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