The Bethanga woman didn’t know if what she was experiencing was normal for someone undergoing chemotherapy and says having a nurse to call would have been a huge help.

“In the past fortnight when I was in trouble with my voice and my hands, I really didn’t know who to ring,” Mrs Grant said.

“I was worried, my hand just looked as though it was burnt and that frightened me.

“It depends on the treatment but visits to the doctor can be weeks apart.

“Just to talk to someone who can say, ‘well that’s from the chemo’ would’ve been nice.”

The Hume Regional Integrated Cancer Services is holding a lunch in Albury on Friday as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Funds raised will go towards a clinical nurse phone service being planned by the Kylie Johnston Lung Cancer Network, which is part of the Australian Lung Foundation.

Ms Johnston was a healthy, non-smoking woman who died from lung cancer in November 2007, four years after she was diagnosed.

Friday’s lunch will also be a chance for Border residents living with lung cancer to meet and learn more about available treatments and research.

Cancer care co-ordinator at the Murray Valley Private Hospital Robyn Sharman said there was a lack of lung cancer support services on the Border and hoped to use the lunch as a chance to start up a support group.

“We’re very aware there are many people around here who are diagnosed but there are no support groups or anything,” she said.

“Many of the other cancer patients have lots of support groups, like breast cancer and even prostate cancer is getting a lot of support groups, but lung cancer, and even colon cancer, particularly in regional areas just don’t have that support.

“Even if we only can get about eight of us and we only meet about once a month, it’s a start.”

The two-course lunch costs $25 and will be held at Cafe Borellas at 12.30pm.

To book phone Ms Sharman on (02) 6057 5203.