hope journey overnewton keynote copy

HopeHope

The Journey so far.The Journey so far.

melanoma- Surely not me!

April 2012, I came back from a ride and had a sore left underarm. When I placed my hand there to I felt a lump and was hoping it was an infection. Went to the doctor and she sent me off to have a biopsy.

Life before Life before enjoyed racing and

training hard riding an averaging 200+km a

week and 25km Running a week.

enjoyed racing and training hard riding an averaging 200+km a

week and 25km Running a week.

lymph node removalNever thought I’d be the one in a hospital having Cancer removed from their body. I was in the best fitness condition and thought my health was perfect.I had 17 Lymph Nodes removed, with only one that was infected with Melanoma. This meant I didn’t need treatment. However I was still Diagnosed Stage 3A Melanoma-Cancer. This is were I felt I had escaped the disease you don’t want - Melanoma.

Home after three days in Hospital

Home after three days in Hospital

These beautiful girls and my wife are my hope

and fight to keep living they keep me going

everyday.

These beautiful girls and my wife are my hope

and fight to keep living they keep me going

everyday.

• The follow up from April to October was blood tests and Oncologist every 6 weeks.

• Scans every 8 weeks followed by Oncologist appointment.

• Had many scans between April and October and all came back clear.

• Heading into an MRI Room is the most nerve racking experience. Like sitting an exam.

OCTOBER 2012 6 months since being told I had

Stage 3a Melanoma-cancer.

OCTOBER 2012 6 months since being told I had

Stage 3a Melanoma-cancer.

October, I was due for my 6 month scan and this was a milestone that my wife and i were aiming for. I felt great and was running, riding extremely well, training for the 120km granfondo race with Cycle club. Scan time:-headed to the Epworth for scans. i was confident and hoping all was ok. It’s like you have no control of the situation.

October, I was due for my 6 month scan and this was a milestone that my wife and i were aiming for. I felt great and was running, riding extremely well, training for the 120km granfondo race with Cycle club. Scan time:-headed to the Epworth for scans. i was confident and hoping all was ok. It’s like you have no control of the situation.

THE NEWS that

changed our lives forever

THE NEWS that

changed our lives forever

two of four brain tumours two of four brain tumours

My home for the next month

My home for the next month

one of the hardest part of

all this was missing my

family.

one of the hardest part of

all this was missing my

family.

Stage 4 Cancer - The Brain tumour was

removed and treatment followed.

Stage 4 Cancer - The Brain tumour was

removed and treatment followed.

My Hope and determination to heal and move on with life was tested one more time. I headed home after a month in hospital

I was home for 10 days and pain in my abdominal area sent

me back to the hospital. two more weeks with a huge 5cm tumour being removed from

my abdomen.

My Hope and determination to heal and move on with life was tested one more time. I headed home after a month in hospital

I was home for 10 days and pain in my abdominal area sent

me back to the hospital. two more weeks with a huge 5cm tumour being removed from

my abdomen.

Christmas-

family and that’s all that matters. Being here for this was an achievement.

The goal I wanted to achieve by the end of the year 2012 was to literally see Christmas and spend it with my family.

The other big Hope was to see our

eldest child And second eldest go to school and kinder for the first time.

The other big Hope was to see our

eldest child And second eldest go to school and kinder for the first time.

‘hope’ in every scan‘hope’ in every scan

What has been achieved with my

resilience, determination and

support?

What has been achieved with my

resilience, determination and

support?

With Determination, support and fight anything can be achieved

Raised Money for Melanoma Research by ‘Marching Against Melanoma’ with family, friends and colleagues 60 Plus family and Friends.

Didn’t think I’d be able to achieve what I have done so far.

Didn’t think I’d be able to achieve what I have done so far.

Rode two days of the Tour de cure Riding 350km

over two days. As a result of this Tour I was able to Raise Money for Cancer Research.

My Journey is not over…..

My Journey is not over…..

- Blood tests every four weeks- Scans every six weeks.- Medication every day.

Back working Full time and on the

bike again.

Back working Full time and on the

bike again.

www.melanomathletecyclist.blogspot.com.auwww.melanomathletecyclist.blogspot.com.au

‘With the right attitude, greatness can be achieved

and a cure for Cancer can be found.’

‘With the right attitude, greatness can be achieved

and a cure for Cancer can be found.’

What you can do?What you can do?Donate or support

through organisations such

as....

Donate or support through

organisations such as....

www.tourdecure.com.auwww.tourdecure.com.au

www.conquercancer.org.auwww.conquercancer.org.au

www.biggestmorningtea.com.auwww.biggestmorningtea.com.au

www.marchagainstmelanoma.com.au

www.marchagainstmelanoma.com.au