Vicki's Story
Upon reading Vicki’s story her outlook might just surprise you.
“It all started with a backache and ended with an appendix operation, hysterectomy, cancer, PET scan, bowel resection, bowel perforation, colostomy bag and chemo,” said Vicki.
Yet Vicki explains her experience as “A journey full of warmth and kindness, caring and love and brought out my faith in other human beings.”
How does a woman endure this list of horrors, and then say it was a journey of caring and love? The answer is support.
When Vicki first had the backache, she didn’t think much of it. But then one evening, just after cooking dinner, “I closed the fridge door and doubled up in pain. I knew I was in trouble. It was a pain I’ve never experienced before…”
Vicki was rushed to hospital, where a CT scan revealed a huge mass. At first it was thought to be an abscess. “It had ruptured and spread throughout my stomach.”
She was given emergency surgery to remove her appendix, and then a hysterectomy. After three weeks, Vicki’s doctor called her in and gave her the news: she had a rare cancerous tumour.
For Vicki, support and a ‘safe place’ at one of our special accommodation centres, John Opie House in Tasmania was vital during her months of treatment.
“John Opie House was a huge part of my support system,” Vicki agrees, “I was facing another operation and had to have a bowel resection at the Royal Hobart Hospital…”
It didn’t go well. “I awoke in intensive care with a colostomy bag. I could only move my eyes, my eyelids and my mouth – it was a very intense and difficult journey.”
Vicki says fondly of her time in our accommodation with other patients and their families, “We shared a real sense of support and friendship because we all had something in common. At the end of the day we were able to talk which was therapeutic for everyone – especially for me.”
Today Vicki is getting stronger, “Looking back at my long journey, it was painted with joy and sadness,” she says, “I was totally vulnerable, yet people showed such care… I recognised the power of humanity.”
To help give comfort and hope to other patients like Vicki and their families please show your support and donate today.