News
Christmas miracle for four Kinross kids
Dec 01, 2015
Kinross mother-of-four Olga White is a cancer survivor who last year was unsure if she would be around to celebrate this Christmas with her kids.
The Irish-born nurse is now looking forward to the festive season thanks to early detection and modern treatment close to home.
The 49 year old was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2013 after she found a lump and went to her GP.
She says she knew the moment that a biopsy was suggested that there was a chance it may be a malignant tumour.
“When my GP told me I didn’t cry initially because I think I was half expecting it. I was just shell-shocked; I wasn’t so much upset at first, just bewildered and very scared,” she said. “My first thought was, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to die and my youngest is only six.”
Two weeks after her initial surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Olga went back to the clinic and was told that a few cancerous cells had been discovered in the lymph nodes.
“That was the most devastating moment of the whole thing because it meant I would need chemotherapy,” she said.
“I live in Kinross, which is only a five minute drive from Joondalup Health Campus so I was pleased to learn I could have my chemo in the JHC Oncology Unit.
“It could have taken up to an hour to travel elsewhere for treatment. I’m not sure how many other local people living with cancer know this – all they have to do is ask to be referred to JHC.
“It was absolutely fantastic being able to do my treatment close to home. Friends of mine who have been through it and had to go to RPH and Charlies and they said the travel after treatment was arduous.
“We don’t have private cover but I have to say, the public system really works – when you need something done it is done. All my surgery and treatment was put into place quickly and efficiently. Throughout my journey I found that care was fantastic. Everyone was really caring and very professional.
“The chemo itself was pretty awful – in fact, I can’t even begin to tell you how bad chemo is. But I had fantastic friends and the Oncology Unit at Joondalup is great – it’s a brand new unit and the nurses were very kind and caring. I can’t speak highly enough of them – they really made a very bad experience not so bad.
“After my first treatment I initially felt okay but then a few days later I felt diabolical and was in bed for five days. I didn’t eat anything but made myself drink cold icy water. I was literally incapacitated. It was an effort to walk across the room – I didn’t shower, I couldn’t move.”
She has recently been given the all-clear – and her kids are thrilled to have mum home this Christmas.
JHC medical oncologist Dr Arman Hasani first met Olga at the beginning of 2014 after her surgery.
“She went through her treatment well and now she doing great - she continues with regular follow-up visits with me at Joondalup Health Campus,” he said.
“I have treated several nurses, like Olga, at Joondalup and they all have recognised and appreciate how good the oncology team here is.”
Dr Hasani said the unit operates extremely effectively with clinic rooms and the chemotherapy unit within the same area.
“The layout allows team members including nursing, medical, pharmacy, allied health and clerical staff to communicate effectively with each other and for patients to receive all their care in one area.”
“Local cancer patients could spend on average 45 minutes travelling to other hospitals for cancer treatment and most need someone else to drive them because of the symptoms from the cancer or treatment. This can be a significant time and financial burden for patients and their family.”
“Being able to see the same specialist each time and being looked after by a small and effective oncology team close to where they live is usually a great relief for people living with cancer.”