By Jennifer Spilsbury
November 18, 2024
A 70th birthday trip to Europe should have been a joyous occasion for Speewah man Willem Van Vliet, instead it marked the beginning of a fight for life.
Mr Van Vliet, now 71, began experiencing changes in his bowel and bladder habits but had to cut short the holiday to urgently visit his doctor at home when the pain became too much.
The diagnosis was prostate cancer with the tumour already having spread throughout his body.
“It’s everywhere. It’s in my bones, it’s in my brain, it’s in my lungs and my skin,” Mr Van Vliet said.
He is receiving lifesaving chemotherapy treatment via injection and orally in pill form but the side-effects are diminishing his muscles.
“These medicines are lifesavers, the side effects though, will eventually kill me.”
Since May Mr Van Vliet has been attending COUCH Wellness Centre three times a week for specialist gym sessions with an exercise physiologist to build strength and stamina.
“Without this I would by now have trouble walking.”
COUCH Wellness Centre off Reservoir Rd is facing strong headwinds with federal funding to cease in March forcing it to rely on community donations.
COUCH board chairman Dr Scott Davis said there had been a lot of work done to position the centre for the future as cancer rates climbed.
There has been a 124 per cent increase in the number of clients accessing services over the past three years prompting the creation of a consolidation and growth plan requiring $1.5m annually.
Dr Davis said there had been ongoing conversations about future government funding but invited the community to become a “Champion of COUCH” this Christmas by signing up to donate $2,700 per annum.
More than 600 cancer-impacted locals like Mr Van Vliet have accessed the centre since 2019 which provides integrative oncology services such as dietetics, exercise and massage.
While Mr Van Vliet has stepchildren he lives alone making COUCH a link to society.
“This place is specialised for cancer patients. A really good thing that I didn’t know at first is meeting other people who have the same problem, because you can easily sink into a hole thinking, ‘it’s only me’.
“All the people working here are professionals who have lots of experience with cancer patients.
“I feel it’s easier to come here to get treatment about my issues because they immediately know what I’m talking about.
“So with all this here at COUCH, I can maybe make it to another 10 years but not 20.”
To become a Champion of COUCH: Call 4032 0820 or email: champions@couch.org.au