Pamela Todd's Story
Pamela Todd
For me, the important things in life are people. So I’ve always gravitated toward workplaces and activities that deal with people. I worked at Fisher Library at Sydney University for many years which was great because I just love to read.
When my husband and I were reaching retirement age we bought a little sandstone cottage in Redfern which we planned to do up for our retirement. It was a great spot because we could walk into the city and to the libraries. But at that time we found out that my husband had colon cancer. It was a real shock to us because we thought we were both in good health. He didn’t have any symptoms until it was too late so the cancer was very advanced by the time he was diagnosed. It was a devastating experience; we weren’t prepared for the breath-taking advance of the cancer. We didn’t even get the cottage renovation finished before my husband died.
During his experience of cancer my husband found out about a clinical trial that he may have been able to participate in. This gave him real hope and strength to fight the disease, but unfortunately further tests showed that his cancer was too advanced to allow him to take part in the trial and he soon passed away. I think clinical trials are hugely beneficial not just because of the medical progress they help to make but also because of the hope they offer to patients.
In 2004, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. It struck fear into my heart because I didn’t know how advanced the cancer was, all I could think about was the swift progress of my husband’s cancer. I was fortunate because my cancer was stage one and I was able to have treatment for that. I felt really lucky and thought I had better do something to help support others who experience colorectal cancer.
Despite its prevalence, there is very little interest in colorectal cancer in the wider community. It has a low-profile right across the world because people don’t like to talk about bottoms and poo, they’re taboo. The lack of attention paid to colorectal cancer is very disappointing because this disease is so treatable.
During his experience of cancer my husband found out about a clinical trial that he may have been able to participate in. This gave him real hope and strength to fight the disease, but unfortunately further tests showed that his cancer was too advanced to allow him to take part in the trial and he soon passed away. I think clinical trials are hugely beneficial not just because of the medical progress they help to make but also because of the hope they offer to patients.
In 2004, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. It struck fear into my heart because I didn’t know how advanced the cancer was, all I could think about was the swift progress of my husband’s cancer. I was fortunate because my cancer was stage one and I was able to have treatment for that. I felt really lucky and thought I had better do something to help support others who experience colorectal cancer.
Despite its prevalence, there is very little interest in colorectal cancer in the wider community. It has a low-profile right across the world because people don’t like to talk about bottoms and poo, they’re taboo. The lack of attention paid to colorectal cancer is very disappointing because this disease is so treatable.