Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner shares her cancer journey with participants in the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life
Tasmanian governor Kate Warner says she remains hopeful of “powering through” her cancer treatment without too many difficulties while out walking for the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.
Tasmania
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TASMANIAN governor Kate Warner says her cancer treatment is progressing well and she remains hopeful of “powering through” without too many difficulties.
Addressing a hometown audience at the opening of the Derwent Valley Relay for Life on Saturday, Professor Warner said that when she spoke at Hobart’s Relay for Life last year, she had no idea she would become one of the nine Tasmanians diagnosed with cancer every day.
“I suppose in some ways this is not particularly surprising when you hear the statistic that by the age 85 one in two people in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer,” Professor Warner said.
GOVERNOR TO WORK THROUGH CANCER FIGHT
The governor said her story was that a sore hip ended up being identified as non-Hodgkins lymphoma. “I heard this as we were driving in the governor’s car to the Derwent Sailing Squadron on New Year’s Eve, to present the prizes for the yacht races,” she said.
“Just as we were passing Constitution Dock, my doctor rang and I said ‘I have some news, you have non-Hodgkins lymphoma’, which he said is actually good news because it is a treatable form of cancer.
“So now I’ve started my cancer journey, as they say. I’ve had a couple of rounds of chemotherapy [and] I have lost most of my hair, so now I have to wear turbans and a wig.
“I must say I’m not all that keen on the wig, I’ve decided it feels a bit like having a Pekingese on my head with flees … very itchy, so I’ve gone with the turbans. I can stand the wig for an hour or so, so it’s OK for a reception at Government House, but much longer and I want to pluck it off.
“I am managing well and I’m finding that I’m able to continue with all of my engagements. I haven’t had to cancel anything as yet, which is really good news. I’m hoping that I will be able to power through this treatment with not too many difficulties. That may be being very optimistic but I’m hopeful that will be the case.
“So here I am today wearing the survivor’s sash this year instead of a carer’s sash. I hope that everybody else here today who are survivors or currently suffering are managing their treatment as well.
“There is certainly a lot of room to be optimistic in relation to this disease. Thank you everybody for your support for the Relay for Life, all of the funds that you’ve raised are going to such a good cause.”
More than 250 people in 15 teams completed the Derwent Valley Relay for Life yesterday morning, raising more than $30,000 for the Cancer Council Tasmania.
damian.bester@news.com.au
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