Alan’s Story

Noreen and Alan

It was that one phone call in 2019 in Temora – after years of blood tests, the last test meant a visit to a urologist. It felt out of the blue that Alan was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It had spread to his seminal vesicle, which is a pair of small tubular glands. This meant that surgery was not an option for Alan. The treatment for Alan was radiation every day for 8 weeks, and then hormone injections every three months for 2 years.  

Alan wanted to be home every night of his treatment, despite being very sick and suffering through the 85km trip home from Wagga. It took a lot out of him, but he wanted to be home with his wife who was on dialysis every night.  

“My husband is a very independent man and always pays his own way. It was very hard for him to accept help”. But his wife Noreen knew that they needed assistance. They were retired and were getting overwhelmed by the unexpected costs that come with cancer, and the costs of traveling for treatment. So, Noreen reached out to Can Assist Temora. “It was the best thing I ever did”. 

Not only did Can Assist assisted with financial support (pharmaceutical bills, fuel vouchers…), but also emotional support “someone to talk to … very understanding … more like talking to a friend”. Can Assist even surprised them with a great big Xmas hamper and a Xmas IGA voucher to cheer Alan and Noreen up – which was wonderful as at this stage Alan was mid-way through his treatment. 

*As told by wife Noreen