22 November 2024
How do you thank someone for saving your life?
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Jenkins chose a blend of heart-felt appreciation, humility and a dose of humour when he acknowledged staff at the Enoggera Health Centre (EHC), Gallipoli Barracks.
The 54-year-old was diagnosed with throat cancer at the start of 2024 during his second year at Headquarters 1st (Australian) Division.
An intensive, physically punishing regime resulted in being cancer-free in August.
Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins’ ordeal began with a lump on his throat, which raised the suspicions of veteran EHC Doctor Madhu Patel.
Dr Patel’s quick action to get it diagnosed led to almost eight months of aggressive treatment that would test even the strongest soldier.
“I went through 35 treatments of radiation and three rounds of chemotherapy, which has a cumulative effect,” Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins said.
“Every day you go into the hospital for treatment and then they put you into a machine. You come out and you just feel horrible.”
He said Anzac Day was a reminder of the bonds of mateship and the sacrifice of service.
“I always look on Anzac Day as being a great opportunity for me to catch up with friends, but most importantly it always meant having my family around me,” he said.
“I went through 35 treatments of radiation and three rounds of chemotherapy, which has a cumulative effect."
“So to be in hospital on Anzac Day was really, really hard emotionally, and mentally difficult for me.
“I got wheeled out in a wheelchair to a dawn service at the hospital by a guy in the room next door who happened to know I was in the military.
“I was fortunate to have my family and mates of mine, like Major Brian Nally and Lieutenant Colonel Scott Hill from the headquarters, come and spend time with me that day.
“And then, out of nowhere, Dr Patel came and she brought her husband and her son to meet me, and it was really special.
“It certainly eased what was probably the most emotional day. It is such a traditional thing for me and I couldn’t commemorate it appropriately.”
When he received the news that he was cancer-free his first thought was to personally thank Dr Patel and the entire EHC staff.
Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins presented a set of Gallipoli coins to Dr Patel and the staff, including senior clinician Dr Andrik Lohman, EHC manager Major Alison Reardon, senior pharmacist Deborah Gregory, physio Katie Boswood and her team, dentist Dr Jordan Birrell, the receptionists and everyone in between.
“There wasn’t a day in the entire time that I was crook that I didn’t feel like there was a whole army of people behind me,” Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins said.
“It was the EHC that the Army entrusted to give me that support, and it is not a thing that they are used to dealing with.
“They’re met with a mid-50s guy who has got throat cancer; who can’t really talk too well because his voice won’t work and has all these weird things that need doctors and specialists, dieticians, speech therapists, exercise physiologists and psychologists that are not in their usual realm.”
As part of his treatment, Lieutenant Colonel Jenkins decided to document his journey, taking photos and creating a video he has called I Got By with My Friends.
“There wasn’t a day in the entire time that I was crook that I didn’t feel like there was a whole army of people behind me."
He had this to say to others: “My first message is don’t ignore lumps and bumps.
“But the most important message I have is that being in the Army is not just wearing a uniform and showing up every day. The Army is a family, and they will look after you. Some days maybe you don’t feel that way, but when you are sick you want an army behind you.
“You don’t want to be on your own. Being in the Army, we are lucky.”
