Julie Hope was diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain cancer two years ago. She speaks with Jena Carr about her cancer journey ahead of a free wellbeing day for women with cancer.
Geelong’s Julie Hope is grateful for all the positive things in her life after receiving two cancer diagnoses in the span of a decade.
The 59-year-old survived breast cancer 12 years ago and spent the next 10 years working in communication and teaching roles before she started to feel unwell in January 2024.
“I was having feelings of deja vu and changes in thought patterns that I thought may be coming from a dream or something I saw on social media, but I now believe that they were focal seizures,” Julie said.
“I was also having terrible headaches, which got to the point where one night I wrapped my head in every frozen item from the freezer because my head was burning up.
“I did not think to ring an ambulance myself, and my son, who was 21 years old at the time, found me at 3am after I’d fallen out of bed having a seizure…so, he saved my life and called the ambulance.”
It was then that Julie was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that is currently incurable.
“I remember at the hospital, doctors did an MRI and said it was not good news as there was a tumour,” she said.
“The shock of that prognosis was overwhelming, but the gold standard treatment at Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre (ALCC) has seen me regain hope.
“The next few months were consumed by surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
“They got 95 per cent of the tumour removed without damaging anything, which was a pretty good outcome.
“At the time, I thought chemo and radiation would mop up the rest, but it was only to keep it at bay, which it has been for two years.
“I don’t like to name it (the cancer), as naming it gives it wings…and every three months now I have an MRI to confirm that the tumour has not progressed.
“This is something I have to live with forever until new techniques and drugs come around…but I am not alone as this, and other wicked and insidious cancers affect so many of us.”
Taking the diagnosis in her stride, Julie chose to fill her life with positivity and the people and activities she enjoys.
“If you’re so focused on treatments, the prognosis and the ‘what ifs’, you forget about your whole self and the good things that still exist,” she said.
“Good wellbeing and positivity have helped make me feel normal again and kept me from focusing on what might happen in the future.
“I sometimes wonder how I’m being so positive, but the other option is a lot worse, and I’m grateful that I’m here on this day and in this moment.
“I like finding things that make me feel good, whether it’s growing flowers or buying a few gems, as it is the flashes of beauty that we can sometimes miss that make you grateful for life.”
Julie said she contributed a lot to her wellbeing and healing journey to the services and opportunities at the ALCC Wellness Lounge.
“No longer were my visits all about cancer; we were focused on feeling good, positive and hopeful for a bright future as well as doing pleasant things again,” she said.
“Taking part in activities like yoga, guided meditation, art workshops and floristry boosted my sense of wellbeing and helped me reconnect with simple rituals that made me feel like myself again.
“The art classes prompted me to consider things I hadn’t done before and have opened up ‘new life’ pursuits for me, like drum lessons, a floristry course, and perfume workshops.
“The wellbeing opportunities offered to me on this journey helped me not focus on the fear of what might be and helped to bring back beauty and positivity in my life.”
Cancer continues to impact women and their families in many ways across the state, with Victorian Women’s Health Atlas data from the Barwon South West region highlighting the importance of accessible support services.
For that reason, a free Geelong Wellbeing Day will be held at East Geelong’s Eastern Hub on 18 February to help create community connections for women who have had a cancer diagnosis.
Counterpart (a Women’s Health Victoria service) and Barwon South West Regional Integrated Cancer Services will host the event, featuring a relaxed program of activities like yoga and a floral workshop.
“A key focus is on supporting women in regional and rural Victoria, so we hope to see lots of people at the event,” Counterpart manager Cindy Van Rooy said.
“Whether recently diagnosed, having ongoing treatment, or living cancer-free for years, we know that cancer can be an isolating experience.
“We are so proud to be able to help improve people’s health and wellbeing by hosting a day focused on connection and wellbeing for women living in or around Geelong.”
Julie said she “wholeheartedly” supported the wellbeing day and that she was “genuinely looking forward to attending”.
“My vision has almost changed since my diagnosis, and I see beauty now more than ever before,” she said.
“I encourage anybody recovering from or living with cancer to participate in everything that is offered to help their body and soul recover and feel well.
“I’m sure there will be an activity, organisation or connection that improves your mood, wellbeing and outlook. It’s time to focus your energy on you, your healing and your wellbeing.”
Although the event is free, registrations are required, and people are encouraged to book their spot by 10 February at counterpart.org.au/events/geelong-wbd or by calling 1300 781 500.
