Kane’s diagnosis rollercoaster
When a run-of-the-mill DIY job proved difficult to complete, 37-year-old Invercargill man Kane Woodward realised something was wrong. Faced with further worrying symptoms, his journey to a diagnosis had many twists and turns but was ultimately expedited by his insurance cover, without which his quality of life could now be much worse.
Usually handy with a screwdriver, Kane was surprised when he struggled to put together a kitset cabinet at his holiday home in Cromwell. Earlier that day he had also experienced a strong headache and an odd rushing sensation while driving. Kane and his fiancé Brooke began to grow concerned.
Back home in Invercargill, doctors put his symptoms down to a temporary case of Bell’s palsy and he was discharged without a good deal of information. However, he “just started getting progressively worse”. Writing became very difficult, his speech became slurred, and he “couldn’t walk more than ten metres without coming to a halt.”
Kane returned to the hospital, where he was given an MRI and a frightening diagnosis. He likely had a form of brain cancer. Unfortunately, doctors warned him to expect a significant wait to see a neurologist for treatment.
Luckily, Brooke knew about Kane’s Partners Life Private Medical Cover and wasted no time getting him urgent help. Within three days, she’d secured an appointment with one of the country’s top neurosurgeons in Christchurch. The couple quickly hit the road, receiving Partners Life’s pre-approval for the appointment during the trip.
In Christchurch, scans showed the tumour had doubled in size after just one week. The specialist suspected a grade three or four glioma, an aggressive cancer that’s usually incurable, but he believed he could do a biopsy by approaching through the frontal lobe.
While this sounded “a bit like a Saw movie” Kane and Brooke knew they had to proceed. With the risk in mind, they made the last-minute decision to tie the knot, eloping for a quick ceremony before Kane faced the knife.
After the surgery a new piece of unexpected news landed on Kane’s plate. The biopsy showed no sign of cancer cells and further tests determined that the lesion in his brain was caused by multiple sclerosis. While this diagnosis would usually have been devastating, for Kane and Brooke, “it felt like a lifeline.”
From there, Kane began treatment with a private neurologist in Christchurch. As it was caught so early his MS has remained mild, with an oral medication prescribed to help manage it.
Without his Partners Life Private Medical Cover, which covered the surgery, specialists, scans, and private hospital care to a sum of nearly $80,000, Kane isn’t sure where he would be today. He often reflects on the care he received, including the swift access to expertise and advanced technology that was so crucial in receiving a quick diagnosis and life-changing treatment.
