Clancy Philippe – Husband to Madeleine Philippe

Madeleine Philippe received a call from her doctor in December 2006, to be told that she had breast cancer. That's when your world falls apart and the moment when Annabelle, our grand daughter literally hurled herself backwards and hit the wall with disbelief. I was numbed to find that breast cancer was with us and not something that others had. Madeleine herself was shocked and I could see tears running down her cheeks.

We were lucky that it was only small and could be surgically removed and followed up with radiotherapy treatment. For Madeleine, it was also a reminder that her grandma, mum, sister, auntie and cousin also had cancer. About the same time, Madeleine's cousin Cyrille was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.

Madeleine successfully underwent surgery, followed by radiotheraphy for 5 weeks. The breast cancer was under control and she has come good since.

In November 2008, we again had a call from the doctor to be told that she had ovarian cancer. Though we were a bit seasoned by then, our world fell apart again. Annabelle, upon receiving the news broke down. Madeleine was numbed with the news and I did not know what to think, except for the thought that Madeleine was under threat again and we had to beat this one too.

We were doubly lucky in that both the breast and ovarian cancers were detected at a comparatively early stage. That enabled the surgeons to operate and remove all visible tumours. Madeleine is currently undergoing chemotherapy for the ovarian tumour. She is travelling well and the outlook is very positive.

A special note of appreciation to the surgeons, Mr Leigh Reeves, Associate Professor Thomas Jobling, the oncologists Dr Ian Haines and Dr Marie Sexton. They have all been fantastic and our appreciation also goes to the medical staff at Berwick St John of God Private Hospital, Epworth Freemasons Private Hospital, Frankston Private and Cabrini Oncology Unit in Malvern.

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