‘These angels saw me at my absolute worst yet always made me feel my best’

Lisa Severin was 57 years old when a routine blood test detected Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

After several initial rounds of chemotherapy, Lisa was transferred to the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) in Westmead Hospital for a stem cell transplant.

Now two and a half years into remission, Lisa is having quarterly checks but says she is back to her normal self – “albeit wiser and more relaxed”.

She credits her care team at CPMCC for their empathy-led care and comfort during this challenging period.

“These angels saw me at my absolute worst yet always made me feel my best,” Lisa said.

“They were patient, kind and extremely sympathetic. They respected my dignity, nothing was a problem for them and I believe their belief in me helped me through the toughest days.”

CPMCC is a leader in establishing multidisciplinary teams for improving patient care during their cancer treatment.

It has fully integrated research, prevention, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation programs for patients and families coping with cancer.

“I would like to thank the entire medical, nursing and admin staff of Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre and Ward C5A. Special thanks to Karen Maddock, Drs. Gaurav, Pannicker, Ljubica, all of the Haematologists and nurse Jin Joo. There are so many other wonderful nurses there and they are a credit to the Nursing Unit Manager, Tito Jimenez. The student nurses were also so helpful and kind.”