Christmas gift for cancer survivor

Eukey resident Kathryn East together with her husband Bob had a much needed two-day break in Brisbane last week courtesy of Angel Flight.
Whilst this was Mrs East’s 22nd Angel Flight, it was the first time she was travelling not to receive medical treatment for cancer. Instead, the couple stayed in a Brisbane City hotel; had lunch and a trip on the Kookaburra Queen followed by dinner in the evening. They also had some time to explore the city and relax.
Mrs East’s mother who lives in a Brisbane suburb shared in this special pre-Christmas gift, as she had been a great source of comfort during her daughter’s treatment at the Mater Hospital.
These non-medical ‘Respite Flights’ were introduced in 2008 to provide an opportunity for those most in need to have a short period of rest and relief. The idea came from one of Angel Flight’s mission coordinators, who, like the rest of the team, was touched by the heart-rending stories of patients who had become regular passengers with Angel Flight due to chronic ill-health.
When the story behind this Respite Flight unfolds, it would soon become obvious why Mrs East and her husband were in so much need of time away from the normal routine of their lives.
Mrs East was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the end of February this year. Until then, she had experienced a variety of symptoms for which she sought medical help but tests were inconclusive. It wasn’t until she started to lose weight and at the same time look as though she was about seven months pregnant that she realised she needed urgent medical help.
“I became very uncomfortable and suffering a lot of pain but I think I was in denial that there could be anything seriously wrong and didn’t realise how sick I was even though friends were noticing the changes in me,” she said.
“I can remember travelling to Toowoomba and sitting in a lecture room for six hours in extreme pain just not aware of how sick I was. This was just a couple of weeks before I was diagnosed with cancer.”
It was obvious at this stage that further investigations needed to be made and she was immediately referred to Stanthorpe Hospital for tests, which confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Mrs East was immediately transferred by ambulance to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, but even then she said she didn’t appreciate the seriousness of her condition.
During keyhole surgery it was discovered that the cancer had spread throughout her stomach, liver and bowel and the only chance she had of survival was by undergoing a seven-week course of Chemotherapy.
In order to receive this life-saving treatment, it was necessary for Mrs East to travel regularly to and from Brisbane.
To get her there it was necessary for her husband to take her in a very old car that took about four hours to make the journey and cost about $80 in fuel for the return trip – money they could ill afford.
Fortunately, the social worker at the Mater realised there was a better way and quickly organised for them to fly to and from Brisbane with Angel Flight, making their journey quicker and easier, and at no cost to Mr and Mrs East.
“This was a great relief as I got home before I started feeling unwell after the chemo and was able to quickly crawl into my own bed rather than suffer the horrendous journey home,” Mrs East said.
“Just being able to do that so much sooner made such a difference. The pilots are wonderful, kind, caring people and the Earth Angels who drive us to and from the airports are just so generous, and it’s hard to know what to say.”
Mrs East said that she found out during treatment that when she entered hospital they thought she only had about a week to live, but the chemo worked so well she was able to have surgery in June during which she understands they removed all the cancer.
“Since then I have had blood tests every three months and fortunately the cancer markers have remained within normal range. I am now awaiting the results of a recent one as I started to feel unwell a couple of weeks ago, and waiting is always very hard,” she said. Mrs East’s mother is also a cancer survivor and understands what she is going through.
It is hoped that this latest test will bring good news.
Gatton-based Angel Flight volunteer pilot Dr Andre Urankar has conducted 33 flights and quite a few of these have been transporting Mrs East and her husband.
“Kathryn has become very special to me,” he said.
“I suppose it’s because I came across her in the early stages of her treatment and at that time she was really depressed and seemed to be on her last legs.
“I’ve been her pilot on many occasions but the most recent one followed her final session in Brisbane and I recalled seeing her go from being really down at the beginning to becoming quite joyful. She seems to have a new lease of life and I am so pleased to have taken part in that process.”
Without pilots like Dr Urankar, Angel Flight wouldn’t exist, but when faced with this comment he reflected any recognition away from himself.
“It’s not just the pilots,” he said.
“It’s the whole organisation, Earth Angels who transport patients to and from airports, hospital staff who recommend Angel Flight to patients, mission coordinators and so many other people, not just pilots.”
And when asked whether he knew how many flights he had conducted for Angel Flight, he said:
“To be honest, I don’t actually know. I’m really not interested in how many flights I’ve done, just how much help I’ve been to those who have travelled with me.”
Dr Urankar flies a Piper Cherokee 180, which he calls Pixie and describes as a “brilliant spritely little plane.”