Cancer is colour blind
When Shaun Bradley was fighting for his life against stage four B cell non-Hodgkin's followed by a secondary brain tumour, it was family, friends and the immediate community who came to his aid.
IN THE 1980S, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Margaret Thatcher said there is no such thing as society.
She is right.
When Shaun Bradley was fighting for his life against stage four B cell non-Hodgkin’s followed by a secondary brain tumour, it was family, friends and the immediate community who came to his aid. When Shaun thought all hope was lost, it was a woolshed of 350 people who turned up for a shear-a-thon, most he hardly knew, who gave him renewed hope.
It is individuals and family who will help when it is needed most, not society, an abstract entity.
The West Otago farm manager needed all the support he could get.
After a number of misdiagnoses by the Southern District Health Board (SDHB), they eventually found a 15cm tumour around his heart and on top of his lungs. It had spread to his lungs, pancreas and kidneys.
At the same time his wife Olivia gave birth to Charlotte while supporting Shaun. He endured months of intensive, toxic chemotherapy. The agony he would have endured and the nearly six months in hospital would have been unbearable. But he had family and friends willing him to fight hard.
Olivia was a strong advocate for Shaun during his treatment and became the squeaky wheel. She still hasn’t had an apology from the SDHB.
Obviously they are grateful for the support especially from his employers Fiona and Nelson Hancox who stood by Shaun and his family all the way through.
They put up their lambs and facilities for the shear-a-thon which along with a stock drive raised $50,000. It was money the Bradley’s desperately needed as they had used up their savings.
Shaun is now in remission and after a year back at work he has won the West Otago ewe hogget and two-tooth competitions.
Shaun’s case highlights the dangers of relying on the public health system. Good, competent people work for the DHBs but the system lacks the checks and balances of private care. Waiting lists and times are getting longer. Two years ago, I was told it would be six weeks before I could see a radiation oncologist under the public health system. Last year, it was nine weeks. I went private and within days was seen.
Almost two years ago, I was also told I would be dead now if it wasn’t for private care.
With private care there is more accountability. Their business depends on ensuring you get the right treatment at the right time. In the public system you are just a number.
The sheer weight of numbers is overwhelming the health system and leading to poor outcomes. From experience, it would be better to leave more money in taxpayers pockets with tax cuts and allow Kiwis to afford their own health insurance.
Setting up a separate Maori health system will lead to more waste and longer waiting lists. The health system should be like Netflix’s programme Bridgerton, colour blind. Cancer is.
