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- Deb's Story: Having Nicola as that constant person to have contact with makes such a difference
Deb's story: “Having Nicola as that constant person to have contact with makes such a difference"
For Deb McKnight, going through lung cancer has meant constant upheaval. Shifting treatments, the required closure of her small business and the emotional toll of not having family close have only deepened the hardship.
In the midst of it all, Deb has found a lifeline in McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Nicola Lanci, whose crucial support and advocacy has brought strength, clarity and much-needed guidance during the most challenging and uncertain times.
In March 2023 after feeling unwell, with a reduced appetite and nausea and having gone back and forth to Doctors, Deb knew something wasn’t right. She took herself to hospital, to find out why she couldn’t keep food down, all of which led to dramatic weight loss. Leading to an X-ray, revealing a shadow on her lung. The discovery prompted a CT scan which ultimately led to the diagnosis. It was lung cancer.
Unfortunately, Deb’s initial treatment stopped working and the cancer spread to her liver.
“My treatment started as just an oral medication, one tablet a day for a year. Then it stopped being effective, and spots were found on my liver in April 2024. After that I started having two types of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, every three weeks.”
- Deb
“After the first four sessions they dropped off one of the two chemotherapies, and then in September 2024 I was able to stop chemotherapy all together but have been continuing with the immunotherapy.”
Devastatingly, in early 2025, the cancer progressed to Deb’s brain, requiring a new treatment pathway.
“In January 2025 they found a spot on my brain from a CT scan, and in March this year I had saber targeted radiation to treat that. I’ve now had subsequent CT’s and it’s looking stable in my chest, and I continue with the immunotherapy every three weeks. It’s all so brutal on your body.”
New outlook on life
Having moved from Western Australia over 30 years ago, Deb lives in Melbourne, where she relies on her son and close friends for support, while the rest of her family remains in WA.
“My son knew right from the start. He has coped okay, but he has his moments. I just worry about him when I go, but he’s got fantastic work colleagues and they all love him dearly, that makes a big difference.”
As a single mum who was forced to close her small cleaning business because of cancer treatment, the past couple of years have been incredibly tough on Deb. Yet despite it all, she’s determined to seize every opportunity that comes her way this year.
“This is my year of yes. Whenever I get invited anywhere or to anything, within reason, I say yes.”
- Deb
“I went to the Melbourne comedy festival shows with friends, I’m planning to go to Vietnam later this year, and I visited Werribee Zoo after they moved the elephants as I love elephants and even have a couple of elephant tattoos.”
Relationship with McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Nicola Lanci
Deb speaks passionately about her McGrath Cancer Care Nurse, Nicola, and the invaluable support she’s received. While much of their connection has been through telehealth, Nicola has always been there in person when it mattered most – during treatments and consultations at Sunshine Hospital.
“When I found out about the spot in my brain earlier this year, Nicola came to the appointment with me and my son. Just knowing that I have her there in the background, ready to answer my questions is incredibly reassuring. Her support and care, especially coming to the radiology appointment with me, meant the world.”
Nicola also reflects on the experience in early 2025 when she was able to support Deb through the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer lesion on her brain.
“Deb struggles with claustrophobia so the need to have both an MRI and saber targeted brain radiation caused a lot of anxiety. I was able to attend that appointment and advocate for her to ensure she was feeling confident enough to go through with the scans and treatment.
“Deb ended up needing to go under general anesthesia to have both the scans and brain treatment, this allowed her to feel comfortable. Undergoing the treatment, it was essential that she was physically still throughout, but it was also important that her anxiety was minimised where possible. I needed to be an advocate for her at that time.”
Deb speaks gratefully about the continuity of care that Nicola has provided.
“I’m not always able to have the same oncologist, but having Nicola as that constant person to have contact with makes such a difference.”
- Deb
McGrath Cancer Care Nurse Nicola Lanci on Deb
Nicola speaks proudly of the support and advocacy that she has been able to provide Deb, made possible by the ability to have more in-depth, meaningful conversations in her role.
“Connecting with patients and understanding their emotional needs are as important as their medical needs as I’ve been able to with Deb. It helps to build trust.
“It’s a privilege to have those deeper conversations and truly understand patients’ deepest thoughts and fears at the most vulnerable time in their lives. That’s the beauty of my role as a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse. At the heart, it’s about connection.”
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