Imagine trying to help run the country and you get slapped with cancer. Lisa Chesters, elected as the federal member for Bendigo five times running, has faced this very scenario.

Lisa was very generous with her time in sharing her experience of having melanoma in her eye—a very rare form of the disease. This conversation offers insight into how she coped mentally and what she wishes she had done differently at the time. Lisa also reflects on federal politics: her gratitude for the Australian healthcare system, thoughts on how it could be improved, the realities of taking leave as a sitting politician, and the ways parliament has become more compassionate toward members facing personal health challenges. She also discusses a major life decision that cancer prompted her to make.

We are grateful to Lisa for sitting down to chat. We wish her well as she seeks to help Australia become a place that is fair for all, with quality healthcare accessible for everyone.

We would love to hear from you if this episode resonated with you, if you have questions, or if you just want to let us know you’re listening. You can email us at hello@chemotionalrollercoaster.com

New episodes of Chemotional Rollercoaster are published weekly, on Thursdays, Australian Eastern Time.

Lastly, Chemotional Rollercoaster is not a substitute for seeking one’s own professional advice. The strategies and skills discussed in all Chemotional Rollercoaster episodes are either what has worked for Glynn or his guests, specifically, or are things discussed in a general way. Anyone who is dealing with their own health issues, mental or physical, should seek their own professional advice on what may help to support them, uniquely. Often, the best place to start is your family doctor or GP. If anyone is struggling, and needs to talk immediately, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Thanks go out to Rory Chambers, as always, for his music featured in this episode (info@rorychambers.com).

Chemotional Rollercoaster is presented by Glynn Chambers

Production, sound and editing by Rose Paton

Music by Rory Chambers ©2024 info@rorychambers.com

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