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Topic starter
14/09/2026 1:39 am
I've mentioned a few times I volunteer at the remarkable Melbourne cancer hospital where the amazing staff and their equipment saved my life 14 years ago. We have a small team of therapy dogs who provide much support to our patients, their carers and staff. This is me this morning with Matilda. During covid the only volunteers able to come in were the dogs and their owners, mainly to support the very very under pressure staff. And a lovely story from that time. On one occasion one of Melbourne's leading surgeons quietly shed a tear while being comforted by Matilda.
This topic was modified 2 months ago by Geoff Jowett
14/09/2026 6:54 am
Bless you Geoff and Matilda for your service to others. I believe God made dogs to be the best "feel good Ambassadors" ever. A friend recently gave me a decal which I have placed on the back window of our car..." may life treat you the way you treat animals".
14/09/2026 7:24 am
Best of all, congrats on being cancer-free for 14 years. This past April I celebrated 21 years cancer-free. Like you, I have a profound thanks for our local hospital and its magnificent staff.
You're blessed with the added extra of therapy dogs and their immense value simply cannot be under appreciated; they help work wonders. I echo Bob, above in saying, Bless you and Matilda!
14/09/2026 8:05 am
Geoff, what a great pic of you both. Also, God bless both of you for being blessings to those in need. Im 12 years cancer free and have been immensely blessed myself. Every day the good Lord gives me I try not to take for granted. I look for ways to help others if I can.😊
14/09/2026 11:22 am
@bob-jackman That's perfect quote, Bob. Animal abusers are among the lowest forms of life.
14/09/2026 11:23 am
Hats off to you, Geoff. What rewarding "work" that must be.
14/09/2026 1:42 pm
And I agree with all of you who posted these comments. Bless you all and may you remain in great health !! To hear all your positivity is gratifying. Geoff and Matilda, you are both Heroes to me.
Please excuse me for changing the subject but I’d like to ask for thoughts and prayers for my nieces husband who has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Jason is 42 and never felt bad or sick so this diagnosis came as a shock. he and Jennifer have been married since 2010 and they’ve had such a fantastic, and loving relationship. They have three wonderful children, Easton 13, Evan, 11 and little Quinn, their miracle baby girl who will be 3 next May. We would appreciate prayers. Thank-you everyone. 🙏
Steve
This post was modified 2 months ago 2 times by Steve Jacobs
Topic starter
14/09/2026 5:04 pm
@100ford2003 thank you all. Must admit your responses prompted me to shed a quiet tear.
So sorry to hear your news Steve. While hard at times I know, its so important for all to stay positive. In recent years there have been so many breakthroughs in cancer treatment, improved radiation therapy processes and especially immunotherapy. I'm sure the U.S and Australia would have similar cancer treatment success rates where here we have gone from 47% survival rate beyond 5 years in 1985 to around 70% now. For me it helped to really try and focus on what we are doing today, just today, to get through it. Our wonderful hospital staff seemed to adopt the same approach. When in the middle of my treatment I'll always remember asking my amazing radiation therapy doctor "how did I get this?" Tsien responded simply "I dont know". He wasn't being dismissive or evasive, to him it just didn't matter at this time. Right now, today, we are focused on getting rid of it. Never once during my treatment, did I ask for, or was I given, a long term prognosis. A day at a time.
All my prayers and thoughts are with Jason Steve.
Geoff
14/09/2026 5:15 pm
Geoff,
I can’t even begin to thank you enough for all your thoughts and prayers. Cancer has not been an issue in my family so it is very surprising but then again Jason is from a different family. however my youngest brother has come down with prostate cancer. I pray to God to find out why am I in good health at 73 when my younger brother has come down with cancer…?
of course there are no answers for this and I understand that, but I pray, and I look up to the Lord every day.
thank you again,
steve
14/09/2026 5:21 pm
Thank-you. I love Jason with all my heart. The “Boys” and I have the most laughs playing board games and i love being at their soccer & Little League games 💕 I diligently pray every day that their Dad never leaves them.
This post was modified 2 months ago by Steve Jacobs
Tony Perrone and Geoff Jowett reacted
14/09/2026 5:29 pm
Thank you and prayers for everyone........ and a big hug and thanks to the wonderful dogs and other therapy animals. The animals certainly have invisible wings and I can confirm their wonderous ability to comfort and care about humans going through a tough time.
14/09/2026 5:32 pm
Thank you and prayers for everyone........ and a big hug and thanks to the wonderful dogs and other therapy animals. The animals certainly have invisible wings and I can confirm their wonderous ability to comfort and care about humans going through a tough time.
Michael, I believe you are so right and it’s incredible. What animals can do to us both dogs and cats and other animals also just truly incredible what God has provided us with to help us get through life
15/09/2026 1:13 pm
Our thanks to every one of you 🙏 💕
Steve
This post was modified 2 months ago by Steve Jacobs
Geoff Jowett and Tony Perrone reacted