Colleen's Story

My husband, John and I were looking forward to retirement and the freedom that would give us. I retired in December 2009 and John in December 2011, having purchased a new motor-home that year for a long trip in 2012 to celebrate our new freedom. However, the same month John retired, I was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia), so instead of a long trip away, we were grounded with five months of chemotherapy at The Holman Clinic at the LGH. I went on a clinical trial and treatment began in April 2012.

In spite of that treatment, we were able to take in every monthly rally of our motor-home club during that year. There were times when it would have been the easy option to stay home, especially when I lacked enthusiasm and energy. At rallies, there were times when I sat on the sidelines and watched others having fun, or sat by the fireside with my knitting. It was important therapy for John to get away from just caring for me and relax with others so we made the effort to get there.

At my three-month check-up after the end of chemo, we were told I had a mass on my right kidney. (This showed up in a CT scan). We were referred to a renal specialist who ordered a needle biopsy. From this it was determined to be a renal cancer (clear cell carcinoma). So it was a trip to hospital in Jan 2013 for that kidney to be removed.

The support we had from the staff at the Holman Clinic was amazing, whether the treating haematologist, the clinical trial supervisor, the nurses administering chemo or the “tea lady” caring not only for those of us undergoing chemo, but our spouses/carers as well. Their encouragement and attention to detail through that difficult time, we will never forget. Although still having regular check-ups, I am enjoying the best of health. We have been able to get away in our motor-home for several months each year since finishing treatment and have resumed our regular activities in between.

We cannot speak highly enough of the care I received (and am still receiving) at the Holman Clinic. All our questions were answered clearly and honestly and I owe all involved a big debt of gratitude.

Colleen Harrison

Oh, it’s just Chemo-brain! - A Poem by Colleen Harrison

I find that I have chemo-brain.

(It’s always good to have something to blame!)

Here I stand at the open fridge door

Wondering what I came here for!

(Just the way my boys used to stand

Waiting for something to jump in their hand.)

I must have wanted something today –

But the thought has simply flown away.

Oh! Now I remember - I’d better act fast

And grab up those beans while the memory lasts.

Yes, today I do have chemo-brain.

It seems to flush thought right down the drain.

I could have used my car keys and the cake for morning tea.

But they’re both safely back at home, as we holiday by the sea.

I think I brought all my meds – but I did make a list,

‘Cause I must take them on time, the doctors insist.

I think the food stores should be enough

Unless we get stuck if the weather turns rough.

But if more weird things happen, I’ll have to say,

“I’m sorry, but I have chemo-brain today!”

I definitely seem to have chemo-brain.

It’s one of the side-effects they didn’t explain!

They talked about fevers, chills and dizzy spells;

Of aches and pains and feet that swell.

But not how a perfectly normal brain

Can seem like mush again and again.

How you can’t seem to do a normal task,

Or understand what someone asks.

I trust one day it will all be clear

And my normal old brain will reappear.

Colleen Harrison (7 April 2012)