Elliott's Recovery
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I am here to help a wonderful family through a really tough time. Here is their story ...
In September 2015, 18 year old Elliott Cox was a budding National Premier League Soccer Goal Keeper, he was fit and gaining good grades in his 1st semester of Uni. Elliott started feeling unwell and put it down to the flu, however, it didn’t go and the symptoms increased. Blood tests showed he was anaemic but his iron was incredibly high! Further tests revealed the same results and he was referred to a Blood Specialist who undertook a CT Scan. The scan showed that Elliott had the biggest cancerous mass ever on the Gold Coast, for an 18 Year old! The Mass in his chest that was pushing onto his heart and the main vain from his brain to his heart. His lung function was only 50%.
Elliott was admitted to hospital immediately and began 6 lots of 21 day chemo cycles. Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, Elliott was given a much stronger chemo treatment. Between his treatments he also had GCSF injections which stimulates the bone marrow ready for the next cycle of chemo. Unfortunately, Elliott had an adverse reaction to the injections which resulted in prolonged stays in hospital dosed up on morphine, Endone and more.
Towards the end of his chemo and GCSF injections, he hit danger zone and was admitted again with viral shingles and a temp of 39° C for 5 days. A lumber puncture showed shingles in his brain, which 2 days later progressed to meningitis. He had 2 blood transfusions but the shingles moved to his eyes and he nearly lost his sight. The treatment for this still continues.
Elliott’s scan at the end of the chemo showed the cancer had shrunk, however, 4 ‘hotspots’ were now showing up around his heart, this meant he faced a further 20 gruelling sessions of radiation, which in years to come will result in heart disease.
All treatment stopped 3 months ago. Elliott breathed a sigh of relief that the ordeal was now over and seized the moment to get back to living life. He went to the gym and gained back the body mass lost through treatment. Life had turned the corner for him and his beautiful, supportive family.
2 Weeks ago Elliott repeated his scans to check he was still cancer free. One year after the initial diagnoses, the results unfortunately showed that there are 3 new cancer tumours – 2 in his lung and 1 in the original mass.
Elliott’s mum, Julie owns a café, “Conerstone on Minnie” and both her and Oliver, Elliotts brother, greet customers with a smile every day, no matter what is going on. Elliott’s dad, Brian, is also self-employed so the long hours at the hospital and trying to keep a family and two business afloat will be taxing on them all. I am therefore putting their story out there asking for the community’s support in funding Elliott’s treatment.
All money raised through this fund will go towards Elliott’s treatment and supporting the family.
Elliott hopes to win his division in his gym’s 4 week fitness challenge this Saturday, a last hit out before he starts his next bout of chemo and stem cell treatment next week.
Every little bit helps.
Much Love xx
In September 2015, 18 year old Elliott Cox was a budding National Premier League Soccer Goal Keeper, he was fit and gaining good grades in his 1st semester of Uni. Elliott started feeling unwell and put it down to the flu, however, it didn’t go and the symptoms increased. Blood tests showed he was anaemic but his iron was incredibly high! Further tests revealed the same results and he was referred to a Blood Specialist who undertook a CT Scan. The scan showed that Elliott had the biggest cancerous mass ever on the Gold Coast, for an 18 Year old! The Mass in his chest that was pushing onto his heart and the main vain from his brain to his heart. His lung function was only 50%.
Elliott was admitted to hospital immediately and began 6 lots of 21 day chemo cycles. Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, Elliott was given a much stronger chemo treatment. Between his treatments he also had GCSF injections which stimulates the bone marrow ready for the next cycle of chemo. Unfortunately, Elliott had an adverse reaction to the injections which resulted in prolonged stays in hospital dosed up on morphine, Endone and more.
Towards the end of his chemo and GCSF injections, he hit danger zone and was admitted again with viral shingles and a temp of 39° C for 5 days. A lumber puncture showed shingles in his brain, which 2 days later progressed to meningitis. He had 2 blood transfusions but the shingles moved to his eyes and he nearly lost his sight. The treatment for this still continues.
Elliott’s scan at the end of the chemo showed the cancer had shrunk, however, 4 ‘hotspots’ were now showing up around his heart, this meant he faced a further 20 gruelling sessions of radiation, which in years to come will result in heart disease.
All treatment stopped 3 months ago. Elliott breathed a sigh of relief that the ordeal was now over and seized the moment to get back to living life. He went to the gym and gained back the body mass lost through treatment. Life had turned the corner for him and his beautiful, supportive family.
2 Weeks ago Elliott repeated his scans to check he was still cancer free. One year after the initial diagnoses, the results unfortunately showed that there are 3 new cancer tumours – 2 in his lung and 1 in the original mass.
Elliott’s mum, Julie owns a café, “Conerstone on Minnie” and both her and Oliver, Elliotts brother, greet customers with a smile every day, no matter what is going on. Elliott’s dad, Brian, is also self-employed so the long hours at the hospital and trying to keep a family and two business afloat will be taxing on them all. I am therefore putting their story out there asking for the community’s support in funding Elliott’s treatment.
All money raised through this fund will go towards Elliott’s treatment and supporting the family.
Elliott hopes to win his division in his gym’s 4 week fitness challenge this Saturday, a last hit out before he starts his next bout of chemo and stem cell treatment next week.
Every little bit helps.
Much Love xx
Organizer
Gina Cragg
Organizer
