Tag Archive for: Blue Mountains

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Cymbeline’s Story

Held by Her Community in times of Hardship  

Cymbeline Buhler King was living in New York when the twin towers fell on 9/11. Cymbeline survived this awful experience but now faces a more personal hardship.

In 2017, Cymbeline noticed a lump in her breast. Despite being told initially by her GP not to worry, it grew and was visibly larger at her next GP visit. The cancer was confirmed. She underwent surgery at Westmead Hospital, six months of chemotherapy, then daily radiation at Nepean hospital — a demanding schedule, made even harder by the commute from the Blue Mountains. 

“The radiation was like a corrosive effect,” Cymbeline recalled. “I had trouble breathing and severe burns. The side effects were downplayed, but they took a huge toll”.

Years later, Cymbeline’s cancer returned. This time, it had metastasised into her bones. She’s now on lifelong cancer treatment including hormone therapy and cell cycle blocking therapy, each of which brings its own challenges: fatigue, pain, and heightened menopause symptoms.  

Cymbeline’s life now revolves around ongoing treatment and managing energy. She’s had to reduce work, and the financial strain has been immense. But through it all, her community has rallied. Friends and family created rosters to drive her to appointments, cooked meals, and surrounded her with love. And when bills began to pile up, Can Assist stepped in. 

“They paid my electricity and gas bills,” she said. “It felt like a headache in the background that just got lifted. I really felt like there was a community — I felt very held by the community.” 

“To anyone who has donated — thank you so much. It just makes such a huge difference to receive that financial support during cancer treatment.” 

Cymbeline still managed to finish her PhD while navigating treatment. Alongside her studies and advocacy, her dogs have been her emotional support throughout it all. 

Reflecting on her journey, Cymbeline shares this advice: 

“Some GPs are more casual about cancer than they should be. If something feels odd— push for tests. It’s probably nothing, but it might not be. Always check it. Maybe we could’ve caught mine before it travelled.” 

Her resilience, intellect, and community have seen her through, but she never forgets the role Can Assist played. “I couldn’t have asked for more help. They are kind, reassuring, and really help people”.
 

“It means the world.” 

 

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Deb’s Story

It was not long after Deb had retired that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Deb was suddenly faced with the costs of treatment that she had not budgeted for, at a time when she was still adjusting to having a lower income. 

Deb had to make frequent trips to Nepean hospital for chemotherapy to reduce the lump (140km round trip by car or a 2+hour trip by train and bus/train), and for her surgery. The trip home from chemo was difficult sometimes because if you missed the first train, it could be a long wait for the next train, at a time when you are exhausted. But for her radiation therapy Deb stayed at Hope Cottage at Nepean Hospital. At a time when Deb was going through a stressful treatment (her tumour had been very close to her heart so she had to be very still during her radiation “so they wouldn’t zap my heart”), she faced the additional costs of paying for accommodation. 

It was through a friend taking Deb to trivia fundraising nights that she learnt about Can Assist. Deb knew from her work at Centrelink not to leave seeking help until it is too late – “don’t be afraid to be told no”. So she reached out to Can Assist, who paid for her accommodation at Hope Cottage and “gave her peace of mind to know that at least I didn’t have to worry about my utility bills… (this assistance) just lets you focus on getting well again rather than the stress of worrying about money”. Deb says that she could probably have managed without Can Assist, but not without going into debt. 

Once Deb was well again, she decided to give regular donations to Can Assist – “I really appreciate the help that they gave me, and I would like to pass that on to other people. It’s regular. It’s not a great deal every month, but it adds up and over several years it definitely adds up.” 

Based on the way that Can Assist gives bespoke “practical one-on-one” assistance to people with cancer who need it today, “it’s a way I can personally help people without having to actually know a person”. 

Deb now enjoys doing dragon boat racing with ‘Dragons Abreast’, enjoying wellness on the water of Wentworth Falls Lake and supporting other breast cancer survivors. “It gets me out of bed on a Saturday morning”.