I was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma with Mets in Sept 07 and
given a few months to live. I was then given Sutent as soon as it became
available in Australia (Oct 06). The drug was brilliant for 6 months and
then the tumours started to grow again. There was nothing further
available - nothing. I have written the story of my journey as I may
have adopted a different approach to most. I would like to the share the
introduction with you.
"I was diagnosed with cancer (Sept 06) and had a kidney removed within 7
days, at that time they said I had 3 months to live, but that meant
nothing as I was not in control of what was happening, it was a very
traumatic period with many decisions to be made. I thought it was all
under control, I thought I had it sorted! I will briefly tell my story
and the choices I have made on my road to recovery.
I decided that the things I thought that made me ill - my lifestyle,
diet, mental attitude and work - needed to be modified if I was to start
on the road to recovery. I immediately saw a naturopath and a
traditional Chinese medical practitioner and then a psychotherapist. In
addition I was very lucky as I had a great team work on me at Fremantle
Hospital, so when I left there I was in pretty good physical shape; well
as good as you can be after receiving a 400 mm incision in your abdomen
and a kidney removed in a 5 hour procedure!
I now look back and I was a mess, but at the time I thought I was in
control and in good shape. I had regular massages and saw a
physiotherapist all things that made me feel good. There was a group of
people around me that were not only interested in me, but had a
commitment to my recovery - I was building a team.
I also started to learn Qi Gong which was not only great exercise, but
gave me some inner strength and a feeling of control over my body.
Just changing my diet I started to feel that I had a little control of
the situation, I could actually do something positive, and that made a
huge difference to my attitude and my confidence. I read a number of
books and the first by Ross Taylor and Dr Ian Brighthope, "Creating
Health Yourself," given to me by a work colleague. This book was
fantastic. Ross had survived against the odds by taking control of the
situation. I was reminded of how Lance Armstrong had taken control of
his treatment and his enormous will to survive. I was amazed at his
strength, talent, single mindedness and his sheer determination - and
then he won the Tour de France! Reading the book back in 2002 brought me
to tears. I also thought of a former colleague who had been diagnosed
with breast cancer in 2003 and her life really didn't miss a beat.
Pauline took the treatment on board raised her family and carried on
working. I thought to myself "how could she do this, she is so positive
yet she is going to die."
My mother, brother and sister had all been taken by cancer and passed
away relatively quickly and painfully. I had been resigned that this was
going to happen to me.
When you are tapped on the shoulder with cancer, family and friends
soon come to mind for us all and I was no different. I ached that my
family would be upset, distressed and affected - physically, mentally
and financially. To cap it all off I was terrified of dying. However, my
fear of death was overcome surprisingly quickly with the assistance of
my psychotherapist. The support of my family and friends and I told them
all immediately - wife and three adult children, all my friends and work
colleagues - so that they could give me moral and physical support as
soon as possible. They have been a huge part of my journey to recovery.
I appreciate that we all adopt different paths when we learn that we
have cancer. I respect the disease and recognise that it is still
present in my body and that I am working with it to get better. The
chances of it 'going away' are extremely remote, so let's work together
is my philosophy. A tumour can be a self contained fully functional
unit, almost an organ, as it has its own blood supply and energy to draw
on, to prosper and grow. To defeat such a formidable opponent requires a
fair amount of collaboration. So I don't hate my cancer, I respect it,
as I expect to live with it for a very long time!
My 'team' made the difference, giving me their expertise and commitment,
giving me great alternative viewpoints. Not just therapies or drugs, but
their thoughts and lots of positive discussion about how they believed
that I could recover. The people in my team - the western doctors, the
complementary clinicians, my family, friends, work colleagues through
their encouragement and commitment to me, stated or otherwise, gave me
the strength and confidence to continue to be positive and take positive
actions. There was a wave of positive energy flowing over me from all
these great people! I feel good, so I am confident that I can make a
decent level of recovery and so that's where I am now.
It has been a great journey, scary and damn frightening at times, but
very rewarding as well. I expect a lot more and with continuing support
I just reckon that I will get more, why not!
Each case is very personal, each case is unique, but we all have choices
and pathways and these are mine."