Lawrence lives despite the odds

Valerie Drew shares a kiss with her husband Lawrence.

LAWRENCE Drew was told by his doctor in 2008 that he was in peak health for his mid-60s age group.

A year later, tests for a nagging cough revealed something far more sinister – he had a rare form of leukaemia, T-cell lymphoma.

“That diagnosis knocks you. Everything changes,” Mr Drew said.

“When you learn that something could be terminal, it's quite scary. Last year, they thought I might have a couple of months to live.

“When I last saw the doctor, he said that timeframe has all changed. If the cancer stays as it is, I could lead a normal life."

Mr Drew, a Fernvale resident, is full of praise for Brisbane's PA Hospital and the Leukaemia Foundation.

“They put us up in the Clem Jones village near the QE2 Hospital,” he said. “I was there with my wife at no charge for about two months.

“I reckon I've had about $200,000 spent on me in medical care.”

After his health scare, Mr Drew says he enjoys every single day as it comes.

“I'm going well. I lost weight and went from 72kgs to 62kgs,” he said. “Now I'm up to 80kgs so I'm a little porky now.”

Mr Drew says people struck down with cancer in south-east Queensland are fortunate to have access to “great resources”.

Up until Friday, July 30, the foundation is holding its annual doorknock.

Its fundraising target is $1.2 million to pay for medical research and support services.

To find out more, visit www.doorknock.net.au or call 1800 152 211.