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Abstract of Aroha Maria Gibb, 2020

 Item — Box: 26
Identifier: H01020002

Abstract

Aroha Maria Gibb

Interiewer: Rebecca Amundson

Abstractor: Barbara Gillam

DOB 20th April 2012

0.26 Born in BLUFF 6.11.1964. Living on STEWART ISLAND at time.

1.21 Left Stewart Island after her father died from cancer.

2.11 Father from GISBORNE

2.30 1 Older brother, 4 older sisters. She is youngest.

3.18 Father was DARCY FORESTER.

4.30 Mother was MAY BRAGG from STEWART ISLAND.

6.22 She went to WAVERLEY PARK SCHOOL, LITHGOW INTERMEDIATE, and boarded in Christchurch.

7.17 First job was as a “rousie” [short for rouseabout, meaning: “A person performing unskilled labour or doing odd jobs on a farm, especially in a shearing shed]

7.50 Took part in government apprenticeship scheme in Invercargill then Christchurch.

8.40 Not Maori speaking as you would be now.

10.30 At college she was encouraged to engage in Maori Culture.

12.10 Moved from Stewart Island to Lithgow Street.

Track 2

0.11 Some hobbies and interests came from 'Maori-dom', (Maori culture)

3.45 A couple of her children are quite musical.

5.50 All of her children are doing different things.

8.00 She has a nephew with Autism, he thinks in pictures.

9.20 Diagnosed with Breast cancer 23rd December 2011.

10.10 Had a mammogram and ultrasound at Kew Hospital.

11.00 Ultrasound showed the cancer; INVASIVE LOBULAR CARCENOMA.

12.10 Had HYSTERECTOMY in 2007. Took hormone drops to help but they fed the cancer.

14.10 Called the hospital after Christmas and New Year. Hospital called back after 1.5 hours with a date for her appointment.

Track 3

0.05 Received leaflets and discussed the matter a lot. By the time they got to the surgeon they were well informed.

2.00 She was devastated by the diagnosis at 47 years old.

3.45 Had 3 surgeries so far.

5.30 Her children helped her.

7.30 The whole thing was a team effort.

8.40 When her own mother died she had time to get ready for it.

Track 4

0.14 First Chemotherapy was a week ago at Kew Hospital.

2.01 Working at 1st NATIONAL REAL ESTATE

4.24 Her children did not cope very well but each had a good group of mates.

7.25 Financially ok as they had taken an insurance policy on second house.

9.40 Laughs a lot when times were tough

10.55 Can't go to Muttonbird/Titi Island

12.50 Some people in the community did not deal with her illness very well.

Track 5

0.20 Always had someone there when dealing with the illness.

1.15 Was most worried about the Lymphodeama.

2.08 Went to Dunedin only once.

2.45 Debbie, a friend helped her a lot.

4.20 Mother In Law brought a fruit cake.

5.00 Learnt that in her previous life she had been in control. After diagnosis she was vulnerable.

7.20 Support from the Cancer Society/services.

11.11 Felt angry and sad about the cancer.

12.50 Got involved in Headcases through relay for life. Feels as though this is part of her healing process.

14.30 Painting concepts.

Tracks 6/7

0.00 Details of Iwi and family heritage.

Dates

  • 2020

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Extent

From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)

Language of Materials

English

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository