Denise's story

Giving back in the Waikato

“I have cancer. I never thought I would ever say those words,” says Waikato resident Denise Spicer-Boyes.

During 2004, Denise had periods of feeling unwell which culminated into severe pain in her right side. In December, a CT Scan  revealed a large mass between her liver and pancreas.

Her doctor diagnosed Denise with follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma – grade 2.

She was immediately started on a course of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. The treatment was able to reduce the size of her tumour by about 60 per cent. In 2006, Denise went into remission and although she still has a mass it is not active.

“My journey has been amazing. Cancer has made me focus on what I really want out of life.”

Since her treatment, Denise has completed a university degree, studied art therapy and now gives back to other cancer patients through Health Journeys New Zealand, a charitable cancer trust based in the Waikato. 

She is also a member of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation’s (LBF) Waikato Haematology Patients’ Group and a consumer representative for Cancer Voices New Zealand.

During her experience Denise was able to find disease-specific information from the LBF.
Denise says: “The LBF have been amazing. Right from early on LBF provided comprehensive information booklets followed up with invitations to attend education days. 
“The staff has always been supportive; and Amy Munro (Support Services Manager) has become a firm friend to both my partner (Jan) and myself.”
Denise and Jan both participate in the Waikato Haematology Patients’ Group where the focus is on educating people about their condition, from diagnosis, through treatment and life after cancer.
Denise says: “There is always lots of fun and laughter when we get together.