Meeting her oncologist for the first time, Jo received two pieces of shocking news: her cancer was incurable and the huge cost of life-extending drugs. She tells Colleen about adjusting to a new routine dictated by treatment, learning to accept help and her anger at paying GST on unfunded medicines.

A range of organisations, including the Cancer Society and Bowel Cancer NZ, offer support services and information to cancer patients and their whanau. For a longer list, visit Health Navigator.