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Deb enjoyed great support from her husband, daughter and mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 months earlier. Deb spent a lot of time researching the disease and treatments, and says The Cancer Council was extremely helpful with information and booklets. Because of this, and as her mum had also undergone radiation therapy, she knew what to expect. "The treatments were tiring: weekly chemo for five weeks and daily radiation treatment. I consider myself lucky that in four months of treatment I only really felt unwell with nausea and vomiting on about five occasions. "I had five treatments of brachytherapy, internal radiation treatment, spread over three weeks in Launceston, which meant my husband and I travelled to Launceston and stayed at the Spurr Wing across the road from the hospital." Deb's husband took on the household chores, driving duties and caring responsibilities where necessary and also attended every chemo and brachytherapy session. "My parents took turns to sit with me during chemo sessions and their friends supported both me and my parents during my illness. I also received caring and supportive words from my work colleagues who provided baskets of goodies to keep up my spirits. They also sent their positive vibes my way. "Throughout my journey with cancer, I tried to remain positive and treated it as just a little hump in the road. There was never any question that I wouldn't prevail over the disease, and I did. I was advised I was in remission on 29 August 2005." Deb's says her teenage daughter is particularly concerned because her grandmother and mother have both contracted cancer and she now wonders when her turn will come. "However, from my mother's courageous battle and my own positive outlook, she really sees that cancer is a word, not a sentence," Deb says. Since her treatment, Deb has a recurring illness related to a radiation burn that affects her colon. Deb once again turned to The Cancer Council for advice and assistance. "The Cancer Council Tasmania sent me information that helped me and, as always, was prepared to search out more information." Deb says involvement in the Hobart Relay For Life means many things to her. "I started doing the Relay as support for a friend. It means I can help raise funds to assist others in their cancer journey, meet new people and I get a real sense of achievement when I complete laps around the venue. "Relay is always good for a laugh and there is a real sense of camaraderie among those gathered. I was particularly pleased to take part in the Survivors' Walk in the 2006 Relay and am looking forward to participating again in 2007," Deb says. 
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