A new lease on life – Jane’s triumph over a rare disease

Motorbiking across Europe with her husband is high on Jane Rout’s bucket list. A mum of three and grandmother to eight, she’s never been one to sit on her laurels.

“Having that quality of life, to be able to really enjoy each day and everything that comes with it has always been really important to me.”

Jane’s zest for life was the driving force behind her decision to undergo a gruelling stem cell transplant at Christchurch Hospital earlier this year. She hoped the procedure would help her get her life back after being diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow disorder, in 2011.

“I’d been experiencing a lot of fatigue and bone pain in my legs, and it was only getting worse.”

Jane and husband Steve, who live in Queenstown, had spoken at length about stem cell treatment over the years.

“Primary myelofibrosis is known as the watch and wait disease. After a few good years, with some challenges along the way, I knew the wait was pretty much over for me. It was time to reclaim my health.”

After failing to find a match in the worldwide database of stem cell donors, Jane’s sons, Maru and Jesse, put their hand up to help. Incredibly, tests deemed them both a successful match.

“They both really wanted to help – my oldest son, Maru was based in Christchurch so it made sense for him to be the donor,” says Jane.

What happened next was a blur of tests, radiation and chemotherapy.

“It was really tough. I was completely zonked, I couldn’t even walk 30 metres, let alone eat.”

Steve stayed by Jane’s side throughout her treatment. Knowing he was able to stay at Rānui House, just across the road from Christchurch Hospital, is something Jane says she will be “forever grateful” for.                “The staff at Rānui House are so lovely. It was a relief to know Steve would be able to walk across the road to the hospital in a matter of minutes.

“I don’t think I could have done this without him. It’s been so important for me to have him on this journey. He’s always been 100% behind me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

After being given the all-clear from specialists to leave the ward, Jane joined Steve at Rānui House. In the five months that followed, she gradually regained her strength.

“It’s so much more than having a roof over your head,” says Steve.

“It’s about the people that wrap this all up and make it what it is on a daily basis. From the amazing staff to the dinner programme on a Tuesday night and the volunteers that come in – it’s all been hugely enlightening to know there’s people out there that want to help and be part of this.”

The pair spent a total of 159 nights at Rānui House. On Jane’s good days, they would visit nearby Hagley Park. Being in close proximity to the city’s many offerings took the stress away, enabling Jane to focus on just one thing – getting better.

Jane is now cured of primary myelofibrosis and is looking forward to time spent with family and travelling the world.

“Words can’t express how elated I feel. This was my chance and my opportunity to live a lot longer and extend my life.”

But her and Steve will never forget the kindness they experienced at Rānui House.

“The staff’s smiling faces, cheerful, caring concern and encouragement made a real difference to our days. It is more than a House … it was our home away from home and we will never forget that special place.”