About

 You Too Can Win in Life

My Healing Journey

It all started with my cancer journey – next I lost the use of my leg to walk in 2020.

I am now on a mission to walk again.  I know I can do this.  

Just as I am winning with cancer I will win the right to walk again.

First the Cancer Journey 

The First Diagnosis – and a Shocking Twist

In June 2016, I was initially diagnosed with cancer attached to my right ureter. After much investigation, I was told my only option was immediate nephrectomy. During surgery, my right kidney, ureter, and lymph node were removed. The procedure lasted seven hours – far longer than the predicted two to three.

Post-surgery, histopathology revealed retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF), not cancer. My care was then handed over to a prestigious clinical immunologist – one of the directors of a major pathology company in Brisbane. He immediately prescribed strong medications for this misdiagnosis.

Despite following his advice, I often questioned the diagnosis and treatment. My personal research into RPF didn’t match my symptoms, but I was told I had a “unique case.” My gut instinct said otherwise, and I began asking for further investigations.

Pain, Loss & a Life Upended

Meanwhile, my health continued to decline. Pain became a daily part of my life – pain I silently endured – until September 2017. Whilst on a stopover in Darwin, I received a call that shattered my world: my marriage of 30 years was over.

A month later, in October 2017, I was placed on medical leave from my job. A career I was no longer able to perform. The emotional stress only worsened my already inflamed body. My right leg began to limp, my knee started contracting, and specialists had no explanation. Despite physio, there was no improvement.

By November 2017, I was using a rollator. By June 2018, my right hip and right knee were flexed at 90°, unable to touch the ground. I was wheelchair-dependent. I was devastated. Just two years earlier, I had been training to trek to Mt Everest Base Camp.

A Body in Crisis

My journey grew more difficult as I navigated a tumultuous marriage breakup, misdiagnosis, ineffective medications, and rapidly deteriorating health. I was bedridden, in excruciating pain, dependent on opioids, and unable to eat properly. I lived between houses and hospitals – very fortunate to have close family members caring for me as I became homeless.

My wonderful brother David, his beautiful wife Noela, my amazing niece Bree and her caring and supportive husband Kurt, and of course my dearest sons – Ryan, David, Mitchell – and now son-in-law Keiran.

Their homes became my sanctuary.

 A Sister’s Instinct

In May 2018, my sister Ingrid flew from Melbourne to Brisbane. When she saw me, she knew I needed urgent help. My body was going into shutdown; I had no energy and could barely hold myself up. She quickly organised with my physician, Dr. Warwick Sapsford – a deeply trusted and compassionate doctor, my medical rock who guided me with unwavering support – to arrange my admission to hospital.

At the hospital, an infectious disease specialist discovered toxicity from the medications I had been prescribed. The toxins were flushed from my system, and I began to stabilise.

Biopsies were taken from masses near my spine. Instead of clarity, they brought conflicting results that added emotional turmoil. The samples were forwarded to a laboratory in Adelaide.

Her timing – her intuition – saved my life. A sister’s love and instinct proved more powerful than any diagnosis.

A Mother’s Promise

In August 2018, I sat in the oncologist’s office with my eldest son, Ryan. It was the same specialist who had guaranteed there were no cancer cells in my body. We were told the devastating but predictable news: it was cancer. Stage 4. Without being asked, he told me I had four months to live.

Instead of collapsing, I saw the devastation on my son’s face. In that moment, I didn’t crumble – I put on my ‘mother hat.’ A voice rose from within me:

   “How dare you say that to me. Firstly, you do not know me. And furthermore, I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

Then I turned to Ryan and said:

    “I will be at your wedding.”

It was nine months away. I had no idea how I would get there – but I made a promise, and I intended to keep it. I had purpose. I had faith. I believed anything was possible.

The Power of Family

I had been bedridden for over six months. When discharged, I moved in with my niece Bree, her husband Kurt, and their four children. On weekends, I stayed with Ryan and Keiran, and also caught up with Dave and Mitchell.

Their homes became my healing sanctuary.

Though life was a blur under strong medications, my spirit began to heal in the warmth of family life. What began as temporary accommodation became a year-long embrace – with an open invitation to stay.

Their homes gave me something medicine couldn’t: hope.

Choosing a New Path

In August 2019, I moved into an apartment at an aged care facility accommodating palliative. It welcomed friends and family – but I had made up my mind.   I wasn’t done. I was going to rewrite the ending to my story.

With fierce determination, I turned to natural and alternative therapies, starting with an overhaul of my diet. By November 2019, without informing my GP, I made the bold decision to stop all prescribed medications. I fully committed to natural healing.

I read. I researched. I listened to my body.

In January 2020, my body was being starved of the nutrients it needed. The meals at Vacenti Portofino, the aged care facility, were often overcooked, soft, and mushy – designed for residents with severe swallowing difficulties, not someone like me. I became extremely weak, and the pain grew intense. Still, I managed to cope – without relying on opioids.

I reached out to my Facebook family, hoping someone might hear my quiet cry for help. I was dying – and I knew it.

My uncle, Henry Kuper, came to my rescue. He always had the instinct to know when someone needed help. He was very humble. Uncle Henry put me in touch with Alan, a very knowledgeable man with a visionary mind, who in turn introduced me to Keith, a brilliant innovator and technical mastermind. Due to their genius brains and invention – the K&A device and Henry Kuper and Max, their superpowers of helping others.
I am forever grateful, I am still alive.

Slowly, I rebuilt my strength through a combination of nutrition, emotional and energy healing, and spiritual practice.

A Lifeline & the K&A Device

My uncle, Henry Kuper, came to my rescue. He always had the instinct to know when someone needed help. He was very humble. Uncle Henry put me in touch with Alan Reddie, a very knowledgeable man with a visionary mind, who in turn introduced me to Keith, a brilliant innovator and technical mastermind. Due to their genius brains and invention – the K&A device – Henry Kuper and Max Pk, their superpowers of helping others.
Because of them, I am still here.

Healing from Within

I slowly rebuilt my strength – through nutrition, natural remedies, emotional healing, energy work, and spiritual connection. Step by step, I reclaimed my life.

The Fight to Walk Again                                                                                                                                                                                              

Having the contracture in my right leg has been a huge distraction from the cancer within. Each day, I follow my cancer protocol – to keep me alive. But I’ve also had a huge focus on walking, hiking, dancing, climbing again – to one day kick a ball or ride a bike with my grandchildren.

In 2020, I was told I would never walk again. That the best solution was to amputate my right leg from the groin and use a prosthetic to get around. But I had movement in my foot – and that gave me hope. If there was a signal to my foot, then the rest could be worked on.

It’s been a tough road. At one stage, my knee was pulled tightly against my chest whenever I sat down. Today, it rests comfortably where it should. Progress – baby steps – don’t stop believing.

I committed to hydrotherapy, tying 10kg weights to my ankles to build strength, stability, and hope. Rain or hail, I showed up. The gym caused inflammation that would knock me out for weeks – but the pool became my sanctuary.

Every therapist admitted they’d never treated a contracture like mine. It was wasted time and money – no real understanding or plan – until I met Emma Howe during hydrotherapy.

So I turned to natural therapies. You name it – I’ve probably tried it.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a healing circle of extraordinary practitioners whose unique skills, passion, and dedication have made a profound difference in my journey.

Robert Monro, from the Neuromuscular Clinic, has been a cornerstone of my progress for almost five years. His deep expertise in neuromuscular therapy and personalized approach were instrumental in loosening and reducing my contracture. Robert’s commitment to understanding my condition and tailoring treatment with precision gave me a solid foundation for recovery.

Wade, known as Wade the Massage Guy in Brisbane City, brings extraordinary intuition and skill to his work. With a unique ability to ‘scan’ the body using his elbows, Wade expertly identifies and releases stored energy blockages that others might miss. His massage technique is unlike any other I’ve experienced – leaving me visibly improved and renewed after every session.

Emma Howe, my physiotherapist, has been a steady and compassionate guide in my hydrotherapy sessions. Emma’s dedication and expert knowledge in aquatic therapy have helped me build strength and mobility in ways I never thought possible. Her calm, patient approach and tailored exercises have been vital in making tangible progress.

And then there’s Three Crows, the shaman whose healing work has left me pain-free and quality life– without explanation or ceremony, only profound relief. His mysterious gift defies words, and I carry deep gratitude for the peace and comfort he has brought to my body and spirit.

Each of these remarkable healers brings their own special gifts and heartfelt dedication to my recovery. Their passion for helping others shines through in every encounter – inspiring me to keep fighting and believing in the possibility of healing.

It is so important to surround yourself with those who lift you, encourage you, and help carry your vision when you’re too tired to hold it alone.

Never give up – don’t stop believing! As long as you have the will to fight and the determination to keep going, what others call impossible becomes possible.

Today

Today, I am still here – Alive, Thriving, and deeply Grateful.

I share my story not to tell others what to do,

but to show what’s possible when you choose life,

believe in healing naturally, and fight with everything you have

This is a story of resilience, faith, and of an unshakable love for life, family, and friends – a story of choosing to live against all odds.

Don’t Stop Believing – Never Give Up – Don’t Quit.

One thing I’ve learned on this journey: there is incredible power in your circle.

Surround yourself with those who lift you up, believe in you, and remind you of your strength – especially on the days you forget it yourself.

Disclaimer

This is my personal healing journey. Nothing shared here is medical advice. Please consult your qualified medical practitioner before making any changes to prescribed medication.