Brisbane police staffer with rare blood cancer diagnosis still on duty

Seven years after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and undergoing scary treatments, a Brisbane police employee is not only still serving, she is inspiring others.

After thinking she was going to die, a Moreton Bay policewoman who survived a grim cancer diagnosis is still working fulltime work and inspiring others.

Burpengary’s Christine Bates was only 52 when she was diagnosed with light chain multiple myeloma, a rare form of multiple myeloma and blood cancer, in 2016.

Mrs Bates and her family feared the worse as it is an incurable, albeit treatable, cancer.

She endured 29 days in hospital undergoing bone marrow treatment, cell transplants and chemotherapy.

“When I was first diagnosed, I was very lethargic and tired and blood tests for my kidneys plummeted to 18 percent — kidney failure is 15 percent,” Mrs Bates said.

“I went through a week of blood tests through my GP and I think she saved my life.

“She got me onto the kidney specialist at Royal Brisbane (& Women’s Hospital) and an appointment within four days.

Christine Bates (left) with her daughter Lauren (right) and Jane McMillan from Leukaemia Support Queensland. Picture: Contributed

“The kidney specialist said you have this and when he said it‘s a form of blood cancer, I went ‘are you for real’.

“I had a kidney biopsy the next day and it was very painful, then a bone marrow biopsy.

“The haematologist came back and said we have your diagnosis

“They went through all these things but I wasn’t listening and thinking I was going to die and we don’t have money to pay for this.”

A stem cell collection during those 29 days saw Mrs Bates cells collected, as the multiple myeloma produces cancerous cells which overcrowded the bloodstream, and new cells drip-fed into her body.

Moreton District police officers and even Christine’s boss jumped on board to shave or colour their hair. Picture: Contributed

“I had ulcers down my throat due to the chemo,” Mrs Bates said.

“I lost my hair and after 11 days, I saw my blood cells fighting their way back into my body and the blood count coming up to the normal level.”

Mrs Bates has been very lucky that she hasn’t had to return to hospital for serious treatments and chemotherapy since her diagnosis, as the treatments have allowed her to live a relatively normal life.

Mrs Bates has worked in Moreton Police District as an administrative assistant for the past 15 years and her daughter Lauren, has also worked for Caboolture Police’s prosecution unit.

She had to take a year off work since her diagnosis, but has worked full-time since February 2017.

Lauren Bates is hoping to raise $10,000 by May for Leukaemia Support Queensland. Picture: Contributed

On Monday, at the Burpengary Police Station, Chrissy and local police officers cut, shaved and coloured their hair to raise funds for Leukaemia Support Queensland.

Lauren is an ambassador of Leukaemia Support Queensland and has pledged to raise $10,000 by May, which will be used to support families battling all forms of leukaemia.

The group supports more than 1500 families

“I had a relapse back in December but it‘s a watch and wait situation, once it affects my kidneys it’ll be bone marrow and treatment again,” Mrs Bates said.

“A lot of what I do is remain positive and I do what I have to do to survive.

“I get tired and colds easily because my immune system might be down.

“I was tired when I got diagnosed and when I do get tired now, I fear its come back again.”

Lisa and Vera from the Caboolture House of York Design and Katie from Katie Hare Hair completed the cuts and shaves.

Jane McMillan, from Leukaemia Support Queensland, said they had recently secured a block of land to build housing close to the Caboolture Hospital.

“We are striving to raise over $2 million to build much needed housing which will allow families to stay close to their loved ones while being treated at the hospital,” she said.

You can help Lauren reach her target of fundraising for Leukaemia Support Queensland by clicking here.