Graduation special for leukaemia victim

Press, 2 October 1987, Page 5

Graduation special for leukaemia victim

By

SARAH SANDS

Caviar, smoked oy* sters, and a vintage Dom Perignon helped a young Christchurch nurse celebrate her graduation in style last evening. For Miss Bronwyn Evans, of Lyttelton, the graduation was very special — nine years ago she was diagnosed as having lymphoblastic leukaemia.

She accepted her nursing medal last evening after having completed the three year generalobstetric programme at the Christchurch School of Nursing.

Miss Evans discovered she had leukaemia in 1978 and was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She also had drug therapy for 2% years.

The effects of the treatment left her susceptible to infection and she spent a lot of time in hospital.

“It was while I was in hospital that I looked at nursing as a career — I enjoyed watching the camaraderie of the staff nurses and I thought it would be an interesting challenge,” she said. However, because of

her health, she was twice rejected for nurse-train-ing courses. “So I worked sole charge in the office of a small construction firm and kept applying.” Three years ago, on her third attempt, Miss Evans was accepted for both the Christchurch School of Nursing course and the Christchurch Polytechnic course and chose the former.

“Since I stopped treatment about the end of 1980, 1 have had no drugs — I’ve been in remission since then and in April this year I celebrated-

five years in remission.” Doctors believe that after five years in remission there is a good chance that her leukaemia will not return. Miss Evans said that her parents were very pleased that she had completed the course. “I think they were a bit doubtful and thought perhaps I could not handle it, but they have been very supportive as has my doctor, Dr Beard., Miss Evans said that if she passed her State final examinations she would' be employed at Christchurch Hospital.