"110/100 for Kerang Oncology!"

Late last year, my husband got very sick. It had been hard to get into the doctor and I had to insist that he be seen. We finally got an appointment on the Friday. The doctor took one look at him and said he needed blood tests the very next morning. The next evening, we received a call from the doctor saying we needed to get my husband down to Bendigo immediately. We couldn’t even wait until the morning.

By Saturday night, he had been admitted to a hospital in Melbourne with acute leukemia. On Thursday we were told my husband had until Christmas to live.

By early this year, he had chemo injections in the stomach that weren’t working. He had to have tablets several times a day instead. Because of the serious side effects of the tablets. The tablets made him very sick and he had to stay in hospital. During that time I couldn’t see him due to restrictions and he became very depressed and went off his food. He wanted to come home but they said he can’t because he’s too sick. But finally my husband said enough is enough, I’m going home and he did.

The hospitals in Melbourne and Bendigo were very good and they know what they are doing. They must be doing something right because when we last saw the Hematologist, my husband was able to hope to still be here in March! It’s just that they weren’t explaining what was wrong and what different tests were for and he felt like he was being treated as just a number.

I couldn’t believe it – within 5 days of being home and getting treatment (blood transfusions) with Cindy and her team at Kerang Oncology, his appetite was back and he was so much happier. We can see each other and he can watch all the birds on the lawn which he loves. 

Cindy and her team (Haylee, Trishell and Candice) are so beautiful. They are so caring, understanding and just brilliant! They give you personalised care and you are not just a number. Cindy explains things so well. She’s excellent and my husband would be lost without her. It is a beautiful oncology department.

My husband made it to Easter and I asked him what he wanted and he said he wanted an Easter egg. I got him that and asked him what next. Now he’s going to try to make it until September.

I just want Cindy, her team and everyone to know that I would give them 110 out of 100!