Go Fund Me

It has now been more than 6 months since I was diagnosed with Head and Neck cancer.

The diagnosis was a watershed moment for me. I have a new appreciation of life and the wonders that go with it.

The last 6 months have been a journey, a learning experience, a time to re-assess life and what it means to me.

The end result of all of the study, hard work, application and persistence has been one of positivity.

One thing I have learned along the away is that sometimes adversity can make you stronger. This can be seen in nature and it seems that if you respond positively to any “attack” that it can be a catalyst to increase your potential to survive.

The party isn’t over yet. I am still yet to do a PET scan in late July that will give an approximation of my current cellular condition in relation to cancer cells in my body.

The one thing that I am certain about is that controlling cancer is a constant “work in progress”. There is always a chance that one cancer cell will metastasise and start to create a new tumour somewhere in the body.

Hence, a constant diligence and self discipline is called for.

Like everything in life, the ultimate responsibility lies with oneself.

Another thing that I have learned on this journey is that “Knowledge is Power” and of course, what you do with the knowledge is what matters.

During the past 6 months I have had the constant support of my family and friends and also those practitioners who I have worked with along the way.

The treatments that I chose to pursue were a mix of mainstream, integrative and alternative. As such, most of my therapies were not subsidized by Australia’s universal healthcare system, Medicare. We are so lucky to have systems like this in place but like most new ideas it takes time for them to catch on and get the support of Medicare.

Georgie and I had a bit of a reserve put away but we have now used most of this towards the therapies and treatments that I have had.

I am about to embark upon a new 10 week program to continue my battle against cancer and it’s proliferation. This is going to cost us around $25,000 and there will be future expenses as an ongoing matter of fact.

I have been scratching my head to work out ways to make money. You know, buying Tattslotto tickets, working out schemes to sell some of the artwork that we have accumulated over the years (this is where our assets are tied up). My mother in law has been magnanimous in her financial help with some of the very expensive alternative testing that I have done. 

Unfortunately I’ve got to a point where if I keep “scratching my head” it might start bleeding.

One of the big lessons that I have learned along the way is that the best way to help people is through inspiration. You can talk about treatments and cures, regimens and diets until you are black and blue in the face but it’s only when people reach for help and trust you that they will put their hand up to receive help and advice. 

The problem with cancer is that there are so many schools of thought, so many unknowns and it’s such a scary damn subject.

I have had so many people telling me how healthy I look. I got through my 33 radiation sessions with almost no side effects. The radiology nurses were amazed. I feel healthy and fitter than I have in decades. My very strict diet helps me maintain a very healthy weight with no uncontrolled weight loss or gain. Most people find it amazing that I am almost 70. And apart from the fact that I do have cancer, I am genuinely healthier than I have been in years. My blood tests confirm this. 

The reason I bring this up is that I am in a position where I might be able to inspire some people who are in a similar situation to the one that I have been in. 

I am proud of my achievements and I believe I am a good example of the treatment and therapies that I have pursued.

Consequently, I have embarked upon writing an “inspirational” book about my journey from being overweight and unhealthy to shedding over 20 kgs and embarking upon a healthy lifestyle. It also encompasses my cancer diagnosis and what I have done to control and maintain a healthy body and immune system that is helping me kill cancer cells and protect against the side effects of toxic mainstream cancer “Standard of Care” treatment, in my case radiation therapy.

Apart from the inspirational aspects of the book I have my fingers crossed that if I write it well and market it intelligently and on the right lines I will make some money to help finance my ongoing cancer therapies and treatments plus put a little bit of money back into our reserves to help support us in day to day life.

I spend several hours each day working on the book as well as doing my treatments and therapies that will hopefully continue to lessen any danger that cancer might present to my body.

In light of this I am starting a Go Fund Me Campaign to support continued treatment and the preparation and publishing of this book on working toward getting cancer under control in a more sustainable manner than simply letting an oncologist organise treatment.