Anth's Story, Kicking Cancer's Butt
Donation protected
Meet the Fishers - Anthony and Sam, and their two babies, Maddy (4) and Jayden (3). Six months ago they were a happy, healthy Ballarat family with all the same hopes and dreams for the future as any young family. That was until Anthony started experiencing unusual symptoms… sore nipples and some growth (man boobs). Not unexpectedly, he found this quite embarrassing (as any man would) so he headed off to the doctors to get it checked out.
His doctor, who didn't think too much of it, suggested he could just let his hormones sort themselves out or he could refer Anthony to a specialist for a possible shot of testosterone. Anthony chose the latter and, following some tests which led to scans and more tests, a mass was discovered on his adrenal gland, measuring 14cm x 11cm x 13cm. Although the specialist indicated that these types of growths were almost always benign, it needed to be removed, so in early December Anthony was admitted to the Footscray Hospital.
The surgery itself didn't go as planned - the tumour had grown (it was now 19cm x 11.5cm x 13cm and a whopping 1.557 kg) a lot more than they were expecting and there was a small rupture during the surgery, which resulted in tumour spillage. Anthony's liver was also damaged (a 6cm x 4cm tear), which resulted in him needing a second surgery. Anthony lost his adrenal gland (which was expected), his gall bladder and part of his liver.
Following various complications of the surgery, Anthony’s recovery was slow and painful. Although he was home a few days before Christmas, an infection caused him to deteriorate and he was sent back to Melbourne via ambulance on Christmas Eve. After a third surgery on Christmas day to drain an infected abscess (caused by staphylococcus contracted in hospital) and the insertion of a drainage tube in his back, Anthony was released again in mid-January. Then the worst news of all...
The most devastating news a family could receive. The tumour (which had a 50/50 chance of being malignant), turned out to be an aggressive cancer known as Adrenocortical Carcinoma - a rare '1 in two million' type of malignant cancer. At the age of 28, and with a family to support, Anthony and Sam are devastated and so uncertain of the future.
Unfortunately this is only the beginning of Anthony’s journey… he needs radiation treatment and intensive chemotherapy, the duration of both is unknown. Adrenocortical Carcinoma is so rare and unpredictable so the oncologist is yet to determine the exact course of action. Anthony is currently enduring multiple scans and tests before the final treatment schedule will be confirmed. So many unknowns. Treatment could persist for as long as five years or even more.
The saddest part of all? The chemotherapy medication is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) so Anthony and Sam are expected to pay for it themselves with practically no assistance from the very system that we all pay into in the belief that our public health system will support us in times of health crisis. So, the cost of $1000-$2000 a month is likely…. The drug will come from Europe, as there is nothing available in Australia that is deemed a suitable treatment for this particular cancer. There is still a chance that the hospital may cover the cost (application has been made on Anthony’s behalf by the Oncology Dept.) but that will involve a fight of its own and is unreliable. It still leaves this young family missing half of their income and potentially crippled by the cost of committing to Anthony’s treatment.
Your support is so gratefully appreciated. Anything you can donate will help this family to cope financially. Any one of us can imagine the confusion, the desperation, the anguish that receiving this news over such a short period of time and at such a young age would bring. Anthony’s friends and family will be there every step of the way, supporting in whatever way we can, and with your support, we can make a positive difference for Anthony and Sam. Although this first update is full of bad news, we remain positive and focused on reporting good news stories of Anthony's progress from here on in. Please have Anthony, Sam, Maddy and Jayden in your thoughts and prayers and put out into this great universe all the most wonderfully positive thoughts for Anthony's complete recovery. We will keep you updated on his treatment as we have further news.
With your support, Anthony WILL beat this. Again, thank you.
We appreciate your support in promoting this gofundme page - please share to your facebook page if you feel comfortable in doing so.
* A bit about me: I'm Lindsay, I first met Sam and Anthony 2 years ago when Sam joined my workplace, here in Ballarat.
I have started this page for them because my heart breaks for them and their babies, having to go through this traumatic situation. Their finances have been massively hit with Anthony being off work for the foreseeable future. This page is aimed towards smoothing their journey, to help them survive (financially) and taking away some of the stress they are feeling at the moment.
His doctor, who didn't think too much of it, suggested he could just let his hormones sort themselves out or he could refer Anthony to a specialist for a possible shot of testosterone. Anthony chose the latter and, following some tests which led to scans and more tests, a mass was discovered on his adrenal gland, measuring 14cm x 11cm x 13cm. Although the specialist indicated that these types of growths were almost always benign, it needed to be removed, so in early December Anthony was admitted to the Footscray Hospital.
The surgery itself didn't go as planned - the tumour had grown (it was now 19cm x 11.5cm x 13cm and a whopping 1.557 kg) a lot more than they were expecting and there was a small rupture during the surgery, which resulted in tumour spillage. Anthony's liver was also damaged (a 6cm x 4cm tear), which resulted in him needing a second surgery. Anthony lost his adrenal gland (which was expected), his gall bladder and part of his liver.
Following various complications of the surgery, Anthony’s recovery was slow and painful. Although he was home a few days before Christmas, an infection caused him to deteriorate and he was sent back to Melbourne via ambulance on Christmas Eve. After a third surgery on Christmas day to drain an infected abscess (caused by staphylococcus contracted in hospital) and the insertion of a drainage tube in his back, Anthony was released again in mid-January. Then the worst news of all...
The most devastating news a family could receive. The tumour (which had a 50/50 chance of being malignant), turned out to be an aggressive cancer known as Adrenocortical Carcinoma - a rare '1 in two million' type of malignant cancer. At the age of 28, and with a family to support, Anthony and Sam are devastated and so uncertain of the future.
Unfortunately this is only the beginning of Anthony’s journey… he needs radiation treatment and intensive chemotherapy, the duration of both is unknown. Adrenocortical Carcinoma is so rare and unpredictable so the oncologist is yet to determine the exact course of action. Anthony is currently enduring multiple scans and tests before the final treatment schedule will be confirmed. So many unknowns. Treatment could persist for as long as five years or even more.
The saddest part of all? The chemotherapy medication is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) so Anthony and Sam are expected to pay for it themselves with practically no assistance from the very system that we all pay into in the belief that our public health system will support us in times of health crisis. So, the cost of $1000-$2000 a month is likely…. The drug will come from Europe, as there is nothing available in Australia that is deemed a suitable treatment for this particular cancer. There is still a chance that the hospital may cover the cost (application has been made on Anthony’s behalf by the Oncology Dept.) but that will involve a fight of its own and is unreliable. It still leaves this young family missing half of their income and potentially crippled by the cost of committing to Anthony’s treatment.
Your support is so gratefully appreciated. Anything you can donate will help this family to cope financially. Any one of us can imagine the confusion, the desperation, the anguish that receiving this news over such a short period of time and at such a young age would bring. Anthony’s friends and family will be there every step of the way, supporting in whatever way we can, and with your support, we can make a positive difference for Anthony and Sam. Although this first update is full of bad news, we remain positive and focused on reporting good news stories of Anthony's progress from here on in. Please have Anthony, Sam, Maddy and Jayden in your thoughts and prayers and put out into this great universe all the most wonderfully positive thoughts for Anthony's complete recovery. We will keep you updated on his treatment as we have further news.
With your support, Anthony WILL beat this. Again, thank you.
We appreciate your support in promoting this gofundme page - please share to your facebook page if you feel comfortable in doing so.
* A bit about me: I'm Lindsay, I first met Sam and Anthony 2 years ago when Sam joined my workplace, here in Ballarat.
I have started this page for them because my heart breaks for them and their babies, having to go through this traumatic situation. Their finances have been massively hit with Anthony being off work for the foreseeable future. This page is aimed towards smoothing their journey, to help them survive (financially) and taking away some of the stress they are feeling at the moment.
Organizer
Lindsay Ward
Organizer
Lucas VIC
