My family and culture make me who I am today. Growing up our home and life was full of laughter, happiness and love. I was encouraged to be whoever I wanted to be, to believe in myself.
I have two beautiful children. My family are everything.
I always wanted to be a teacher and I was fortunate to fulfil that.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t want to talk about it.
My family at various stages had to make decisions for me, as I shut down emotionally and blamed myself for having cancer. Even though I lived a healthy lifestyle, I was looking for answers. I would ask myself and God “why me?”
This is why it’s important to allow family and friends in to look after you and agencies such as palliative care to help.
Cherie, my cousin, encouraged me to let palliative care come in. It’s one of the best decisions I made. They are there for you and your family.
My experience with palliative care has only been positive. They are there for people who are dying but it is also well before then that they are there for you. It’s not all about death.
I am where I am today because of my children and family and, in the background, palliative care.
The best thing is to live life and love your family and friends. Let people in. Let them help you.
The spiritual aspect of being Aboriginal and a Christian means in the Dreamtime I will be with all my family who have gone before me and who I love so much.
