Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner went to see her doctor about a niggling pain in her hip and discovered she had non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Her Excellency confirmed her condition on Sunday morning, but assured Tasmanians she intended to keep working through her treatment.
“I have been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, and the good news is that this is very treatable and curable, although I will have to undergo a course of chemotherapy,” Her Excellency said.
“I’m very hopeful that this won’t cause too much disruption to my role… I’m assured that, as I am fit and healthy otherwise, that I should respond well to the treatment and, hopefully, I will also tolerate it well,” she said.
The diagnosis came after the Governor had an MRI and found she has a cracked hip.
“When it hadn’t mended we had to do a bit more investigation and, hence, found out that I had lymphoma,” Her Excellency said.
“I am very confident in the medical treatment that I’ve been getting from the Royal and from my doctors and so impressed with the treatment that we get in our wonderful public hospital,” she said.
The Cancer Council Tasmania patron said she had already learned a lot about cancer through that role, but had since found out more as a result of her condition.
She said she was confident in her treatment plan and determined to keep working.
“I’m quite a single-minded person, so I really hope that I will be able to put this cancer thing in its little box, let the doctors do the treatment and ... focus on my role and to fulfil my duties. If I’m unable to, at any stage, then we have contingency arrangements for that,” Her Excellency said.
“I would also like that thank the wonderful staff at Government House. I probably have been causing them a little bit of consternation because I’ve been dashing off for various tests and so on,” she said.
Premier Will Hodgman wished the Governor “the very best” for her upcoming treatment on behalf of Tasmanians.
“Her Excellency advised me of the results of her tests late last week and I was very pleased, but not surprised, that the Governor might wish to continue in her role and to undertake her duties,” Mr Hodgman said.
“All Tasmanians would well appreciate the considerable enthusiasm, energy and commitment that Kate Warner has dedicated to this important job over a number of years, ably supported by Mr Warner,” he said.
The Governor’s official secretary David Owen assured Her Excellency Government House staff would be “right with you all the way through the commencement of this challenge”.
“We greatly respect to office of the Governor of Tasmania and it is a great privilege and a pleasure to work for, and with, the Governor and Mr Warner. It’s in that spirit that we will continue through with you until the end of your term later this year,” Mr Owen said.
Tasmania’s government will continue as normal.
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
