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By Brad Lester
WHEN Cheryl Lindsay learned that she had lung cancer, she felt as though her world was falling apart.
“But then with all the scans and treatment, you don’t get time to think about what’s going on, just the results of the tests and the treatment, and your family,” Cheryl says.
A year after starting treament she is in remission and incredibly grateful to her cancer team at Wonthaggi Hospital’s L R Rigby Cancer Centre, where she has been treated every three weeks for the past 12 months.
WHEN Cheryl Lindsay learned that she had lung cancer, she felt as though her world was falling apart.
“But then with all the scans and treatment, you don’t get time to think about what’s going on, just the results of the tests and the treatment, and your family,” Cheryl says.
A year after starting treament she is in remission and incredibly grateful to her cancer team at Wonthaggi Hospital’s L R Rigby Cancer Centre, where she has been treated every three weeks for the past 12 months.
She paid special tribute to her medical oncologists, Professor Mark Shackleton and Dr Mitchell Chipman, and the cancer nurses
“I can’t praise the place enough. When you are down, the staff lift you up. They laugh with you and they cry with you.”
In its third full year of operation, the L. Rigby Centre provided 1,020 cancer treatments in 2023-24, saving patients the emotional, physical and financial toll of travelling to Melbourne or the Latrobe Valley where possible.
“I can’t praise the place enough. When you are down, the staff lift you up. They laugh with you and they cry with you.”
In its third full year of operation, the L. Rigby Centre provided 1,020 cancer treatments in 2023-24, saving patients the emotional, physical and financial toll of travelling to Melbourne or the Latrobe Valley where possible.
“The staff here are just brilliant. The oncologists are all just fantastic doctors,” Cheryl Lindsay
“It’s absolutely brilliant to be able to have this care close to home because my husband doesn’t have to take time off work,” Cheryl says.
“If I had to go to Melbourne it would be at least a four-hour round-trip and three hours of treatment. It would require an overnight stay. “
“It’s not just easier for patients though, because having this treatment facility locally creates jobs for the staff too.”
The cancer team at BCH includes medical oncologists, haematologists, breast surgeons, a radiation oncologist, a dermatologist, a palliative care medical specialist, a McGrath Foundation breast care nurse, a melanoma specialist and a lymphoedema physiotherapist, along with many other allied health professionals and the L. Rigby Centre cancer team.
“If I had to go to Melbourne it would be at least a four-hour round-trip and three hours of treatment. It would require an overnight stay. “
“It’s not just easier for patients though, because having this treatment facility locally creates jobs for the staff too.”
The cancer team at BCH includes medical oncologists, haematologists, breast surgeons, a radiation oncologist, a dermatologist, a palliative care medical specialist, a McGrath Foundation breast care nurse, a melanoma specialist and a lymphoedema physiotherapist, along with many other allied health professionals and the L. Rigby Centre cancer team.
Wonthaggi Hospital also offers comprehensive radiology services: a MRI, CT, Ultrasound and mammograms through Breast Screen Victoria.
“Our longstanding partnership with Alfred Health means that local cancer patients can receive the care they need from Alfred specialists at Wonthaggi, rather than travel to Melbourne when that’s the last thing they feel like doing,” Interim BCH CEO Simone Alexander said.
To receive cancer treatment at BCH, ask your medical practitioner to email a referral to access@basscoasthealth.org.au or fax 03 9102 5307.
“Our longstanding partnership with Alfred Health means that local cancer patients can receive the care they need from Alfred specialists at Wonthaggi, rather than travel to Melbourne when that’s the last thing they feel like doing,” Interim BCH CEO Simone Alexander said.
To receive cancer treatment at BCH, ask your medical practitioner to email a referral to access@basscoasthealth.org.au or fax 03 9102 5307.
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