I’m Trudi, and I’m from the South of Adelaide. One day, I noticed pain in my ovaries while on an exercise bike at the gym. I had surgery to remove the growths just a day after my 40th birthday in March of 2016. I was lucky to have my partner home from work for support, and at the time my daughter was 4 years old and had just started Kindergarten.

When the results came back, I got the call from the surgeon telling me that I had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and that’s when my blood cancer journey began. He said the surgery went well, but I would need chemotherapy to ensure the cancer didn’t return. I stopped hearing his words at that point, and had to grab my partner to listen to the next steps. I went into a state of disbelief. It was all a blur from there.

After my surgery, I was booked in to have a bone marrow biopsy and some further scans. I was at the point where I wanted to know more about blood cancer, and that’s when I found the Leukaemia Foundation’s website. I found some information and more about the support they offered. I called and told them how freaked out I was, and the Leukaemia Foundation offered the support I’d need to get through the next six months. A Leukaemia Foundation Blood Cancer Support Coordinator visited me in hospital during my treatment.

“The visits helped me feel less alone in my blood cancer as none of my friends or family had experience. I felt reassured and comfortable knowing I had a blood cancer health professional that I could ask questions and speak with.”

Following my surgery I couldn't drive, and on occasions when nobody could drive me to the hospital, I was able to book for a Leukaemia Foundation volunteer to drive me to the hospital. They were so friendly and caring. I don’t think I could have been able to catch the bus to the hospital. I could barely walk comfortably around the house at the time.

They also provided financial support that assisted us to cover some of the parking costs at the hospital for appointments and stays which was a huge help given how expensive hospital parking can be.

The hospital visits, speaking with a blood cancer support expert, and transport and financial assistance all helped me and my family greatly. It what was a very challenging and dark time in my life, and I’m very grateful for the Leukaemia Foundation for making it so much easier.