My name is Anita and I’m fighting a tough battle with lung cancer.
I am 44 years old, married with two beautiful boys aged 6 and 10. An accountant by profession working 1 day a week, fit healthy and have never been a smoker. I eat well and exercise daily to keep my body and mind in good working order.
I was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Adenocarcinoma, stage 3a in January 2014. At the time of diagnosis they found a 4cm tumour on my right lung and cancer in a few lymph nodes. The tumour is inoperable.
It all began with a persistent cough that was treated with several cycles of antibiotics lasting about a year. During that year I had numerous blood tests, x-rays and sputum tests. I also started working as a tutor at a university so my hoarse voice was put down to increased use. Other symptoms I had over the years were attributed to thyroid issues, a hoarse throat and exhaustion. I decided to get off the antibiotics rollercoaster. It was only a minor but persistent cough with very small amounts of phlegm every now and then.
We moved to Brisbane at the beginning of 2013. Same persistent cough, same symptoms, same tests with inconclusive results. It was around this time that I was getting a sharp pain under my right rib. I thought perhaps I had pulled a muscle while coughing at night. The pain subsided over 3 or so weeks. Not long after that I got a few sharp pains in the middle of my chest. I had an ECG and a cardio stress test, results suggested stress.
In November 2013, I started getting very fine streaks of blood in my phlegm. The GP sent me to an ENT specialist, who then sent me for a CT scan. I delayed the CT scan for a whole month because I was too busy and did not think a cough warranted too much stress. Little did I know! I started getting the pain back under my ribs so thought it was time to get CT scan done. That was the week before Christmas. On the 30th of December I was celebrating my sister’s birthday when I got a call from the ENT specialist. A 4cm lump in the right side of my chest was detected and blood tests along with a PET scan were required as soon as possible.
The PET scan produced bad news. They then did a bronchoscope, samples came back as stage 3a, non-small cell carcinoma (Adenocarcinoma). I never thought I was a candidate for lung cancer.
Our family have been an active part of Relay for Life (Cancer Council WA) since 2005, before my diagnosis. I was often questioned about my involvement. I guess I truly believed if I helped patients and their families, karma would dictate that this would never happen to me. This year will be our 10th Relay for Life.
My treatment journey started with chemo (Cisplatin and Paclitaxol) for 9 weeks. This was followed by 40 radiation sessions over 8 weeks, combined with chemo (Etoposide and Cisplatin). Unfortunately there was no significant improvement resulting from my treatments.
I had another broncoscopy to get more tissue sample for testing. Good news, I tested positive to Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) fusion gene. It’s a rare gene only found in 3-7% of lung cancers. This has opened up options of target therapy treatments for me, in particular Crizotinib. I started taking Crizotinib at a cost to me of $7,500 per month (60 tablets). Crizotinib is not listed on PBS and I have been unsuccessful in accessing the drug on compassionate grounds. Mum and Dad have paid for my first month and friends are fundraising to help me pay for subsequent months. The support I have from family and friends is overwhelming. It’s a tough journey but I’m a fighter and believe with access to the most current medication I will live many more years than expected and enjoy watching my 2 boys grow into beautiful young men.
My main focus at the moment is pushing to have access to Crizotinib at an affordable price through the PBS system for both myself and other ALK positive lung cancer survivors.
"Please note that all monies donated to Rare Cancers Australia Limited are used charitably at the discretion of the RCA Board of Directors. The wishes of donors are, wherever possible, taken into account by the Board when allocating available funds.”
Thank you to my Sponsors
$7.5k
Jost Australia Pty Limited
$5k
Sharon And Greg Sheppard
$4.35k
Amec Australia Pty Ltd
From your friends at AMEC, stay strong Anita xx
$3k
Brissie & Ballina Tshirt Crew
Your battle is our battle, we'll fight until you WIN! Lots of love, from us all Anita
$1.5k
Greg From Extreme
$1,000
The String Art Co.
Hi Anita, here are the funds raised from our string art workshop on the weekend.
$1,000
Greg From Extreme
$1,000
Mhairi And Robbie
Sorry for the delay in processing the donations from our cocktail night, love M & R
$1,000
Greg From Extreme
$530
Rjh Redlands
Best Wishes
$500
The Great Escape Camping
$500
Dsk
$500
Wayne Batson Founder Of Australian Civil Haulage
Just get better!
$500
Kathi Harp
$500
Greg From Extreme
$500
Rca Transfer
$500
D&t
Good luck & keep fighting!
$500
Dalwood-wylie Foundation
All the best for your treatment from Helena Wylie, Managing Director of the Dalwood-Wylie Foundation
$400
Aileen
Anita, I wish you well. Clare has told me a little about you. Hopefully my contribution assists.
$350
Denise Belcher
Hi Mate, Stay strong and keep motivated. You are an inspiration to us all!
$300
Tania Watt
You are an amazing person with such a beautiful personality. All our love.
$250
Richard And Kate Vines
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
$250
Van Padayachee (avatari & Family)
Your contribution to Canning Vale Primary School was invaluable. Stay strong beautiful lady.
$250
Karel Groeneweg
Hi Anita and family, I hope you achieve success with your campaign and also a healthy result for you
$250
Mick Mc Bride
best wishes, hope this helps.
$250
Uncle Allan And Auntie Julieanne
We are all thinking of you. Keep fighting
$250
Clark Family
Positive thoughts from us all - Rachel, Ed, Hannah and Leo
$250
Martin Tobias
$250
Rachael
Choc Box Fundraising with lots of help from Lisa, Fay, Emily & Rich and the Virgin Australia Team!xx
$250
Lisa And Michael Anderson (friends Of Mhairi, Theresa And Nicky)
Every day is precious and I hope our gift helps give you more.
$250
Linda Cardiff
Anita, I haven't seen you for many years, but Nicky told me about your story. Thinking of you! xx
$250
Rachael Mason
Choc Fundraising Money from everyone at Virgin :)
$250
Dsk
$200
Anonymous
Stay in there. More treatments are coming!
$200
Inta
Wishing you ongoing good health
$200
Beesley Family
Heartfelt wishes with the continuing fight . In awe of your strength.
$200
Louise
sorry I just got round to this
$150
Magdalena Veskovik
$150
Ange Matthews
Donation from Cocktail Night, Dave and Ange
$150
Conplant Pty Ltd
Good Luck Anita!
$140
Diane Waldron
$110
Colette And Simon
Donation from cocktail night
$100
Jill
These stories are so sad but also filled with courage and determination - compelled me to donate
$100
Inta
I understand your fears. I hope this helps to improve your health
$100
Rca Transfer
$100
John And Tamara
Your boys are lucky to have a mum with such spirit
$100
Veronika
Anita, , I wish you all the best.. I understand what it means to have cancer.
$100
Diane Gilbert
Anita, you are a brave,strong and inspirational woman. Thinking of you and your lovely family. Xxx
$100
Tom
$100
Rca Transfer
$100
John
best of luck Anita
$100
Magiatis Family
I hope together we can help you spend more precious years with your beautiful kids. Good luck.
$100
Lori Olson
Missing you!! xx Hugs and love from afar.
$100
Tony & Ann
Keep strong
$100
Mick Mc Bride
best wishes, have strength, my prayers are for you & your family.
$100
Judy Boorse
Lori Olson's Mother in Canada Good luck with your battle!
$100
Lance Sutherland
We wish you all the very best for a speedy recovery
$100
Tania Jayesuria
All the best Anita. Great to see how much support the Sick or Treat initiative has brought your way
$100
Tania Sagastume
SENDING LUV AND GET WELL WISHES TO YOU ANITA XX
$100
Lai Family
Best wishes., hope this helps.
$100
The Parry Family
Thinking of you
$100
Masum Hossain
Best wishes Anita
$100
Walter Matthews
Love to you
$100
Jackie Davis
I am good friends with Nicky Wright and feel very touched by your story. Wishing you all the best.
$100
Jawad Shamsi
Best of luck Anita
$100
Nicky & Colin
For Mhairi and Theresa's Fundraising Cocktail night. Thanks Ladies, it was a great evening.. xx
$100
Sue And Andrew Tam
Keep up the good fight, Anita. Positive vibes from Canada.
$100
Andy Angus
$100
Lorraine Rowbottom (cocktail Night)
$100
Gary Burns (cocktail Night)
$100
Jon
$100
Tom & Deb
$100
Christine And David
Wishing you all the best in 2015
$100
Nadine
I was truly touched by your story at last week's conference Anita. All my best wishes go to you!
$100
Irene Woods
cocktail night donation
$100
Wayne Leslie
Donation from Cocktail Party, Wayne and Sian
$100
Chris Ollier
Donation from Cocktail night, Julie and Chris
$100
Whiteynamy
Sending lots of sunshine and love to you, Anita.....Amy, Tony and the kids xxxxx
$100
Susan Timms
$90
Tim Marshall
Donation from cocktail night, Tim and Linley
$50
Susan Pattison
I really hope people jump on board and donate for you Anita.
$50
Guy & Faye
Thinking of you Anita and your family
$50
Danielle Bodinnar
$50
Retiree
$50
Leonie (peanuts Daughter)
Xo
$50
Jo And Julio
From one ALK patient to another. We understand the strain and the need for medication xxxxx
$50
Carissa Morris (watt) Julie Wills & Family
Stay Strong and Keep Fighting Anita. Thinking of You and Your Family. Xx
$50
Robyn Reid
Anita you are in our thoughts all our well wishes are going your way Love Rob, Russ & Tekani
$50
A Numbat Xxx
$50
Annie O'grady
Love you Anita xxxxx
$50
Sturgess
All the best, friends of Ashley G.
$50
The Findlay Family
All the best Anita.
$50
Andrew Thirlwell
Stay positive and keep fighting!
$50
Donna
Cocktails ala Mhairi & Theresa.... It put the fun in fundraiser Neets! X
$50
Alison
all the best
$50
Cheryl Alldridge
All the best Anita, hope you get a win real soon. xx
$50
Leith Dalton
$50
Marie Farrow (cocktail Night)
$50
Peter Rodden
$50
Sally
About time I got around to doing this. T shirt being worn regularly!
$50
Tristyn
$50
Janise Stephenson
Donation from cocktail night, Janise
$50
Suzannah Randle
Donation from cocktail night, suzannah
$50
Annie O'grady
October donation
$50
Annie O'grady
November donation
$50
Annie O'grady
December donation
$50
Annie O'grady
January donation
$50
Annie O'grady
February donation
$50
Annie O'grady
With all my love
$50
Megan R
I wish you all the best and hope you win your battle
$50
Amanda
Wishing you every success in you quest to regain your health.
$50
Annie O'grady
$50
Guy Tome
Best of luck!
$50
Gene
wishing you all the best in your fight,
$50
Miriam
Just wishing you all the luck you need, and some more Anita!
$50
Rca Transfer
$34
Rca Transfer
All the Best! You can do this!
$30
Ken, Jane And The Girls
Hey Wonderwoman, keep strong. The donation is the money we would've spent on Ashley for her birthday
$30
Kellie Lord
Have a happy Christmas, praying for you Xx
$20
Jacquee
Wishing you much happiness and health.
$20
Dhiraj
Hi Anita, read your story on the age website today. My families prayers and best wishes are with u..
$20
Chris De Marchi
$20
Suzanne Mccarthy
Anita, I hope you get the support you deserve! Best of luck!
$20
Sherryn
stay strong Anita. Xoxo
$20
Annabel Rose
$20
Max
You have my support and prayers
$20
Peter
Anita, I wish you and your family all the very best in your journey ahead. Your story is inspiring.
$20
Geoff
Hope this helps
$20
Rad
Best of luck, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
$20
Anonymous
Best wishes to you and your family. Thank you Elle_fit for telling people about this page.
$20
Jaimee
Donating through Elle_fit , hope it helps
$20
Alex
Never lose hope
$20
Khoi
Wishing you a long, healthy and happy life
$20
Tania Chapman
Much love today and always beautiful friend
$20
Mary
Friend of Mhairi and Teresa
$20
Helen Halliday
Love and hugs Anita xxx
$20
Sue
$20
Kellie
Stay strong, praying for you <3
$20
Alan (colleague Of Ashley!)
Ashley wore her 'Anita' t-shirt last Friday. She told me your story so thought I'd help a little!
$20
Emma
Wishing you hope and strength, Anita.
$20
Tan And Bronny
From your Woodrush buddies xxx
$20
Rca Transfer
$20
Angela
xxx
$20
Hayley
Wishing you all the luck and happiness in the world :) xx
$20
Paula
$20
Thames K
$15
Alyssa
Merry Christmas, I am giving this to you as my Mum's Christmas present.
$10
Kaye White
Happy to donate to a lovely lady
$10
Priscilla Umaria
$10
Rachel
All of the best with your treatment x
$10
Laura Kelly
thanks Elle for raising awareness
$10
Lisa Nordstrom
All the best xx
$10
Heather
$10
Bridget Pendergast
$10
Marcia
Via elle_fit. Thinking of you. Xo
$10
Nicole Marie Lebedz
$10
@a_rob147
Thank @elle_fit for this. I wish you all the best with your treatment and long-term health. Andrew.
$10
Voula Yates
$10
Rca Transfer
$10
Ricky - Colleague Of Sally
$5
Zara Mokrzycki
Best Wishes
$5
Helen Hoi Ling Leung
$5
Kk
Get well soon
$5
Sam Campbell
Sending lots of love to you & your family. Stay strong and keep fighting, you're an inspiration!
$5
Andrea
Thank Elle for raising awareness! All the best
$5
Jo
You're a brave woman, keep on going. Xx Love from me via elle fit
$5
Deb
Prayers are with u
$5
Jade
$5
Emily
Elle fit sent me here. Keep fighting!
$5
Rca Transfer
You can beat this!
$5
Rca Transfer
$5
Kate
Xxx
$5
Melody
$5
A Friend Of Cassie And Patrick
$5
Alicia Cable
Stay strong
Wishing you all the best with your campaign and your journey ahead. Hoping for a healthy outcome.