Nathan’s cancer battle

Hi my name is Leanne and I am fundraising for my son and his family. Not sure how to put everything into words, however my son is fighting cancer for the second Christmas in a row. I am hoping to raise a small amount to help my son, his wife and 2 small children get by during and after this difficult time. Help to give them something so that they can do something nice on a day when Nathan is out of hospital with the children, as a family and not have to worry for a minute. Also helping them stay on top of everyday living whilst going through a financially difficult time.

In December 2022, my husband Nathan was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Shortly after the diagnosis, he underwent 12 weeks of intense chemotherapy to try and eradicate it. Those 12 weeks was one of the most difficult times of our lives. We had a 7 month old and a 1.5 year old to look after, we were living with family to try and help us financially, and we were in and out of hospital and Wishlist accommodation. It was financially, emotionally and physically challenging on the both of us. The chemo made him very weak and sick, so I now also had my husband to care for, as well as our two under 2. Nathan was unable to work, so we went from a single income family, to a zero income family, surviving on my parenting payments from centerlink. We used up all our savings and had to resort to borrowing some money just to stay afloat. It pushed us to the brink, and at times it was hard to see a way out. But after his 12 week checkup, we were given the good news that the treatment worked and he was cancer free. Finally, some relief for us all.

Just as we were starting to feel like everything was back to normal, at his one year checkup, his doctor noticed a lump. He underwent some tests which made our worse nightmare come true. His cancer had returned. He has a small area in his neck that has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. His doctors are unsure if it is a new growth, or just some from last time that went unnoticed and has grown. He has now started another course of a different type of chemotherapy, for at least the next two months. This time also includes overnight hospital stays for Nathan, which is a confusing time for the children, wondering why dad isn't home. We are in for another difficult few months, lots of uncertainty, stress and a roller coaster of emotions. This time around will also be more financially draining, as Nathan will be unable to work again, and we now have the added expense of rent which we didn't have last time. We are in for a second Christmas in a row with Nathan mid treatment and unable to enjoy it. Nathan turned 30 this year, I am 28, we have been married for a year and we have a 2.5 daughter and 1.5 year old son together, and we are going through our second cancer experience. Its definitely not what we were expecting this part of our lives to look like. On top of all of this, the cancer and chemo has made Nathan infertile, adding another source of stress to our lives as we were hoping to extend our family in the future. You don't know what its like unless you have lived it, its an experience that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. We would love to get back to a normal life, to give the kids as much normality during this time and keep pushing forward. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate asking for help, however I'm not sure if we will survive without it. If you have anything to offer, no matter how small, or even if its just prayers, we will be forever grateful. It will make a huge difference to this time in our lives, and just take a bit of the weight off our shoulders. It will help us keep food on the table, help with our rent, allow me to take the kids out, and maybe even go for a bit of a holiday once all this is finished. Please keep Nathan and our family in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you from the bottom of my heart if your in a position to help.

Nathans wife, Jordyn xx