THE Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service’s halls chimed yesterday afternoon as one patient celebrated the end of their cancer treatment in a unique and special way.
Adopting American strategies, the hospital’s chemotherapy unit has installed a glistening bell for patients to ring once active treatment is complete.
Tantanoola resident Kylie Serle was the first of what is hoped to be many to announce her personal victories by ringing the symbolic bell for all to hear.
“I was going to say we should be blowing the siren to say it is all finished,” Ms Serle said.
“I do not know how it feels to be the first to ring the bell as there has been so many thousands of patients before me.
“The bell is a great initiative and although my journey has not been as bad as others, it is a fantastic feeling for my treatment to be completed.”
Ms Serle said the Mount Gambier ward was a convenient and comforting option.
“The ward is close which makes travelling easier and less stressful,” she said.
“The people here are fantastic, the little purple people eaters.
“Although it is not the greatest place to come, the people make it as nice as it can be. ”
Chemotherapy unit manager Nebu Mathew said the installation was the first to be implemented in regional South Australia.
“I have already received a request for this idea to be put into the South Australian Cancer Services newsletter,” he said.
“This means hopefully other units around the state will also have the opportunity to adopt a bell for their patients.”
Mr Mathew said the bell was a symbol of resuming a cancer-free life.
“For those patients who are becoming cancer-free, the bell symbolises the end of their journey here in the unit,” he said.
“No more hospitalisation, treatment and coping with the side effects.
“It is the end of pain and suffering and marks the beginning as a happy and cherished moment.”
Although many patients may never ring the bell, Mr Mathew said happiness should still be celebrated.
“Cancer can be cured for certain patients where they have been diagnosed in the earlier stages,” he said.
“On the other hand, there may be patients who will never get to ring this.
“My perspective is just because there is sadness, it does not mean we should not be celebrating happiness.”
Mr Mathew said although treatment journey lengths differ, hospital staff were with patients every step of the way.
“The chemotherapy unit join the patients to provide support,” he said.
“We give them our best wishes as throughout journeys they have to be brave to overcome these dreadful diseases.
“Patients will look at the bell as a source of motivation to keep going so they can ring it.”
