Ian Hill (Hilly) and his loving family fight Cancer

My name is Nicole, this fundraising page is to help Ian Hill (aka Hilly), and his loving family fight cancer. I am a colleague and friend to Ian and like many, wanted to set this up because we want to support Ian and his family through the challenging journey that lies ahead.

Ian was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer (adenocarcinoma), which had spread to 3 lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis.

It all started just a few days before Christmas last year when Ian had been diagnosed with pneumonia after being very ill for about 6 weeks. Multiple trips to the GP resulted in continuous antibiotics and steroids with little reprieve from the shocking cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue. Ian’s wife, Terri respectfully (somewhat!) pushed for scans to be done to determine if there was something else at play… the power of intuition! The GP finally agreed to a CT scan which was done at the Epworth Hospital Emergency Department. Terri waited in the car thinking he would be heading home after the scan.

The next part is still a blur and the timeline of events is something that Ian and Terri are still processing however here’s a snapshot –

• Following the CT scan Ian was admitted to ICU instantly. As he had tested positive for COVID he was put in an isolation room. Ian’s family didn’t see him for 2 weeks following this.

• Ian was found to have blood clots in his lungs as well as significant pericardial effusion (the build-up of too much fluid around the heart). Over this long stint in ICU, he received blood-thinning treatment intravenously and the fluid around his heart drained (over 1.5 litres). Diagnosed pericarditis.

• In the month following discharge, Ian’s lung specialist at the Epworth had tests on the fluid to try and determine why it had built up. This is where atypical cells were found. Cancer still not confirmed at this stage.

• Another CT scan showed a nodule in his lower right lung, followed up with a PET scan and a biopsy of the nodule.

• The heartbreaking news was received in mid-February that the nodule is in fact lung cancer (the type of cancer is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – NSCLC Adenocarcinoma) and that it has already spread to three lymph nodes.

• Further testing from the biopsy showed that the cancer has a genetic mutation which is called RET Fusion. This basically means that a genetic mutation is present within Ian’s normal cells that triggers cells to grow abnormally and potentially spread faster. The RET mutation is found in only 1% of all known lung cancers.

So what happens now? We all help Ian fight this! Ian began Chemotherapy treatment in early March and is currently waiting for scan results to determine the effectiveness of the current regime and potentially the move to a targeted therapy. Ian’s current regime includes every 3 weeks undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy, both of which have had significant side effects.

The targeted therapy that has had good results in a study, is called Retevmo. This drug has been specifically developed to target the RET mutation. This week after chemo the oncologist has recommended that he needs to switch to this drug and cease chemotherapy. Retevmo has been proven to provide effective treatment and ensures a much better quality of life while being treated (compared to chemotherapy). This treatment is required to be taken daily (as a tablet) for as long as his body responds to the medication (typical response timeframes are 12 to 24 months). Unfortunately, Retevmo is not currently available in Australia through the PBS system.

Ian is a father to two beautiful children – Aidan (9) and Lucy (6). He is a husband, a friend, a workmate and a family member in the extended sense of the word.

It is with incredible devastation that Ian and his family must admit that their future has changed in an instant, but we want to help them make as many memories as they can as a family while Ian fights this fight.

Every dollar raised with this fundraiser will go directly to the Hill family to allow them to spend this time building memories as a family. We can also provide some small comfort by removing some of the stress of everyday life and allow them to focus on each other.

Additionally, funds raised will be used for the following expenses –

• Medical expenses

• Mental health support

• Physical health support

• Retevmo treatment (due to not being on the PBS in Australia, if taken for a 24-month period, the total cost will be approximately $190,000 which is $8000 per month)

• To supplement any time Ian and/or Terri need to have off work

• Making memories as a family

Please share this story and keep Ian, Terri, Aidan and Lucy in your thoughts and prayers