For Russell, it all began with a simple visit to the doctor. A long history of health problems, from frequent bouts of bronchitis to persistent heartburn, had him worried. But it wasn’t until he was sent to Christchurch Hospital for a closer look down his throat with a camera that the doctors discovered the truth: cancer. The diagnosis felt surreal - just another thing on top of the years of struggle with his health.
I had heartburn for years. I didn’t know what it was, but it was burning inside, and it kept getting worse.
This burning sensation wasn’t just heartburn, though. It was a sign of something much more serious, and soon, Adele and I found ourselves making the long journey to Christchurch for further tests.
In Christchurch, the scans confirmed it: Cancer. My oesophagus had been full of cancer, and that burning heartburn sensation was the symptom I’d been living with for years.
Everything started happening so quickly after the diagnosis. We were sent to Dunedin Hospital for surgery, and I was later told if I hadn’t had that surgery fast, the disease would have killed me.
April 1st, three years ago, was the day of my surgery. It was a big 12-hour operation - removing half my stomach and creating a new oesophagus tube. I wasn’t prepared for how complicated it would be. They opened up my back to do the surgery.
After that, I was hooked up to machines and hoses like something out of a sci-fi movie.
I thought I’d be fine. I thought I’d bounce back quickly, but recovery was so much harder than I expected. I couldn’t eat. I had a tube in my stomach to get food in me but it kept getting infected so they had to remove it and instead put it up my nose. For months, I had a machine keeping me alive every night. I felt weak. I lost a lot of weight - 10 to 11 stone -and for a while, I couldn’t even swallow properly. Trying to eat made me feel sick, and I’d struggle to keep anything down. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
But through all of this, I wasn’t alone. Adele, my partner of over 40 years, was there with me every step of the way. She kept track of all my appointments, wrote everything down, and took care of all the paperwork. She was my lifeline. When I couldn’t even think straight, she was the one holding everything together. I honestly don’t know how I would’ve made it through without her. She sat with me at the hospital every day.
Adele was amazing, but it wasn’t just her. We were lucky to have Jo from the Ngā Kete Cancer Kaiarahi Service, who became an essential part of our journey. Jo was more than just a navigator - she was a guide and a friend. She’d pick me up and take me to appointments, help us navigate all the medical information, and translate all the jargon into something we could understand. It was like having someone on our side, helping us make sense of everything. Jo was always there when we needed her, answering questions and providing support.
I’ll never forget how much Jo’s help meant. She was our constant throughout all of it. She was someone who made everything feel less overwhelming, less scary. If we ever needed anything, she was just a phone call away.
Even now, it feels like a day-by-day thing. I still struggle with infections, and the doctors aren’t always sure why, but I’m still here. My health isn’t perfect, but I’m pushing through. Adele and I have started going to Manaaki Manawa, the Cancer Support Group, which has been helpful. It’s been good to talk to others who are going through the same thing. We all share the experience of cancer, and it feels like a safe space to talk about our struggles.
Cancer is brutal. It’s a long road, and there are so many questions along the way. But I’m here today because of the people around me - Adele, Jo, and everyone who has supported us. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but I’m grateful for the strength and support I’ve had from those who have been there for me. They’ve made all the difference.
