Hello, my name is Carmen Everett and I am 13 years old. And I am
here because I am a survivor…
When I was six years old and only half way through grade one, I
had been sick with flu-like symptoms for six weeks and been on
antibiotics. I wasn't getting any better.
In July 2000 on a Saturday morning my Grandma took me to the
doctor at 10.30am and he told me I had to have a x-ray and a blood
test. This was my first blood test; I had never had one before.
After the blood test grandma carried me to the car, it was such a
shock to me that I threw up on grandma and into grandma's
handbag.
The doctor rang by 2pm and told my mum that it looked like
Leukaemia and we were on our way to Brisbane.
We didn't really know what Leukaemia was only that it was not
good. Right there and then my life changed.
From then The Royal Brisbane Children's Hospital became our
home. For six months my Mum and I lived at the hospital units.
I had to have an operation to insert porta-cath into my chest for
chemotherapy and blood transfusions. The protocol for my treatment
was 2 years. My treatment consisted of intensive chemotherapy,
lumber punctures, blood tests and blood transfusions
This treatment was not available to me in the Maryborough
Hospitals. But the Maryborough Base Hospital was there for me when
I was home and if I was not well, or had to have blood transfusions
or my porta-cath flush.
Because I was having treatment or had low immunity I could not
go back to school. I missed most of the rest of Grade one
and a lot of Grade 2 as well. I missed playing with my new friends
at Tinana Primary School. I also missed out on a lot of birthday
parties and playing basketball.
My Mum went up to the school and explained what was happening to
my teachers and class mates about losing my hair and about my low
immunity. All the parents and teachers at the school were
great. If their child woke with a rash or a cough, they would
ring the school and the school would ring Mum and I wouldn't be
allowed to go to school.
My class mates made me a beautiful card each in class and sent
it to me while I was in Brisbane. It made me very happy to know
they were thinking about me. If I had caught chicken pox or measles
I would have had to have other treatment and my chemotherapy would
be delayed. And it would also mean I had to get a needle in
the bottom so I stayed right away from that.
I lost my hair for a long time, and the treatment made my face
blow up like a balloon' it made me look like "Bert Newton". On one
particular treatment I was very hungry like a Hungry, Hungry Hippo.
Mum nicknamed me this as I was hungry all day, and was always
asking when the next feed was. I also got cravings, in just 4 days
my Grandad cooked for me 50 fillets of whiting.
Losing my hair didn't worry me. My friends stuck by me, I
was still the same girl only bald. If I got teased or bullied my
friends were there for me to back me up. I would put tattoos on my
head; wear pretty bandanas and cute hats.
My schooling did suffer and I was behind all of my class mates.
But my parents didn't want me to get kept down as I had my friends
who made me happy. I gradually caught up and finished my primary
school with fairly good marks. I finished with A's and B's last
year in grade 8.
I have also continued with my basketball and have represented my
schools and local association at the State Tournaments.
Famous people and sports stars would visit the hospital. And if
you were well enough you would get invited to see shows like "Sound
of Music". I got to meet Lisa McClune and the other actors
backstage. It's great because the young kids would get to meet
famous people.
The volunteers and organisations involved in keeping the kids
happy while having treatment are angels.
The 25th October 2002 was a great day as I was told I was in
remission and have since been given my 5 year remission clearance
in October 2007.
I will continue to have annual blood test and check up with my
oncologist until I am 18 years old.
"LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE", that is slogan of Camp Quality.
I been going away with Camp Quality since I was 7 years old. It's
great, because it takes your mind off what you have been through
and focuses on the good things in life. I have been to so many
great places. I get to spend time with other children who have had
it even tougher than me. There is always some out there doing it
tougher.
The Camp Quality Companions really care about you and look after
you one on one. Again they are volunteers giving up their own time
for our benefit. My goal in life now is to try and give back
somehow what has been given and done for me. My first step is to
become a Camp Quality companion when I am older. Then I would like
to be involved in the medical field and maybe make a difference to
the lives of those touched by cancer.