Noelene Hunt leans forward in her chair and talks of her time in Asia. Outside the winter rain beats
against the window and remnant autumn leaves scurry along the street.

“I went to Singapore with my husband Garry, about 20 years ago,” she says.

“We spent seven years in Singapore and nine years in Indonesia. I worked as a teacher in
international schools in both countries and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

In 2003 though, Noelene and Garry decided to come back to Australia.

“I was 53 and ready to retire. I wanted to spend more time with my family and come back to a
peaceful spot. I was ready to breathe the fresh air”.

They settled in the NSW South Coast town of Mollymook.

“Life was just perfect,” she says.

In the summer of 2007 however, she noticed a small lump in her neck and this along with what
she thought was a ‘small sinus problem’, led her to seek advice from her local GP.

“It was ten days before my son’s wedding which I was organising, so I didn’t give the symptoms
much priority in the scheme of things. It was not until a week after the wedding and after I had
undergone a number of tests and a biopsy, that I was given the diagnosis. I had a rare
Nasopharyngeal cancer. Gary and I were devastated at the news. We just held each other and
cried.”

Nasopharyngeal cancer which occurs in the back of the nose and throat, is quite common
in Asia but comparatively rare in Australia. It can be difficult to treat and has a high rate of
metastases.  Treatment is normally by a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.
Surgery is not appropriate.

Noelene’s ENT specialist in Nowra recommended treatment at the Head and Neck Cancer
Clinic in Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

“My first reaction to the news was panic, disbelief and shock, but once I’d put the drama of the
initial diagnosis behind me, I just wanted to get on with the treatment.”

In May 2007 Noelene started her treatment at RPA.

“As soon as I walked through the clinic’s doors I was sold. The medical team were wonderful.
Justine Oates, the Clinical Nurse Consultant, explained all the details of the treatment, how long
it would take and what side effects to expect. I was told it was a very aggressive treatment regime
but that ‘they would get me through’. I was never in any doubt that this was the path to go,” she
says.

“Each day I joined other patients in the clinic for my treatment. The realisation that I was not the
only one in this predicament was strangely reassuring,” she adds.

“The staff couldn’t do enough for me, and that gave me so much comfort.”

“Funnily enough one of my greatest concerns was how my family and friends would cope but I
needn’t have worried. They were wonderful. So strong and supportive. It’s a tough time for them
also,” she says.

After eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation Noelene returned home to Mollymook. A PET
scan three months later revealed her free of the cancer.

“Apart from a dry mouth and a slight hearing loss, the long-term side effects of my treatment have
been minimal. Not a bad trade-off when you consider the alternative,” she laughs.

She sits back in her chair and reflects.

“Do I feel lucky?” she says and goes on to answer her question.

“Absolutely. Lucky I was referred to RPA, lucky I had the support of friends and family, lucky my
dear husband took the time to care for me and lucky the treatment worked. Life after Cancer is
wonderful.” 

SHNCI would like to thank Noelene for sharing her story. We would also like to thank Brian Geach
who interviewed Noelene and took her photograph.