Asri Parkinson
Appearing on our cover had a long-lasting impact for a primary school teacher
Words: Nakita Ardern
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When Asri Parkinson agreed to be the face of 2010 pink magazine she could not have comprehended the impact it would have on her life and the lives of others.
In 2008, the primary school teacher’s life was changed forever when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She endured a gruelling 10 months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy before going into remission in September 2009. Asri’s journey was one no young adult should have to bear, yet she did and with an unarguably resilient spirit.
“The reason I wanted to do the cover was because I had read previous issues and found them to be so useful when going through my breast cancer,” Asri explains. “It came at a really good time for me. I had finished all my treatments and it was part of my recovery process. So many people had helped me through my journey and this was a way I could be that person to someone else.”
The feedback Asri received was ‘overwhelming’. An old high school friend even tracked her down on behalf of his mother’s friend to thank her for her inspirational insights.
This encouraging reaction got Asri through the last 12 months which have, unfortunately, brought a downturn for the upbeat 28-year-old.
In March this year, Asri began experiencing extreme dizziness and even walking became an almost impossible task. She went to her GP who diagnosed her with vertigo. Thinking she had contracted a U2 song, Asri was told she had an imbalance in her ears and was assured the sensation would pass.
The next week the resolute teacher went on a school camp, but when she was crippled with dizziness to the point of crawling on the ground she knew the cancer had returned.
Asri was referred to the neurology department at Waikato Hospital and put on a 2-6 month waiting list for an appointment.
“I was told to keep coming back to my GP if the problems persisted and they’d try to bump me up the waiting list. I kept thinking, ‘How am I going to last six months of this?’”
Luckily Asri had her yearly follow-up radiation appointment soon after. Her doctor performed a few basic hand-eye coordinator tests and immediately sent her for scans.
Cancer had returned to her brain, spine and there were concerns with her right ovary. A CT scan and MRI found a tumour on the back of Asri’s brain with a cyst attached to it that was putting pressure on her brain; affecting her balance.
Surgery was scheduled for the cyst to be drained and Asri underwent 10 sessions of radiation on her head.
“It wasn’t so bad the second time around,” Asri says – a testimony to her fighting spirit. “The last time my nails got all pussey and started detaching from the skin underneath. This time my nails are really nice and normal. And when my head started to hurt this time I knew my hair was about to fall out so I was ready.
“Last time, as I regained more energy I started taking on more things and got busier and busier. Having cancer the second time has been eye-opening. I’ve learnt you have to stop and take care of yourself. If you’re tired, you have a sleep. I would lie on the couch but my mind would be ticking away with all the things I had to do. Now I’m listening to my body.”
It is this positive spirit that is so inspiring about Asri. In the face of extreme opposition she sets her focus on constructive thoughts and gets through.
“I know a lot of people like to really research what they have but to keep my positive attitude I limit myself to knowing what I need to, to get through at that time. I haven’t read any of my paperwork and I haven’t read any of my scans – I refuse to. I’m a visual person and when I go to bed at night I don’t want to be seeing those images in my head. My husband, Daara has been feeding me information because he knows how much I can handle. My parents have been amazing and positive too. Those three have been working together to feed me what I need to know.”
Because the tumour was on her brain, Asri is not allowed to drive anymore. She relies on Daara to take her to work in the mornings, and staff at school, friends or her parents to take her home afterwards. And because of the risk of having seizure her radiation doctor has recommended she be with someone 24/7.
“I went from being this fiercely independent person to relying on everyone, which was really hard. I was always the one helping others. But I’ve accepted it now. It’s been good for me to learn to ask for help.
“I feel really good in myself. I’m working three days a week at Vardon School. They’ve been amazing and have allowed me to do what I feel comfortable doing. All I want is to function like a normal person.”
“I have no idea how long I’ll be on chemo. I’ve decided I will not let this rule my life. It is a part of me but it does not control what I do. This will not hold me back.”
