My name is George Reed and I hope that with your help, together we may prevent my experience from happening to others.
My wife and I had plans for when I turned sixty five and I could retire. We would travel the world and visit my daughter in London. I'd try and perfect my golf swing, and relax after forty five years of working as a correctional officer.
I'd had some bladder issues for a while, which I simply put down to getting old. I went to see my doctor after an evening of excruciating pain in my bladder. A few weeks later I was told that I'd probably be dead within eighteen months.
I clearly remember my wife, Connie, and I sitting in the urologist's office as he said those three words: inoperable, incurable, terminal.
With those three words, our world imploded.
By donating today, you can support research at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse that gives hope to people living with cancer.
But that didn’t happen.
My first contact with Professor Lisa Horvath at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse was over the phone. A friend at work had given me a number to call. I thought it would just connect me to a hospital reception. Boy was I wrong. Professor Horvath picked up the phone, and by the end of the conversation had booked me an appointment with her for that Friday.
The moment I walked in, I knew that I was in the best possible hands. When you go in for a visit with Professor Horvath, it’s all about you. She always tells you straight. You know you’re getting the truth each and every time.
I was terrified of seeing that scan again. Professor Horvath insisted.
One by one, she pointed out dark blotches, empty spaces that no one had given a second thought to before. “That’s not cancer,” she said. “That’s not. That’s not.” Some of the darkest patches were merely dye pooled in a gland. Abruptly, she turned to face me and said, “You’re only early stage four. I think I can give you some more time.”
I’ll never forget those words. They meant everything to Connie and I. They meant hope.
"Research leads to breakthrough treatments and more effective approaches to treating cancer. For our patients, this research means hope – hope for better outcomes and quality of life, and more time with their families and loved ones. . A gift to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse is a gift of hope - both for our patients, and a future where life is unaffected by cancer."
- Professor Lisa Horvath, Director of Research at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
My treatment involved a drug called docetaxel.
I remember sitting in the chemo chair during my first session, an IV hooked up to my arm, thinking: How did I get here?
The side effects of the chemotherapy weren’t pretty. The nausea, anxiety and discomfort that came with the treatment hit me hard. I couldn’t put my shoes on because my feet were too swollen. Sleeping was incredibly difficult. The constant pain and discomfort was immeasurable. I’m just relieved it had some effect on the tumour.
Quite a few people aren’t so lucky.
They go through the numerous bouts of chemotherapy, suffer the nausea, get the swollen fingers, toes, excessive pain, and come out the other end with it having no effect on their cancer. Worse than having no effect, it also delays the start of other therapies that could stunt the growth of the cancer and prolong life.
In my case, this treatment worked. It slowed the growth of my tumours, giving my family and I more time. But for others, not only do they have to endure the diagnosis, they spend time and energy on a treatment that may not work. See, we’re all different and what works for me may not work for someone else.
This is where research comes in.
At Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, there are many researchers like Professor Horvath working hard to find better treatments for people with cancer. But they need your help.
You can change the future of cancer treatment. Donate today so that researchers like Professor Horvath can do the research they need for more effective and personalised treatments.
It’s now four years since my diagnosis. The treatment has shrunk my tumour and Professor Horvath has indeed been able to give me more time. My prostate cancer is still inoperable, incurable and terminal but Chris O’Brien Lifehouse has given me hope for the future. It is thanks to cancer research that I am still here today, four years on, enjoying time with my family.
At this stage, I’m not scared of being dead. I’m just scared of leaving behind the people I love. This experience has taught me two things. One is that there’s only one thing in the world that’s worth worrying about, and that’s love. And the second is that you must live for now and help others to do the same. If I can do anything to help further cancer research, I’ll do it.
But we can’t do it without you.
About Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is a not-for-profit, comprehensive cancer hospital in Camperdown, Sydney. From screening to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and wellness, we treat all types of cancer, specialising in those that are complex and rare. We offer patients every service and therapy that they need including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, complementary therapies and supportive services, all under the one roof.
