Our Cancer Journey: Living Through Cancer as Patient, Practitioners and Caregiver

Author: Dr Danny T. Siegenthaler
Chinese Medicine Practitioner – MSc. (TCM), BSc. (Hons.), DTCM; DAc (Aust/China)

When Cancer Becomes Personal

Our cancer journey began unexpectedly. As healthcare practitioners we had spent many years supporting people living with cancer, but nothing prepared us for becoming part of that journey ourselves. Like many healthcare practitioners, we understood cancer from a theoretical and clinical perspective, but then it became personal.

What followed was a journey that changed not only our personal lives but also the way we approach patient care. We experienced the uncertainty, fear, disruption and resilience that accompany a cancer diagnosis, not as practitioners observing from the outside, but as people living our cancer journey.

While Danny experienced cancer as both patient and practitioner, Susan experienced the same journey from a different perspective: as a practitioner, partner, caregiver and source of support.

Together, these experiences deepened our understanding of what people and families face during diagnosis, treatment and recovery, and continue to shape the way we support patients today.

Danny’s Story: When the Practitioner Becomes the Patient

As a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, Danny had spent decades helping others improve their health and wellbeing. Like many clinicians, he was familiar with the realities of serious illness through the experiences of his patients. Yet nothing quite prepares you for becoming the patient yourself.

What began as a seemingly minor and persistent symptom eventually led to further investigations and then waiting for biopsy results and finally a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The diagnosis was unexpected and confronting. Suddenly, the familiar clinical landscape looked very different. This was the beginning of our cancer journey.

Medical appointments became personal. Treatment decisions carried emotional weight. Conversations that had once been professional became deeply personal.

The experience brought an entirely new appreciation for what patients endure throughout their cancer journey.

The uncertainty between tests and results.
The emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis.
The physical challenges associated with simultaneously beginning chemotherapy and radiation.
The disruption to family life, work and future plans.
The vulnerability that comes with placing your trust in others.

As treatment progressed, Danny experienced firsthand the challenges that many patients describe but that are difficult to fully understand without living through them. Fatigue, uncertainty, changes in physical capacity, and the emotional ups and downs of recovery all became part of daily life.

At the same time, his clinical background allowed him to observe the process from a unique perspective. He could appreciate both the strengths and limitations of modern healthcare while recognising the importance of comprehensive support that addresses the whole person rather than simply the diagnosis.

The experience reinforced a belief that recovery is about more than surviving treatment. It is also about rebuilding wellbeing, confidence, resilience and quality of life.

Today, as both a practitioner and cancer survivor, Danny understands through lived experience the challenges his patients face and utilises his experience and understanding to help them.

Susan’s Story: The View from the Other Side

Cancer does not affect only the person who receives the diagnosis. It also affects their partners, families, children, friends and everyone who cares about them.

For Susan, the experience was one of supporting a loved one while simultaneously drawing upon her own professional background in natural medicine. Although her clinical experience provided valuable knowledge and perspective, it did not remove the emotional realities of the situation.

There were still moments of uncertainty, fear and anxiety, difficult conversations. There were also still fears about treatment, recovery and the future.

As many partners and caregivers discover, supporting someone through cancer often involves balancing practical responsibilities with emotional support. There is a constant desire to help while recognising that some aspects of the journey are beyond anyone’s control.

The experience provided a deeper understanding of the often overlooked challenges faced by caregivers and family members.

Partners frequently carry significant emotional burdens while attempting to remain strong and supportive.

Families adapt their routines around treatment schedules and appointments.

Loved ones experience their own fears and anxieties while focusing attention on the person receiving treatment.

These experiences highlighted an important truth – that cancer support must extend beyond the patient. Meaningful care recognises the needs of the entire support network.

This understanding continues to influence the way we work with individuals and families affected by cancer.

What We Learned From Our Cancer Journey

We recognise that every cancer journey is different. We are not sharing our experience because we believe it is unique, but because we know many patients feel isolated. If aspects of our journey help someone feel understood or less alone, then sharing it has served its purpose.

We learned that every cancer journey is unique.

We learned that information alone is rarely enough. Patients also need to be shown compassion, understanding and given practical support.

We learned that recovery is not always a straight line.

We learned that families often need support just as much as patients, if not more so.

We learned that quality of life matters at every stage of the journey.

We also learned that keeping a positive frame of mind and attitude will go a long way to help recovery.

Most importantly, we learned that people facing cancer often want to feel heard, understood and supported as individuals, not simply treated as a diagnosis.

Our experiences through our cancer journey reinforced the importance of looking beyond symptoms and test results to understand the broader impact that cancer can have on physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, work, identity and daily life.

Interacting with GPs, Specialists and other Medical Professionals.

One of the other things we learned along our cancer journey is that asking questions is crucial to both the patient and the caregiver. No question is a stupid question, because the answer will provide clarity and understanding for the patient and/or caregiver.

Surgeons and Oncologists will not by themselves offer more that the basic information they have to pass on by law, however, they have much more information if you ask the right questions. What are the right questions? If you don’t know what questions to ask, ask your GP or click here for some ideas.

By the way, if you do not feel comfortable with one of your doctors, there are plenty of others. Just talk to your GP or other specialist and tell them how you feel. They will help if you ask.

How Our Experience Changed Our Practice

Our cancer journey did not change our commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred care; It strengthened it.

The experience deepened our appreciation for the importance of listening carefully to each person’s story and understanding the many challenges they may be facing beyond their medical treatment.

It reinforced the value of supporting wellbeing throughout treatment and recovery.

The experience gained from our cancer journey highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as fatigue, mental stress, sleep disturbances, digestive health, emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life.

It also strengthened our commitment to supporting not only patients but also their families and caregivers who walk alongside them.

Today, our approach to cancer recovery support is informed by both professional and lived experience.

We understand the uncertainty that often accompanies a diagnosis.
We understand the physical and emotional demands of treatment.
We understand that recovery extends beyond the completion of medical treatment.
And we understand that every person’s journey is different.

Danny and Susan have more than 80 years of combined experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, naturopathy and Western herbal medicine. Our professional knowledge has been profoundly shaped by our own experience of navigating colorectal cancer as patient, partner and as practitioners. This combination of clinical and lived experience continues to influence every aspect of the care and treatments we provide.

Moving Forward

Cancer became part of our story, but it does not define it. The lessons we learned along our cancer journey continue to shape the way we support people facing their own cancer journeys.

Whether you are newly diagnosed, undergoing cancer treatment, recovering after treatment, or supporting a loved one through the process, we understand that the experience can be very challenging and at times overwhelming.

Our goal is to provide compassionate, personalised support that acknowledges the realities of the journey while helping people move forward with confidence, resilience and hope.

Because sometimes the most meaningful support comes from someone who has walked a similar path.

If our experience has taught us anything, it is that no one should have to face cancer feeling alone. Whether you are beginning treatment, recovering afterwards, or supporting someone you love, we hope the understanding we gained through our own journey helps you feel heard, supported and cared for.

Written and reviewed by Dr Danny T. Siegenthaler, Chinese Medicine Practitioner – MSc. (TCM), BSc. (Hons.), DTCM; DAc (Aust/China)
AHPRA Registration Number: CMR0001712202; Member of ATMS No. 23926