Melanie had recently been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, and that day in August was her first day of a gruelling treatment regime that would last for months.
August 7 2023 will be a day etched in Melanie’s mind forever.
The Hotel and Café Manager had recently been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, and that day in August was her first day of a gruelling treatment regime that would last for months.
It started with driving an hour and a half from her mother’s home in Yarrawonga (275 km north of Melbourne) to an appointment with her Oncologist, followed by her first round of chemotherapy at Albury Wodonga Cancer Clinic.
The treatment was only meant to take five hours, but because Melanie had a severe allergic reaction, she had to stay at the clinic for over eight hours.
By the end of the day, she was exhausted. And that was before the long drive back home.
Arriving home at 10.30 that night, Melanie collapsed into bed - utterly exhausted. It was clear the daily drive was going to be too much for her. She wondered how she could possibly continue with treatment.
Melanie had heard of Fight Cancer Foundation’s Hilltop Accommodation Centre before attending her first treatment. In fact, it was her mum, Helen, who told her about it. Helen was a Volunteer in the local community and had met patients who’d stayed there. They’d told her what a difference it made to their cancer journey.
At first, Melanie wasn’t sure. But driving such a long distance to and from treatment was much more difficult than she expected. So, following that exhausting first day of treatment, Melanie reached out to Hilltop and was very lucky to secure a room within a few days.
“Hilltop was the hero in my story”, says Melanie. “To go straight back to my beautiful room after treatment to rest and recover made all the difference”.
Melanie stayed at Hilltop, only a short walk from the Cancer Centre, throughout her treatment. Her favourite room featured a balcony facing east towards the mountains over the hospital. Every morning, she would wake up early to take photos of the sunrise, a wonderful ritual that gave her strength to face the day.
Melanie and mum, Helen on last day of chemo
Melanie at Hilltop
Mel and Helen at Hilltop
Hilltop was truly her home away from home during the toughest time of her life.
