In 2012, Cheryl Brandon was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma – starting a decade-long blood cancer journey. Her husband Ian discusses the care and support he and Cheryl received, how he continues to honour Cheryl and her legacy, and the importance of giving back.
When Cheryl began feeling unwell in 2012, she was initially reluctant to seek medical help despite encouragement from Ian and many of her friends. At the time, they were living in Hervey Bay, 290km north of Brisbane.
“She refused to go and see anybody,” Ian recalls.
That was her way. She wasn’t markedly unwell, but she was not right. We tried to get her to our GP – with whom we had a very good relationship – but she was quite stubborn in that respect.
“I knew something was wrong, and I’m pretty sure she knew as well – but didn’t want to own up to it or admit it.
Then one day, Cheryl collapsed in their home and was first admitted to Hervey Bay Hospital, then transferred to St. Stephen’s Hospital in Maryborough within 24 hours.
The doctors’ suspicions were validated when tests confirmed that Cheryl had non-Hodgkin lymphoma – a type of blood cancer.
Due to a lack of medical resources in Hervey Bay at the time, Cheryl needed to be immediately moved to Brisbane for urgent treatment.
Only 28% of Australians live in regional and remote areas, but they make up 41% of all blood cancer patients like Cheryl. Limited access to healthcare professionals and services force patients from regional Australia to travel long distances for treatment and care. People living in regional areas are also 17 times more likely to report geographical and financial barriers to care than people living in metropolitan areas.
Cheryl was flown to the Wesley Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, while Ian quickly packed bags for the two of them and made the four-hour drive down to Brisbane.
Treatment began immediately, and she remained in Brisbane for the following two years.
At the time, Ian was paying out of his own pocket to stay at the Rotary Lodge opposite the hospital so he could be close to Cheryl. That changed a few days later when a nurse asked, “Has anybody introduced you to the Leukaemia Foundation?”
Within a day, a Leukaemia Foundation Healthcare Professional visited Ian and Cheryl in the hospital, offering them accommodation in the Leukaemia Foundation ESA Village in Brisbane.
“The Leukaemia Foundation came up trumps when we needed them. There was always support available, and somebody to talk to. I built up a pretty good relationship with a number of staff there.”
I stayed in that unit for two years. To start with, Cheryl’s treatment was one week on and three weeks off, so she was a week in the hospital, then three weeks off with me. She was too ill to go back home to Hervey Bay, so we had to stay within an hour or so of the hospital.
“It was a lifesaver during a very dark time. Great facilities in the village, wonderful staff and support, and somebody always available for a one-to-one if needed. The connections were that strong that I still keep in touch with some of them today, 13 years later.
Ian was able to access these vital facilities and support services thanks to the generosity of Leukaemia Foundation supporters, fundraisers and donors – and he’s forever grateful.
After two years in hospital, and three months in rehab, Cheryl was able to return home despite requiring ongoing treatment every four weeks.
After another eight years of some triumphs and many setbacks – with Cheryl having ‘as good a quality of life as possible’ – she succumbed to another infection and was flown to the Wesley for the final time in July 2022.
Despite the extraordinary efforts of many different medical professionals, Cheryl’s treatment was withdrawn in September 2022.
Ian said his final goodbyes to Cheryl, as she peacefully passed away with one of her favourite nurses holding her hand, talking quietly to her.
At Cheryl’s funeral, Ian was ‘humbled’ when he saw representatives from both the Wesley Hospital and the Leukaemia Foundation in attendance.
“I was absolutely amazed,” Ian recalls. “We had seven nurses from the hospital turn up, plus friends from the Leukaemia Foundation. Cheryl would have been delighted with the turn out.”
This outpouring of support prompted Ian to reflect on all of the incredible people they had met throughout Cheryl’s ten-year blood cancer journey.
Over that period, we met so many caring and giving people. Every day there was somebody that made you feel just a little bit better or brought a smile to your face.
“The support goes on, it really does. I’m still talking to some of the nurses at the hospital. I’m still in touch with representatives from the Leukaemia Foundation. I know that all I’ve got to do is pick the phone up and somebody is there to listen.
Wanting to give back to the people and organisations that helped him and Cheryl when they needed it most, they both decided to leave a gift in Will to the Leukaemia Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
We started regular donations to each of these wonderful charities, and I’ve kept them going now even three years after Cheryl passed. It’s something I shall keep doing for as long as I can.
Ian also supports the blood cancer community by regularly donating plasma at his local Lifeblood centre, helping ensure patients like Cheryl have ongoing access to potentially life-saving blood transfusions.
“We both decided that we would also leave a gift in our Wills to the Leukaemia Foundation and RFDS. If we can give back a little for everything that both of those organisations gave to us, then I will be happy.”
This Free Wills Fortnight, leave a legacy of care and support by including a gift in your Will to the Leukaemia Foundation
Like Ian and Cheryl, you can help ensure Australians facing blood cancer are supported not just today, but for generations to come. A gift in your Will can be the reason someone with blood cancer has a safe place to stay near treatment and the emotional support they need to cope.
This Free Wills Fortnight from March 16-30, you can write your Will for free in just 20 minutes thanks to our partners at Safewill, using their easy-to-use, online platform.
When creating your free Will, please consider including a gift in your Will to the Leukaemia Foundation. It’s a powerful act of love that ripples into the future, to surround people with the best possible blood cancer care.
Your decision today will leave a lasting legacy tomorrow. In appreciation, you will be welcomed into our special community of givers, the Big Hearts Society.
Above all, Ian wants to ensure more Australians get the life-changing support that he and Cheryl received – and remind others to treasure both the time you have, and the people you love.
By leaving a gift in my Will, I want to ensure that organisations like the Leukaemia Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service can continue their invaluable work, so that others can benefit when they’re confronting very difficult times and decisions.
“At the end of the day, none of us know what’s around the corner. For the people that you care about – say good things to them today. Be kind to them today. Hug them today. Tell them that you love them today. Because sometimes, tomorrow is too late.
