Creating memories for Brendan, Jess & Chase
Donation protected
Facebook event - Sunday Funday Brendan’s Life Journey Blog
On a beautiful day in September 2015, Brendan and Jessica celebrated their wedding day. This was to be the beginning of a wonderful life, with the dream of beginning a family in the not too distant future. Brendan and Jess had booked their honeymoon in Vegas for November of that same year - what a perfect way to begin their journey together as husband and wife!!
The following month, just days prior to his 29th birthday, Brendan was diagnosed with a 10.5cm tumour in his left kidney and the kidney needed to be removed. This is where Brendan’s football playing days came to and end, as he needed to ensure that his remaining kidney remained healthy.
Despite the physical and emotional toll that this sudden turn of events had on Brendan, his positive spirit remained in tact. He recovered well, and the newly weds set off to enjoy a beautiful honeymoon at the end of January 2016.
Brendan went for his 6 monthly check up in May 2016 and received the news he longed to hear! His remaining kidney was functioning well, and there were no signs of any cancer. Things were looking up for Brendan and Jess, as they were blessed to be welcoming their first child (first grandchild to both families) in February 2017.
The week before the baby arrived, Brendan headed off for his first year check up. Check ups felt like they were just part of life now, and no one was prepared for the news that what was to come. The scans showed traces of multiple tumours in his kidney (the largest one had grown to 3.5cm in only 6 months), and the cancer had spread to the vein, which needed to be partially removed. Four days after Brendan and Jess welcomed their beautiful baby boy into the world, Brendan was taken in for surgery to have his remaining kidney removed, as well as part of his vein. This meant that he would not get to spend time anytime with his new son Chase for at least 2 weeks after surgery due to possible infections. This also meant that he would have to be on dialysis 3 days per week, for approx. 5 hours per day.
In late 2018 the Kidney cancer had metastasised and they found a small spot on his lower lung. This was surgically removed, and the “all clear” was given again. The months that followed were full of hope, as the focus shifted towards being cancer free for 5 years to enable him to be added to the kidney transplant list. But unfortunately 2 further tumours were found on the upper part of his lung several months apart and required radiation in the hope of killing them off (which they did).
Fast forward to Brendan’s latest check up in September 2019, where he received the news that no one ever wants to hear. His latest scans revealed tumours that have been growing slowly in the last 12 months in his lymph nodes and chest that cannot be treated. There is no cure this time, only medication to block any further growth. The doctors cannot guarantee how long this medication will work for, how the side effects will affect him, or what his life expectancy looks like from here.
All we can do now is to make sure that we spend as much quality time with Brendan, and work together to give him, Jess and Chase every opportunity to build as many memories together as they can.
Please take the time to read through Brendan’s blog (https://www.mylifejourney.com.au/home) to help understand the journey through his eyes. If you don’t know Brendan, you will soon learn that he is a kind, caring, funny man who is a real fighter and will inspire you to live your very best life.
Brendan’s perspective has always been “Clear eyes, Full heart, Can’t lose”. This is something that we could all learn from.
We have arranged a fundraising event on the 17th of November 2019 (please see the Facebook event for details: https://www.facebook.com/events/768125296959279/?ti=icl ), which is where we will announce our plans for the money that we have raised. But if you’re like me and you hate secrets and you really want to know now, please feel free to contact Brendan’s Mum (Donna Foley), or myself (Micarla Dawson). You can find us on Facebook if you don’t know us. We’ll be happy to let you in on the details - as long as you can keep it a secret from Brendan and a Jess for a few weeks!!
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read Brendan’s story, and for your generosity.
On a beautiful day in September 2015, Brendan and Jessica celebrated their wedding day. This was to be the beginning of a wonderful life, with the dream of beginning a family in the not too distant future. Brendan and Jess had booked their honeymoon in Vegas for November of that same year - what a perfect way to begin their journey together as husband and wife!!
The following month, just days prior to his 29th birthday, Brendan was diagnosed with a 10.5cm tumour in his left kidney and the kidney needed to be removed. This is where Brendan’s football playing days came to and end, as he needed to ensure that his remaining kidney remained healthy.
Despite the physical and emotional toll that this sudden turn of events had on Brendan, his positive spirit remained in tact. He recovered well, and the newly weds set off to enjoy a beautiful honeymoon at the end of January 2016.
Brendan went for his 6 monthly check up in May 2016 and received the news he longed to hear! His remaining kidney was functioning well, and there were no signs of any cancer. Things were looking up for Brendan and Jess, as they were blessed to be welcoming their first child (first grandchild to both families) in February 2017.
The week before the baby arrived, Brendan headed off for his first year check up. Check ups felt like they were just part of life now, and no one was prepared for the news that what was to come. The scans showed traces of multiple tumours in his kidney (the largest one had grown to 3.5cm in only 6 months), and the cancer had spread to the vein, which needed to be partially removed. Four days after Brendan and Jess welcomed their beautiful baby boy into the world, Brendan was taken in for surgery to have his remaining kidney removed, as well as part of his vein. This meant that he would not get to spend time anytime with his new son Chase for at least 2 weeks after surgery due to possible infections. This also meant that he would have to be on dialysis 3 days per week, for approx. 5 hours per day.
In late 2018 the Kidney cancer had metastasised and they found a small spot on his lower lung. This was surgically removed, and the “all clear” was given again. The months that followed were full of hope, as the focus shifted towards being cancer free for 5 years to enable him to be added to the kidney transplant list. But unfortunately 2 further tumours were found on the upper part of his lung several months apart and required radiation in the hope of killing them off (which they did).
Fast forward to Brendan’s latest check up in September 2019, where he received the news that no one ever wants to hear. His latest scans revealed tumours that have been growing slowly in the last 12 months in his lymph nodes and chest that cannot be treated. There is no cure this time, only medication to block any further growth. The doctors cannot guarantee how long this medication will work for, how the side effects will affect him, or what his life expectancy looks like from here.
All we can do now is to make sure that we spend as much quality time with Brendan, and work together to give him, Jess and Chase every opportunity to build as many memories together as they can.
Please take the time to read through Brendan’s blog (https://www.mylifejourney.com.au/home) to help understand the journey through his eyes. If you don’t know Brendan, you will soon learn that he is a kind, caring, funny man who is a real fighter and will inspire you to live your very best life.
Brendan’s perspective has always been “Clear eyes, Full heart, Can’t lose”. This is something that we could all learn from.
We have arranged a fundraising event on the 17th of November 2019 (please see the Facebook event for details: https://www.facebook.com/events/768125296959279/?ti=icl ), which is where we will announce our plans for the money that we have raised. But if you’re like me and you hate secrets and you really want to know now, please feel free to contact Brendan’s Mum (Donna Foley), or myself (Micarla Dawson). You can find us on Facebook if you don’t know us. We’ll be happy to let you in on the details - as long as you can keep it a secret from Brendan and a Jess for a few weeks!!
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read Brendan’s story, and for your generosity.
Organizer and beneficiary
Micarla Dawson
Organizer
Petrie Terrace QLD
Donna Foley
Beneficiary
