‘LIVING THREE MONTHS AT A TIME’: SWIMMER’S BATTLE WITH CANCER
FOR Claire Reaburn, life is lived just three months at a time.
While the rest of Australia write their new year’s resolutions and mark out their calendars, she is looking at getting to May.
Mrs Reaburn has a rare form of ovarian cancer called juvenile granulosa cell tumour.
Every three months, scientists take blood markers which determine whether her tumours are growing or not, and the answer can mean a world of difference.
If they go up, Mrs Reaburn’s drug treatments will change, and conversations around radiation, surgery or chemotherapy begin — many of which she has already undergone.
“They’re hard, because when they tell you whether the cancer is stabilised or off again you always think ‘What are we in for this time?’”
Mrs Reaburn said. She is the oldest female in Australia to have the illness, and one of only six females in the country – and there’s no known cause.
But Mrs Reaburn’s husband Peter is determined to fix that, and since her diagnosis 10 years ago has been fundraising with the Miami Masters Swim Club for Rare Ovarian Cancer Incorporated.
With the help of friends, Mr Reaburn raised over $150,000 riding bikes from Canberra to the MCG in 2022, while the swim club has raised over $12,000 over the past two years at its annual swimathon.
“They’re pretty special people (at Miami Masters Swim Club),” Mrs Reaburn said.
“Every year for a long time the club has done a special fundraising event, and since I’ve been with the club for the last two years, they’ve done it for ROC Inc.
“That’s pretty special, but also it’s their friendship, they’re all so caring and check on how you’re going, when you’re not well they’ll send flowers.”
“It’s a s--t of a thing (cancer),” Mr Reaburn said.
“If you’re driving and see the words ‘F--k cancer’ on the back of a car on a sticker, it’s like that.
“I describe it as a rollercoaster, with this type of cancer it never goes away, it’s always there.”
Mrs Reaburn’s ties to the club go back decades, when she first attended it in 1988 before moving to Mackay for 20 years.
Before her diagnosis, Mrs Reaburn was a champion swimmer in her own right.
The 63-year-old was once coached by esteemed coach Laurie Lawrence and even holds the world record for the masters 25-29 year 800m freestyle.
Signs and symptoms for rare ovarian cancer – which include bloating, fullness, a change in bowel habits and frequent urination – are hard to spot, because they are often common in women who have had children.
Mrs Reaburn, who has two daughters, said her telltale sign was bloating in her normally lean stomach.
“It’s tough. But most of the time I’m pretty well, people look at me and they say you look fantastic, there’s a lot they don’t know about or see. I’m one of the lucky ones, I’m still here.
“When I was first diagnosed I looked up what it was, and there was an 80 per cent chance I wouldn’t be around after five years, and it’s been 10 years now and I’m still living a good life.”
Miami’s swimathon, known as the Swim for Claire, is set to take place in October with another one planned for April 2024.