Robert’s story
Palmerston North resident Robert Small was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) 18 months ago.
Initially, he thought he had contracted a virus because his energy levels went down so dramatically; he’d have to lie down and took a few days off work.
The decrease in energy motivated him to visit his doctor who did some checks and then decided to send him to Palmerston North Hospital where Robert was diagnosed with CLL.
The hospital took samples of his bone marrow where they identified two types of cancer. Once diagnosed, he was placed straight onto chemotherapy which he still takes every Friday morning.
The doctors tried different doses of the chemotherapy drug to get the right combination and it may be something that Robert will have to do for quite a while yet.
The diagnosis had a big effect on his wife Barbara who’s first husband passed away from cancer. Robert understands her concerns and says: “I’m still here. I am thankful to be here.”
The support of his wife, Barbara, has been invaluable to Robert. She was very supportive of him and after they had received his diagnoses she bought him a dog to keep him active and a bit of company. He says: “Animals are great, they sense when you are not doing so well.”
He has had the support of friends and others in the community who have shown concern. He says of Palmerston North Hospital: “I can’t speak highly enough of them. They were so good.”
He also states that Leukaemia & Blood Foundation’s Support Services Coordinator Yvonne Anderson, has been a real help, “She’s a friend, not just a support services staff.”
Today Robert is getting back to the small things in life. He does admit that the blood cancer diagnosis can get him down after a while.
Robert was quite active before his leukaemia diagnosis. He was an active runner years ago and is still a very passionate golfer, and admits that “some days it’s really hard, you just get so tired.”
“I do get a wee bit frustrated at times because I couldn’t do some of the things that I wanted to do, like I used to be able to do.”
He says he’s gained the acceptance of the fact that there’s always tomorrow. If I can’t achieve something that is important to me today then there is always tomorrow.” He tries to live one day at a time.
