularly, but I’ve been really badly chemo sick lately. It’s driving me crazy, after doing so well, then to suddenly start getting ill, I feel betrayed by my body.

The heat certainly isn’t helping. I’m awake at 3 AM, visiting my bestie, the toilet until around 7-8. I’m on my last round and that is something to be grateful for.

I rent and the house doesn’t have aircon or fans, so we have fans all over the place to help keep the house cool.

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Brain tumour does not like heat and summer is the time that I suffer the most. More black outs and fainting.

Pass the smelling salts

Each day,I being the delicate little differ down dilly, wilt as the day progresses and suffer more headaches. It’s really not right that I should have to suffer in the heat and some days that means being stuck in my bedroom lying down on pain killers.

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I feel your pain Charlie Brown

I’m pricing portable aircon machines, to see if I can afford one in this lifetime. Put it in my room so that I have a proper cool refuge

Why don’t adults have cute potties?

I’m sitting here, listening to the information I should be storing about palliative care, when my ears prick up at the talk of commodes. Maybe it’s because of my recent episode of having to use the toilet aid that made me pay attention, or maybe it’s just the injustice of the boringness of it all

The group is a varied one so of course it shows differing aids. I think it’s great that kids can have Pepper Pig, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but why can’t adults have a bit of fun and joy in their life too?

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Cute and functional

Adults get boring stuff, plane stuff, because we obviously have to be serious and staid

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White and boring

I guess I will go on some online service and get some stickers to brighten up and make fancy.

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Dare I say that kids get a better deal with disposable underwear. We have all seen the advertisements for pull ups with pictures on them suitable from a young age to a teenager. The minute you hit adult hood, its all about discrete, but no flare

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I think the pink with the flower is as daring as they go

I am thankful that I have access to such luxuries as these and I will have to ponder how to make the underwear more individual

The Time Has Come

After months of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, it is now time to see what the results are. I will be having tests over the next couple of weeks to see what that rascally brain tumour Charlotte is up to.

I was told from the get go with these treatments that if it all works it will buy me another, maybe 7 years, if not, well it will be a good bye soon enough

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Greenslopes Hospital.

I have already had an MRI and CT scan. I hate any scan that involves lots of noise, so it’s a relief to get them out the way. But it is what it is and I have to suck it up and deal with it

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Noise making machines

It’s been a hard year on my veins, my poor arms quiver at the sight of a needle now days. So many needles going in the vein, either taking blood or pumping stuff in there. I can’t forget the arteries taking the chemo infusions

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I’m still determined to not let Charlotte win, she is not going to ruin this year. So much crap has already happened this year, so I’m not going to be one more crappy thing happening