Evie

Thought it'd be nice to have a place to commemorate such an important date. For those of you who don't know, here's the low-down on Delta's July the 8th:

A year later Delta got back into the swing of things, releasing her follow up to the very successful Innocent Eyes, with Mistaken Identity in 2004, and embarking on her first ever tour [The Visualise Tour], the first OFFICIAL tour date being scheduled for July the 8th 2005 [in Perth Australia]. She's since made a full recovery, and, as mentioned below, spends a good portion of her time working with cancer charities.

It's funny, in all this time it's never clicked that we don't have a thread to discuss her illness, what she's done to promote health awareness amongst young people, the Alternative Hair Show etc - there’s heaps to talk about..so let's get to it!

Feel free to share any pictures, quotes, stories [how was the media coverage where you were?], memories [ie. her braving it to attend the Arias in 2003 to collect her many trophies, mags here referred to the Arias that year as “The Deltas” because of the way she swept the floor with her wins ] you might have..how has she inspired you?

Anywho, me personally..I always liked Delta and thought she was an amazing artist, but to see what she went through..I know [and she’s even said this herself] that there are people out there who are going through tougher things than her, but to have to undergo treatment in front of the whole country..that takes guts. She held herself amazingly well back then [as usu.] and she never complained.

"You'reMyLittleSnowAngel"

Great post & post idea, Evie.

~*bitterswt*~

Really great idea Evie, I've found that it's a little odd that we've never had a proper thread in which to discuss her illness either. At least we do now.

As for me - I had never really heard much about Delta or her diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma around the date that it happened. Like I've said before, I did however, notice the "get well soon Delta" signatures and avatars that many of you were sporting around that time. It was only with her NS appearance and my discover of this board that I further asked about what had happened to Delta at that time and uncovered the information on her story.

Obviously, hearing how this extraordinarly talented and admirably optimistic/bubbly young woman had undergone such a dramatic journey only made my admiration of Delta's courage and strength increase. It's not everyone that can come out of something like cancer and be able to continue moving forward with their lives with such passion and vigor as she has!

I think it's particularly courageous of her to be able to put her pent-up emotions and release them into something constructive like songwriting. In penning such powerful songs such as Extraordinary Day, with lyrics that strikingly stand for the experience she went through, it's as if Delta's sharing a very personal moment with her fans. She has not only overcome this illness, but has managed to allow the aftermath and resulting experiences make her stronger. And in the usual Delta fashion, she makes bad experiences turn into something good, a recent example being her involvement with the Alternative Hair Show.

And I'd like to include this article, from December 2003, that I found very well-written and moving, especially the ending line:

The full article can be read here.

It's just really amazing to see how far Delta has come. I'll always continue rooting for her in whatever she does.

Madame Butterfly

Evie

Glad you guys like the topic!

What a great article, Kay! Thanks for linking to it, it was a good read.

I actually never thought about the way some people could have thought to exploit her illness for media coverage. I know she got TONS of media coverage, but I just figured it was because everyone adored her [which they did..still do] and they wanted to report on how she was doing..sort of like they were doing US a favour, filling us in & not keeping us in the dark, not because they realized there was profits to be gained from exploiting her.

Here's another article that talks about it: Delta Goodrem: Encyclopedia II - Delta Goodrem - Cancer

An excerpt from it:

I know her camp knew they had a good thing with her, because of how successful she was before her illness was announced but [and perhaps I shouldn't be too naive about it] I think it's ridiculous to believe her people would want to take advantage of her that way. And anyway, if that WAS the case, I seriously doubt Delta would have stood for it.

I know she did some appearances, but I guessed it was like the Arias situation where she had to rev herself up for it, both mentally & physically, preparing herself well in advance because of how drained she was feeling at the time. It's not like she could just hop out of bed every day and bound off to a bunch of different appearances!

I told you guys that I went to that lunch right, the one she went to after her illness was announced, but just prior to NMNI being released. Well, we hadn't heard anything from her and she did come but was with her dad and her people, so she was well looked after. I think, if you've got the energy to get out and about you should! She was lovely, and that's always going to be a highlight in my fangirling memory bank, that's for sure.

Medine: that's the thing, I thought it would be good to both mark and celebrate the date in particular because it illustrates both the negatives and positives that came out of the whole thing. Everyone has their problems/issues/experiences, it's amazing that she always comes through these things with a newfound appreciation for it, what it did for her, and basically just her appreciation for life.

I loved the AYAT montage too! Click here for anyone who hasn't seen it. [I don't think it's the full montage, or..the actual one - it's more of a picture one, but it gives you the gist.] I can't believe she's been so lovely about sharing that part of her life with us. I spose that's what you do when you're in the public eye and you have an audience who wants to know what's happened with you, but still, she's been really open about things and I think that's amazingly brave.

"You'reMyLittleSnowAngel"

She was & is so brave! I'm so glad she's come through it all fine, that she was willing to share her experience through talking about it and through the amazing songs she's written since, and that she's continuing to do what she loves to do...with a smile on her face!

Evie

Clearly that's why people love her so much. She never wanted the attention but if people want to listen she was/is happy to tell them her story. There's no ego or desire for sympathy..it is what it is.

~*bitterswt*~

This is the first time that I've really heard about that particular issue. I have a tough time believing the idea of her management exploiting her illness for media coverage to be true. Like you've said, I doubt that Delta would have let that kind of thing happen. And it's awful that there were rumors going around sugguesting that her diagnosis was false because she was making public appearances. My first complaint is that if anyone has ever seen an interview with Delta or met her in person, that should give them the indication that she's not the type of person who would use the terrible situation she was placed in to her advantage somehow. And secondly, it's obvious that she was very self-concious about going out in public and doing an appearance at such a huge event like the ARIAs - I remember that article that Kat linked to a while back in which Delta mentioned that she was shaken and a bundle of nerves at the thought of going down the red carpet wearing a wig.

To hear Delta discussing her apperance at the ARIAs that year, you can see the clip here.

I don't think I was around when you may have mentioned going to that lunch, Evie, but that sounds like it was a great fangirly experience. I think the fact that Delta went out to those things makes perfect sense. Why not be out and about, surrounded by people who look after you and take care of you, meeting fans? It beats the alternative of going through something so scary all alone and locked up at home or at the hospital.

Thanks for the link to the AYAT montage Evie, it was really beautiful.

Evie

I'll do a proper reply to your post later Kay, but what do you reckon the stance is on posting pictures from the lunch? If I recall correctly some pics from it are in the AYAT montage [she had the bob cut and a green off-the-shoulder top on].

I know they didn't want the pics released back around that time [probably because of the way the media would have posted them all over the news - her with her even shorter 'do before the effects of the cancer & treatment started in] so we never did, but since it featured briefly on the montage I'm not too sure about it. I wanna share it 'cos she looks beautiful, even in the ones where she's busily signing autographs and whatnot, but I don't want to post them if you all think it's not appropriate.

~*bitterswt*~

Ah, I was wondering where that picture in the montage was from, it stood out to me.

Hmm...I can understand why they wouldn't have wanted pictures to be released back then. But IMO, it doesn't seem inappropriate to post them now. If you don't mind sharing them here, I'd love to see them Eves.

~Predictable~

Amazing topic.

The fact that Delta has always been so open about her cancer is something I have always admired Delta for.
The way she turned this negative part of her life into a positive - Delta said that she felt this was a challenge for her to face, and that she could help other people - I believe she said something along the lines of 'If I can help just one person get an early diagnosis, then it will be worth it'
and there were stories of people getting diagnosed because they'd recognised Delta's symptoms as their own.
I find that so inspiring.

I remember feeling so sorry for Delta when I heard about her diagnosis. I was 14 at the time, and I felt as if it were someone I knew who had been diagnosed. I was completely gutted. It seemed so wrong to me that someone who lived such a clean lifestyle... she didn't drink, she didn't smoke, she didn't do drugs.... someone who's existence was idolised by so many people, who displayed so many beautiful qualities, should have to face this.

If anything emphasises how strong Delta is, this is it. And it made her a stronger. person.

The whole 'using cancer to her advantage' rumour is something I have always hated.
Delta was successful before she was ill - and the appearances she made, were for the fans who made her successful. Delta's way of thanking them in a sense I'd say, by seeing her make the effort for them.
Shooting the NMNI video again was for her fans, but for her as well. We all know Delta gives 110%
I don't think she'd have been happy not to shoot the video.
And the ARIA's - like Delta said. Nothing was stopping her going to those.
I'm sure for any cancer patient, an event - a party or something - would be something to look forward to, to aim towards being better to get there - Delta just happened to have the [what I presume is] biggest event in Australia as her light at the end of her tunnel.

The AYAT montage is so beautiful. I cannot even imagine what it must have been like to see that played to a concert hall full of Delta fans. The emotion of the moment must have been amazing.
For Delta to take something so personal, and portray it in public in such a beautifully touching way, again is amazing.

Kay - I read that article not so long ago. It is such an great article. Very well written, and portrays Delta's attitude, and outlook, so well.

Evie, I remember on the official forum right after the lunch a picture was posted, but removed imediately because of Delta's request that they weren't posted, however, I think that was from the angel of the media getting hold of them.
If you would like to post them, I would love to see them, but obviously the choice is yours

~*bitterswt*~

I find that very inspiring as well. It just goes to show how incredibly selfless Delta is, she turned this terrifying circumstance in her life into a way for her to help others. She has never faltered from being an image of strength and inspiration to the public, and I admire her greatly for that.

You're very right - what must have made it even more shocking for people is that Delta has always had a very healthy image. In early interviews, she's openly expressed her views on abstaining from drugs & alcohol - it seems so surprising that she's had to overcome an illness like this. Doesn't seem like bad things should happen to good people like her.

Completely agree. It's just incredibly stupid that people would ever sugguest that Delta would turn her diagnosis into a way to get media attention. Her appearing at the ARIAs, getting dressed up for the night, seeing the overwhelming amount of support that she was given by her fans & her peers would have obviously uplifted her spirits and no doubt, made her even more determined to get better.

~*bitterswt*~

This was an article from Woman's Weekly, July 9th issue. I think the online version was posted in the News Thread around that time. But delts#1 scanned the magazine article and posted it online. I thought I'd mention it here, cause it's a good article in which Delta discusses her diagnosis and the effects of dealing with it.

Madame Butterfly

~*bitterswt*~

It really is inspirational to have her openly talk about how she dealt with cancer and the aftermath of the disease.