Stories - Leukaemia Foundation

Talking Blood Cancer: Overcoming needle phobia and acute myeloid leukaemia

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff speaks with Cathy Koning about her experience living with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Grief and loss
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Support services
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Facing young loss

In this episode of the Talking Blood Cancer podcast, host Kate Arkadieff engages in a heartfelt conversation with Lauren Smith about her experiences surrounding blood cancer. Unlike the usual patient stories shared on the podcast, Lauren recounts her journey accompanying her late husband, Jake, through his battle with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when both were just 21 years old.

Grief and loss
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Support services
Treatments and side-effects

It took six months to diagnose Kerry’s blood cancer – sadly, she’s not alone

Kerry Boyenga was diagnosed with Australia’s most common type of blood cancer. But she said it wasn’t even on her GP’s radar.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Treatments and side-effects

Talking Blood Cancer: Mother-daughter cancer warriors

Join Kate Arkadieff and Theresa Webb as they delve into non-Hodgkin's lymphoma & acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (leukemia) journeys for patients and families on the Talking Blood Cancer podcast by Leukaemia Foundation.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Physiotherapist and lymphoma survivor Julie Allen on cancer related fatigue

Discover how physiotherapist Julie Allen tackles cancer fatigue and lymphoma, enhancing the quality of life and survival for blood cancer patients.

Interviews with experts
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Theresa Webb: ‘I’ve always been a survivor’

Blood cancer casts a long shadow over many Australian families, but for Theresa Webb and her family, its shadow has been longer than most. Theresa was first diagnosed with blood cancer in 2002 after discovering a small hard lump near her collarbone. A biopsy revealed the then 30-year-old had a type of blood cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Carers
Lifestyle and living well
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Theresa with her daughters, Summer and Jessi, on the day of her stem cell transplant

Lorie and Troy were on their way to the GP for results – hours later Lorie was in ICU

In February 2021, Lorie Sarson was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), putting her and husband Troy in immediate financial distress due to treatment and transport costs.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Expert Series: physiotherapist Julie Allen works with cancer patients to improve quality of life and survival

When Julie Allen was diagnosed with lymphoma as a young professional mum, she thought she'd go straight back to work after treatment. But afterwards she literally felt “stripped bare”.

Interviews with experts
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Vicky’s two miracle babies post-treatment

Vicky Pellowe was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Vicky and her husband had only been married six months, both working long hours as FIFO workers in Western Australia. Vicky speaks about the shock of mental recovery post treatment - how to try and remain positive while experiencing fear of relapse, side effects, potential infertility, body changes and loss of employment or finances. She also speaks about the journey into motherhood and how she was blessed with two miracle babies post treatment, without IVF.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Diagnosed during the pandemic: Renae’s story

Picture this - it was the year 2021 and Melbourne had just come out of its 5th lockdown. Renae and her partner, Sam escaped the 5km radius and went to the beach. Renae remembers feeling a lump in her throat which she thought could have been tonsillitis. One doctor's visit changed Renae's life - she was diagnosed with anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma. Renae talks about what it was like to be diagnosed during the Covid-19 pandemic in Melbourne, and how hospital restrictions impacted her support network during some of the toughest times of her treatment.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Graham’s treatment severely impacted his quality of life

Adelaide man Graham Lewis had two stem-cell transplants and was left with severe graft-versus-host disease. He believes the existence of OCPs would have greatly improved his quality of life.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Robin travelled 1,100km to receive a diagnosis

This episode tells the story of Robin Matthews. Robin is a dump truck diver from the APY Lands in far north South Australia, building roads for Indigenous communities. Robin was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma in 2021, and talks about what it was like to face a diagnosis in a rural area of Australia, just months after losing his wife to cancer. Robin shares how his family gave him strength in his darkest days and how finding a community within the Leukaemia Foundation helped him manage his diagnosis.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Esther considers herself “very lucky” she was diagnosed early

Last updated on February 9th, 2022Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment […]

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Christina’s journey as carer

In December 2015, Christina was living in Byron Bay and studying at medical school, when her boyfriend at the time, singer-songwriter Timothy James Bowen was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In this episode, Christina reflects on how her knowledge as a doctor influenced how she managed her role as a carer, and how her life was impacted by Timothy's diagnosis. She discusses how important family was during this time and how they all rallied together to help Timothy.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

How blood cancer helped Esther find her authentic self

In 2016, Esther Xu’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Up to that point, Esther had led quite a smooth, high-achieving life, ticking off most of her parents’ wish list. Esther was living in Australia, but is originally from Shanghai in China. Not only did Esther have to deal with the physical effects of a blood cancer diagnosis, she also had to deal with the emotional and cultural complexities.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Coping with lymphoma and motherhood

Julie Allen lived with vague symptoms for quite some time – back pain, flu-like symptoms – but she explained these away with her busy life as a physiotherapist and mother of three young kids. But, after a few rounds of antibiotics, things didn't get better. Julie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Expert Series: Dr Piers Blombery on genomic testing

Dr Piers Blombery explains the basics of molecular testing which informs the treatment of blood cancer.

Hodgkin lymphoma
Interviews with experts
Myeloma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Research
Treatments and side-effects

Improving infection prevention with drug optimisation

Julian Lindsay’s goal is to set up an international study aimed at improving survival and quality of life through drug optimisation.

Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Research
Treatments and side-effects

Study examines COVID-19 vaccine response in low-grade lymphoma

An Australian study will examine the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with the low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Research

PBAC to consider three lymphoma drugs

Last updated on June 8th, 2022 Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, […]

Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Treatments and side-effects