The journey so far... The very, very painful tumour was removed... emergency surgery 5/6/23. It all happened within a week of seeing his GP.. an ultrasound, back to the GP then onto a urologist. Day surgery went well, but back to ED within 48hrs with a suspected haematoma. Tim spent the night on a ward before the urologist checked him the following morning and sent him home. A week later, still in pain, he returned early to the urologist's follow up appointment after an ultrasound did show a haematoma. It was drained and dressed and finally on the mend. It was suspected stage 1 at this point, everyone was really positive that we've caught it early, he's fit and healthy. Saying things like "if you're going to get cancer, this is the one to get".. it didn't feel that way to us.. A blood test (did we mention Tim actually hates needles?!) and a CT scan after surgery, Tim was called in to see an oncology Dr at RHH.. we were still really hopeful and thinking this is routine. 3/7 we were told the cancer had spread. Lymph invasion and into his lungs. 16 spots in one lung, 8 in the other. 3 rounds of Chemotherapy. A tonne of bricks landed in our lap. Our beautiful girls, Willow (9) and Freya (6) how could they understand any of this.. More blood tests. (This was the best one yet though! ) We went back to oncology Dr to discuss the treatment plan and sign consent... a 3 page list of side effects.. Tim jokes he signed under duress! This is the path we are now on.. ..meeting the Registered Nurse, Amir, was the most comforting part of all this.. he specialises in the care of young adults with cancer. Metastasis Testicular Cancer, Non-seminoma, embroyal and teratoma. Stage 4. Cancer cells are found in his lymph nodes and lungs. You just think its not going to be our story.. but cancer doesn't discriminate.. Tim has some pain in his abdomen.. the CT scan shows an unusal mass in the same area. He says his lungs appear to feel fine but he'll need to do a lung function test as a baseline before starting treatment. Tentative chemo start date 25/7. Last week we walked into the Cancer Council and collapsed in their office. The support and care Meagan has shown us and continue to provide is astounding. The school too... and all of our beautiful family.. !!! I think we are still in disbelief of our new reality. ... We have exhausted all our leave.. using everything we have.. to see us through while Tim can't work.. and the jumping through hoops to get gov support has begun.. we don't hold much hope for much help there.. keeping any sense of normality now lies with the love and support of our family and friends.. we hate asking for help. Especially as the cost of living rises and is effecting us all! Any support you can give will go directly to the needs of out of pocket expenses and the support of our girl's wellbeing by keeping existing routines. Any left over donations will be forwarded to the Cancer Council to help other families like ours.
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