Here’s a story that will tug at your heartstrings and challenge your perspective on life and death. Former Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell is openly sharing her terminal journey, and it’s both heartbreaking and profoundly inspiring. If you’re active on social media, you’ve likely heard whispers about her story, but there’s so much more to uncover.
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of sitting with Jenny on the veranda of her Goonellabah home, surrounded by a lush backyard teeming with life. It was here, in this serene setting, that she opened up for a Talking Lismore podcast (https://talkinglismore.buzzsprout.com/). What followed was a conversation that was as raw as it was uplifting.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Jenny’s journey isn’t just about her terminal cancer diagnosis—it’s about her bold decision to pursue voluntary assisted dying (VAD). In this deeply personal interview, she reflects on her initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2008, just four days after becoming Mayor of Lismore, and how she believed she had left cancer behind for good. For 17 years, she lived in what she calls ‘blissful ignorance,’ unaware that undetectable cancer cells had silently spread to her spine and pelvis.
Then came the moment that shattered her world. Last May, after an active bushwalk in Mount Kaputar and another in Warrumbungle National Park, Jenny injured her back while helping a friend. When the pain persisted, scans revealed the devastating truth: incurable cancer in her spine and pelvis. ‘It hit me like a ton of bricks,’ she recalls.
Initially, Jenny tried a new hormone-blocking treatment linked to her original breast cancer, but the side effects were brutal. ‘Terrible nausea, shocking fatigue, no appetite—I lost weight immediately,’ she shares. ‘I was barely functioning.’ Faced with a prognosis of just six to twelve months, she made a choice that many would find difficult: prioritizing quality of life over quantity. ‘All of a sudden, you’re weighing up what kind of life you want,’ she explains. ‘I would always choose quality.’
And this is the part most people miss: A month ago, after inconclusive scan results, Jenny decided to stop treatment altogether. ‘That’s it,’ she declared. ‘I just want my pain relief.’ She has since applied for VAD under New South Wales legislation, a process that requires two independent medical assessments to confirm her mental capacity and prognosis. So far, it’s been a straightforward ‘tick, tick.’
Jenny candidly discusses the two VAD options: doctor-administered medication, which is quicker but requires a doctor’s presence, or self-administered medication, which demands physical ability. She’s leaning toward the latter but hasn’t made her final decision yet. Is this a choice you could make? Or do you believe there’s a line we shouldn’t cross?
When it comes to her family, Jenny’s husband Ron and their two adult children have been her rock. ‘We’re very open,’ she says. ‘Nothing’s off limits.’ She acknowledges her privilege in having universal support, knowing others face resistance from loved ones. ‘I’m lucky. I have everyone around me,’ she adds.
Instead of fear, Jenny radiates gratitude. Reflecting on the 17 years between diagnoses, she calls them ‘the best 17 years of my public life.’ At 75, she feels satisfied. ‘I wouldn’t change anything,’ she says.
As her pain intensifies, Jenny finds solace in daily mindfulness rituals—a two-minute practice of grounding herself in the present. ‘Five things I can see, four things I can hear, three things I can feel, two things I can smell, and one thing I can taste,’ she explains. ‘It leaves me calm and centered.’
Jenny has also taken the rare step of planning her own funeral, writing her eulogy, and gifting cherished belongings. ‘The luxury of having the opportunity to gift things now… feels good,’ she shares.
When asked how she wants to be remembered, her answer is simple yet profound: ‘That I cared… that I always had time to listen.’ In her closing words, she expresses deep gratitude to her community: ‘Lismore is my soul place… You’ve given me my soul place, and I’ve loved every minute of it. So thank you.’
Jenny Dowell’s full interview spans over 30 minutes, packed with emotions and details that can’t be fully captured here. Some may find her choices confronting, while others will admire her strength and transparency. What’s undeniable is her courage in sharing her story to help others.
To listen to the complete conversation, visit the Talking Lismore podcast (https://talkinglismore.buzzsprout.com/). And here’s a question to ponder: In the face of terminal illness, should we have the right to choose how and when we die? Share your thoughts below—let’s start a conversation.
