Lee’s Story

Back in summer 2023 Lee was at home in Junee, tolerating what she thought were hemorrhoids. Her GP referred Lee for a colonoscopy in Wagga and to a colorectal surgeon. After more tests, it was discovered that Lee didn’t have hemorrhoids but anal canal adenocarcinoma – a very rare, very aggressive cancer of the sphincter muscle – an unlucky cancer. 

Lee’s treatment plan was to try to retain her sphincter so starting in April she had radiotherapy in Wagga, and oral chemotherapy at the same time – 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Then Lee had non-oral chemo after that. Her treatment finished in November. 

Lee knew of Can Assist in Junee due to their local fundraising and knew that she would need to approach them if she wanted assistance. And Lee knew that she would need assistance – from friends she knew cancer was financially taxing as well as emotionally and physically taxing. And Lee had retired, and her husband had just retired. Can Assist assisted with out-of-pocket costs at the Riverina Cancer Care Centre for Lee’s radiotherapy and chemotherapy, pharmaceutical bills and gap expenses associated with specialists’ bills. “It was absolutely amazing to have such support. I’m so grateful that we have Can assist out here in the country, because it’s so far for people to go to their treatment. Can Assist talked to me about how best they could support me – I wasn’t on my journey alone so there was emotional support as well which was wonderful”. 

As of August 2024, Lee is back on the cancer merry-go-round as Lee has the unluckiest cancer – again. She will be reaching out to Can Assist again as she doesn’t know what her new cancer journey will entail.