Fighting Blood Cancer with no cure
Donation protected
My life was having the Best job in the country battling the high seas catching the fish to feed the nation. 23 years Commercial Fishing, endless sunsets, sunrises & endless adventures.
Suddenly one day at sea I started feeling a strange sensation in my legs, over the next 2 days steaming back in from Sea I could hardly walk. My wife took me to emergency and after being admitted for further tests and investigation. Day 4, 13th December 2015, we were given the news that I had a severe tumour on my spine squashing my spinal cord. Our lives turned from life at sea to life with Multiple Myeloma.
I was told I could never return to Sea due to the severe damage to my spine from the cancer. Immediate radiation, chemotherapy, followed up with a stem cell transplant, 10 months of continuous treatment. Our lives became an unknown future.
18 months later I returned to work as a Maritime Trainer, teaching Master V & various marine certifications. This was the closest I could be back involved with what was a massive part of my life. I felt I now had some purpose and a new career.
In March 2019, again our lives were sent in turmoil. A small bump was present on my forehead, I thought maybe I had knocked it and didn’t worry, it wasn’t sore. Within 3 weeks the bump became more prominent and seemed to be increasing in size. I advised the hospital and had further tests, a bone marrow biopsy, pet scan and then a MRI. The results showed activity of a tumour - Plasmacytoma, I was admitted for emergency brain surgery. The tumour was severe and had grown 3 times the size in just 10 days. I had a portion of my skull removed followed by radiation.
Unfortunately it has left me muddled, confused, forgetful and medically not permitted to drive. I resigned from my Marine Training employment. Mentally, physically and emotionally my life has crashed. Financially we are broken, my wife is by my side looking out for me, yet we both struggle this horrible disease in our own way. Our future is unknown, bills pilling up, mortgage payments behind, bankruptcy imminent.
Helping us would be greatly appreciated.
Suddenly one day at sea I started feeling a strange sensation in my legs, over the next 2 days steaming back in from Sea I could hardly walk. My wife took me to emergency and after being admitted for further tests and investigation. Day 4, 13th December 2015, we were given the news that I had a severe tumour on my spine squashing my spinal cord. Our lives turned from life at sea to life with Multiple Myeloma.
I was told I could never return to Sea due to the severe damage to my spine from the cancer. Immediate radiation, chemotherapy, followed up with a stem cell transplant, 10 months of continuous treatment. Our lives became an unknown future.
18 months later I returned to work as a Maritime Trainer, teaching Master V & various marine certifications. This was the closest I could be back involved with what was a massive part of my life. I felt I now had some purpose and a new career.
In March 2019, again our lives were sent in turmoil. A small bump was present on my forehead, I thought maybe I had knocked it and didn’t worry, it wasn’t sore. Within 3 weeks the bump became more prominent and seemed to be increasing in size. I advised the hospital and had further tests, a bone marrow biopsy, pet scan and then a MRI. The results showed activity of a tumour - Plasmacytoma, I was admitted for emergency brain surgery. The tumour was severe and had grown 3 times the size in just 10 days. I had a portion of my skull removed followed by radiation.
Unfortunately it has left me muddled, confused, forgetful and medically not permitted to drive. I resigned from my Marine Training employment. Mentally, physically and emotionally my life has crashed. Financially we are broken, my wife is by my side looking out for me, yet we both struggle this horrible disease in our own way. Our future is unknown, bills pilling up, mortgage payments behind, bankruptcy imminent.
Helping us would be greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Kimdelia Cole
Organizer
Marrara NT
