After finding love again with her second husband, Max, the couple relocated from Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to Mackay in 2022.
The couple were settling into life as retirees when Karen was diagnosed with a stage 3 rectal tumour in November 2023.
“We had only just retired the year before and were looking forward to enjoying our retirement and travelling around Australia in our caravan,” says Karen.
“My cancer diagnosis was so hard to believe and a shock, as I felt well and healthy. I had just noticed a change in bowel habits. It’s hard to explain the myriad of emotions that we were feeling when I received my diagnosis, but at no time have Max or I ever thought it would beat me.
“I had the difficult task of telling my two daughters. Cancer is a touchy subject at the best of times, let alone when you have already lost someone dear to you.
“As I explained to them, their father’s cancer was a different type of cancer, was quite aggressive and was diagnosed at stage 4, so it was a different scenario. After they got over the shock, we managed to get our sense of humour back and they let me know they were annoyed with me for ruining our clean health record. Women in our family live to their nineties, which I assured them I have every intention of doing, just so I can make their lives difficult,” laughs Karen.
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In December 2023, Karen commenced the first stage of her treatment – a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy at Icon Cancer Centre Mackay under the care of radiation oncologist, A/Prof Alex Tan and medical oncologist, Dr Zia Ansari.
“When I finished my first stage of treatment, I had a six-week break. Further tests then revealed the tumour had only shrunk marginally and that further chemo would be required,” says Karen.
“After another four months of chemo at Icon Mackay, there was only a marginal change in the tumour, and it was recommended that I have an operation to remove it. I was told this would be quite a big operation, as they would have to take most of the rectum plus some of the vagina and I would end up with a permanent colostomy bag. I was referred to Dr Craig Harris in Brisbane to have the operation done.
“Dr Harris explained everything that was going to happen in detail. His part of the operation itself would take approximately eight hours, then it was up to plastic surgeon, Dr Shiv Chopra to perform surgery to rebuild the part of the vagina that had to be removed, using a flap of skin from my inner thigh.
“It was all very scary, however, you have to do what you have to do to beat (the cancer), so we could get on with life,” adds Karen.
During her second round of chemotherapy treatment, Karen had been introduced to Icon Cancer Centre Mackay specialist Bowel Care Nurse, Sue Allsopp (pictured below).
In 2024, Bowel Cancer Australia and Icon Cancer Centre partnered to place specialist Bowel Care Nurses in select Icon cancer centres across Australia. Since mid-2024, Sue has been caring for local bowel cancer patients in the Mackay region.
“Sue’s support has been invaluable, and she has played a major part in me getting through and dealing with my cancer journey,” says Karen.
“From the moment we were introduced, Sue has been in constant touch, lining me up with stoma nurses before and after my operation, researching physiotherapists and dieticians to help my recovery, and she put me in touch with the Cancer Society for any further assistance I may need. I can’t thank her enough.
“The Icon Mackay team made my treatment process so much easier to cope with. All the staff are wonderful, kind, considerate and knowledgeable and helped wherever possible to make the process bearable.”
With the operation to remove the tumour a success, Karen is now on the road to recovery and is looking forward to life post-cancer. Karen and Max are currently enjoying a caravaning adventure around Australia.
“When my first husband was diagnosed with cancer, we learnt the value of living life while you can. We just needed that sudden jolt to remind us. We packed more into the three years following his diagnosis, until the cancer eventually got him, than the rest of our married life. Up until then, work and finances all took precedence over family and living,” admits Karen.
“Now my cancer journey has once again reinforced the need to enjoy life and experience as much of it as we can. Enjoy the special moments. There is so much love, kindness and adventure ahead of us. I want to soak up as much as I can and encourage others to do the same.
“Don’t sit back and focus on the bad things, look for the good and bathe in it.”
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