“My amazing specialists kept an eye on me for about five years as my health got worse and worse,” she says.
Susan was grateful she still managed to do a little bit of television work during that time, with roles in One Lane Bridge, The Brokenwood Mysteries and Under the Vines, but she had to be very careful to manage her compromised energy levels.
Susan Brady with Justin Rogers. Photo / Tessa Burrows, Andi Crown
“Then in 2024, my specialist said my condition had developed into a type of blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome.”
Three months after the diagnosis, in January last year, Susan underwent a bone marrow transplant.
“The treatment was extreme, starting with chemotherapy followed by the transplant,” she recalls. “That only took 40 minutes and it ultimately saved my life.”
Susan is eternally grateful to her donor.
“To think this total stranger from Europe was a 98% match, whereas my sisters were not, and while you can’t thank your donor in person, I wrote him a letter from my heart because I will never forget his generosity,” she says.
Susan is thankful for her husband, Terence Vallelunga. Photo / Tessa Burrows, Andi Crown
Susan is also thankful for her husband of 18 years.
“Terence is extraordinary, I am so lucky to have him,” she says. “He makes me laugh all the time. He challenges me to be a better version of myself. He is my greatest champion, and he took wonderful care of me throughout those long months of treatment and hospitalisation. This thing didn’t just happen to me – it happened to both of us.”
Now Susan is radiating good health.
“I did do a bit of woo woo work on myself,” she smiles. “Like talking to my immune system, telling it not to freak out and to trust the process. I am now part-science and part-magic – not only do I have two sets of DNA inside me, but my blood type has changed from O to B!”
As for the care she received during treatment and recovery, Susan has nothing but gratitude for Christchurch Hospital and respite care centre Rānui House.
“It’s run almost 100% by volunteers. It’s always at capacity and we were there for close to three months. I always say to people, if they can help Rānui House keep up the good work, please donate.”
The star is now fully recovered. Photo / Tessa Burrows, Andi Crown
Susan will always find silver linings, no matter how dark the clouds, and now she’s fully recovered, she is over the moon to be acting again.
“I’m so ready to face the world and I feel healthier than I have in years,” she enthuses. “To be 60 and doing Cabaret, which coincidentally premiered 60 years ago, while my immune system is just one year old!”
Returning to the stage has also reminded Susan that she is an actor.
“That’s who I am and you can’t ever switch that off,” she says. “Everything feels new and amazing, and I am so blessed to be playing these dream roles!”
Cabaret is on at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from September 22 to October 18. See atc.co.nz for tickets. To donate blood or bone marrow, visit nzblood.co.nz. To donate to Rānui House, see bmct.org.nz.