Abstract of Shirley McMILLAN, 2019
Item — Box: 24
Identifier: H00990002
Abstract
SHIRLEY MCMILLAN
Interviewer: Renee Goldup
Abstracter: W. Brent Coats
First Interview: 6 April 2012
00:00 Interview Introduction
00:20 Self felt unwell – Unable to walk far – Leg swollen - Doctor recommended COLONOSCOPY – No indication of cancer Legs kept swelling – Admitted to KEW HOSPITAL – Tests revealed LYMPHOMA in groin, kidneys, spleen – 10 day stay at KEW – Describes
02:30 Sent to DUNEDIN HOSPITAL – Explains Isolated in room for 8 days – Wonderful help from staff – Not used to asking for help – SUPPORT from friends - Describes
05:15 Returned home – Blanket left on for eight days DIFFICULTY BREATHING – Returned to hospital – No white blood cells – Isolated in room – “world gets very small” – Slept lots PATTERN of chemotherapy and decline – Explains
07:04 Currently feeling better – Next stage RADIUM treatment DUNEDIN – “will cope with it” – Describes
07:42 Need for ISOLATION from infection – “took very seriously” – Has had support at home – Explains
08:26 Live quiet life - First outing to BALCLUTHA - Left FLORESTRY work – Chemotherapy word stops questions asked – Explains
10:05 Self STILL ACTIVE – Biking – Skin bruises easily – Good friends, family and church Thinks more for others’ health than self – Sister in law with cancer Accepts condition philosophically – “You gets curve balls” – Explains
12:08 Further treatment – RADIATION treatment – No NAUSEA with Chemotherapy – Describes
12:55 IMMUNE SYSTEM low – Recalls humourous story about husband – Appreciative of KEW oncology department – “quite special” – No difficulty visiting KEW Cancer has been learning experience – Explains
15:00 End of Track 1
DISC 1: TRACK 2
00:18 EMOTIONALLY “up beat” – Jokes blood is “B positive” – Feels good - Self nearly 69 years - Describes 01:14 HAIR became ”matty” – Had hair shaved – Support from friend MARTHA – Jokes self was like brother DOUGLAS – Doesn’t usually wear wig - Explains
05:04 Self feels positive – Kept quiet life to allow therapy to work – Describes Cancer made Self more understanding – Has missed home open to people – Afraid of catching infection Feeling down prior to Christmas – Related to low immune system – Explains
07:51 LOW POINT during isolation and before Christmas – Feeling stronger – Determination to get better – Explains
08:49 End of Track 2
DISC 1: TRACK 3
00:06 HIGH POINT - SUPPORT from family, friends and church – Husband’s friend good support Believes in PRAYER – “well blessed” – Describes
01:41 IMAGE painted on head – TWEEDIA flower – Describes Called “tweedia lady” – Self and husband used Tweedia for own wedding - Aroma like wet blackcurrants – Recalls SPRAY of Tweedia painted on head – ELIZABETHAN collar style Describes flower images from friend LYNLEY 05:00 Involvement on HEADCASES project – Asked at HOSPITAL – Agreed because it may HELP OTHERS
06:19 End of Track 3
Interviewer: Renee Goldup
Abstracter: W. Brent Coats
First Interview: 6 April 2012
00:00 Interview Introduction
00:20 Self felt unwell – Unable to walk far – Leg swollen - Doctor recommended COLONOSCOPY – No indication of cancer Legs kept swelling – Admitted to KEW HOSPITAL – Tests revealed LYMPHOMA in groin, kidneys, spleen – 10 day stay at KEW – Describes
02:30 Sent to DUNEDIN HOSPITAL – Explains Isolated in room for 8 days – Wonderful help from staff – Not used to asking for help – SUPPORT from friends - Describes
05:15 Returned home – Blanket left on for eight days DIFFICULTY BREATHING – Returned to hospital – No white blood cells – Isolated in room – “world gets very small” – Slept lots PATTERN of chemotherapy and decline – Explains
07:04 Currently feeling better – Next stage RADIUM treatment DUNEDIN – “will cope with it” – Describes
07:42 Need for ISOLATION from infection – “took very seriously” – Has had support at home – Explains
08:26 Live quiet life - First outing to BALCLUTHA - Left FLORESTRY work – Chemotherapy word stops questions asked – Explains
10:05 Self STILL ACTIVE – Biking – Skin bruises easily – Good friends, family and church Thinks more for others’ health than self – Sister in law with cancer Accepts condition philosophically – “You gets curve balls” – Explains
12:08 Further treatment – RADIATION treatment – No NAUSEA with Chemotherapy – Describes
12:55 IMMUNE SYSTEM low – Recalls humourous story about husband – Appreciative of KEW oncology department – “quite special” – No difficulty visiting KEW Cancer has been learning experience – Explains
15:00 End of Track 1
DISC 1: TRACK 2
00:18 EMOTIONALLY “up beat” – Jokes blood is “B positive” – Feels good - Self nearly 69 years - Describes 01:14 HAIR became ”matty” – Had hair shaved – Support from friend MARTHA – Jokes self was like brother DOUGLAS – Doesn’t usually wear wig - Explains
05:04 Self feels positive – Kept quiet life to allow therapy to work – Describes Cancer made Self more understanding – Has missed home open to people – Afraid of catching infection Feeling down prior to Christmas – Related to low immune system – Explains
07:51 LOW POINT during isolation and before Christmas – Feeling stronger – Determination to get better – Explains
08:49 End of Track 2
DISC 1: TRACK 3
00:06 HIGH POINT - SUPPORT from family, friends and church – Husband’s friend good support Believes in PRAYER – “well blessed” – Describes
01:41 IMAGE painted on head – TWEEDIA flower – Describes Called “tweedia lady” – Self and husband used Tweedia for own wedding - Aroma like wet blackcurrants – Recalls SPRAY of Tweedia painted on head – ELIZABETHAN collar style Describes flower images from friend LYNLEY 05:00 Involvement on HEADCASES project – Asked at HOSPITAL – Agreed because it may HELP OTHERS
06:19 End of Track 3
Dates
- 2019
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Conditions Governing Use
This material is copyright of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives. In accordance with agreements held with interviewees, it is strictly prohibited to reproduce (copy) oral history recordings, abstracts, audio extracts or photographs without prior written consent. Applications for the reproduction of these recordings and associated materials, in whole or part, must be made in writing to the Southland Oral History Project Co-ordinator, c/o Invercargill City Libraries and Archives.
Extent
From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- From the Record Group: Goldup, Renee (Interviewer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository