Angela's cancer journey

Published date24 August 2022
Publication titleWest Coast Messenger, The
"My personal trainer at the gym told me that it is important to be aware of your own body," Angela says

After noticing discomfort when using gym equipment, Angela decided to carry out a self-examination while in the shower and discovered a hard lump. Concerned, she rang her medical centre and made an appointment to see her doctor.

Within two weeks Angela was seen by a consultant surgeon at Te Nikau Hospital in Greymouth and was given an examination under general anaesthetic.

"When I woke up someone was patting my arm and telling me that I had a tumour," she says.

Angela's cancer was a rare type of squamous cell carcinoma. Further investigations including a PET scan and a colonoscopy showed that the cancer had been detected early and had not spread.

"My oncologist was surprised," she says.

"When I found out the cancer had not metastasised, I cried," Angela says.

Following her cancer diagnosis, Angela collapsed while at home. She had also been experiencing nausea and it turned out that these symptoms were nothing to do with her cancer but the result of a previously undiagnosed gallstone the size of a golf ball.

Angela had to have her gallbladder removed, which meant the start of her cancer treatment was deferred by several weeks.

Although Angela's husband Craig had had his own cancer experience back in 2015, the couple said they "had no idea the Cancer Society did what they did." Angela says Maree Yaxley, who works for the Cancer Society's Canterbury-West Coast division and is based in Hokitika, was "very, very helpful".

Maree provided the couple with information about the National Travel Assistance scheme and told them about the Cancer Society's Christchurch accommodation facilities, Daffodil Lodge and Daffodil House.

Angela stayed at Daffodil Lodge in Riccarton while having radiation and chemotherapy treatment and describes the Cancer Society services as "absolutely brilliant".

"The cleaners come in and change the bed," she says.

Craig was able to travel over from Hokitika to spend the weekends with Angela at Daffodil Lodge.

"I'm lucky in the job I'm in," Craig says.

"I've been able to take annual leave and my employer (Westland Milk Products) has been very supportive." Angela used the Cancer Society shuttle service to transport her from Daffodil Lodge to the hospital for her treatment and back again.

Craig describes this service as "awesome." "You don't have to worry about getting a park," he says.

Angela says the main side effects of her treatment have...

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