Patricia Curnow remembers looking back at photos with her grandchildren from Christmas last year with not a care in the world, not knowing that three weeks later her life would change forever.
The 68-year-old Brisbane local was diagnosed with Stage 3 Fallopian Tube cancera disease where abnormal cells split without control and spread to other nearby body tissue and/or organs in January, a rare form of cancer that she had never even heard of.
“Since my diagnosisthe process of identifying a disease based on signs and symptoms, patient history and medical test results, it has been a whirlwind. I had never heard of rare cancers before my diagnosis, let alone fallopian tube cancer,” Patricia exclaims.
“My mother had breast cancer, so I’ve always been very diligent with mammograms thinking that that was where my riskthe possibility that something bad will happen was. When in reality, there are so many other cancers out there that you just don’t hear about,” she said.
Married to her husband, Paul, of 48 years, and with three children and six grandchildren, Patricia’s life has been a full one. With a passion for travelling, she and Paul would often go caravaning across Australia and the world.
It wasn’t until late last year that she started to experience sudden and irregular bowelportion of the digestive system that digests food (small bowel) and absorbs salts and water (large bowel); also called intestines symptoms that sparked her concern.
“I went to the doctor and did some standard tests which came back clear, but I knew something was still just not right. Thankfully, my doctor listened and sent me for an abdominal CT scan. I went back for the results and was blown away. She told me I had cancer,” Patricia reflects.
“I was looked after immediately, seeing my surgeon that very same week. I was promptly booked in for a laparoscopya minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses small incisions to access the body for procedures, also known as keyhole surgery, where they discovered the tumoura tissue mass that forms from groups of unhealthy cells had grown outside of the fallopian tube, but not yet into the bowel.
“Luckily, they managed to remove all of the tumour, however I now have to live with a colostomy baga small, waterproof pouch used to collect waste after a colostomy has been performed, a consequence I’m still coming to terms with, but I also acknowledge that it’s the reason I’m still above the ground,” she said.
Patricia and her husband Paul
After recovering from the surgerytreatment involving removal of cancerous tissue and/or tumours and a margin of healthy tissue around it to reduce recurrence for a couple of weeks at home, Patricia started chemotherapya cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, while minimising damage to healthy cells at an Icon Cancer Centre in Brisbane. She is currently undergoing six rounds of chemo, with each round taking about eight hours every three weeks.
“The staff at Icon are magnificent. The nurses and doctors are just so kind, caring and wonderful and really look after me for the whole time that I’m there,” says Patricia.
“My counsellor at Icon has been amazing too, she listens as I talk through my ups and downs, like my hair loss, extreme fatiguea state of extreme tiredness or exhaustion, can be physical or mental and the colostomya surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the colon that allows stool to pass through the abdomen, can be temporary or permanent bag, and she’s been excellent in helping me approach conversations about my cancer with my grandchildren.
“She also put me in touch with Rare Cancers Australia, who have provided wonderful support and even put me in touch with another woman who has the same rare cancer type as my own. We communicate often, sharing stories and photos of our similar cancer experiences. She’s two years post diagnosis and doing well, so connecting with her has given me great hope.
“My outlook on life has changed completely since my diagnosis,” Patricia continued.
“I’ve learnt that each day is precious, my family is precious, and I no longer sweat the small stuff. It’s funny, I used to let people push me around a bit, if they’d say something unkind or hurtful I’d stay quiet. But now I’m like a mouse that roars, I don’t have time for that negativity in my life anymore, now I’m speaking up for myself.
When asked what final message she’d like to leave others, Patricia said, “I think the main thing is to listen to your instinct. Do not ignore the symptoms, the quicker you act the better your chance of survival,” she stated.
Help Rare Cancers Australia and Icon Cancer Centre raise awareness about rare cancers and the stories of people living with them, like Patricia, by pledging your support this Rare Cancers Australia Day on Wednesday 26 June. Visit www.rarecancers.org.au/pledge to help make everyone more aware of rare!