To all family, friends, and strangers alike,
We would like to put out a call for your support to help our dear friends Joe and Merilyn, and their two beautiful daughters Evita and Valentina, whose lives have been upended with some distressing news as revealed by their recent Facebook announcement. (Link below)
In January of this year, Joe was diagnosed with B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a treatable but incurable form of blood cancer.
To know that someone we love suffers from this illness and to feel their family’s despair is distressing.
Our desire to help wherever possible is overwhelming.
We have an opportunity to ease some of the unexpected financial burdens, help reduce distractions and allow them to focus their concerns where they are most needed, with their family’s health and well-being.
If you are able, please join us in supporting this family during their time of need.
Thank you all,
Karen, Brenton and Bronwen
Joe’s Journey:
* December 2021
Christmas photo reveals no evidence of a lump on Joe's neck.
* January 2022
A photo from January shows evidence of a lump on Joe's neck which was dismissed as a fat deposit. Joe starts feeling very fatigued and this is put down to late working hours (finishing at 3.00am).
* September 2022
Decided to have the lump assessed by their GP and received an ultrasound referral.
* Oct/Nov 2022
Both Mel and Joe’s fathers' fall ill and pass away, 19 days apart and 14 months after Merilyn’s brother had passed away.
Their focus is shifted to their wider family's needs and not primarily on Joe's health.
* November 2022
Joe noticed a lump on the side of his tongue.
A new employment opportunity arises (at a local school) which would help address current fatigue issues (daytime work hours).
* December 2022
GP visit for a COVID vaccination and a reminder to complete the neck ultrasound.
Notice is given that he will be resigning from his current job in the new year.
* January 2023
Results from ultrasound are referred for a biopsy.
Interview secured and position offered with new employer (at school).
On the same day the new employment position is offered, received biopsy results and diagnosed with B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Contacted new employer to delay starting date and allow time to investigate treatment.
ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialist advises treatment under Haematologist.
Haematologist consultation discusses diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treatment involves six rounds of chemotherapy, 21 days apart.
STEM Cell harvest after the 4th chemotherapy round and then STEM Cell transplant after the 6th round (which will require hospitalisation on the Gold Coast for 5 weeks).
Chest Scan, PET scan, multiple blood tests.
Advised not to begin new employment position at school due to compromised immunity.
Told ongoing treatment and maintenance are required for the rest of his life.
* February 2023
First round of chemotherapy was on Monday 20th February.
Unable to work due to ongoing 21-day treatment causing severe fatigue and side effects.
Forced to delay 3rd round of treatment due to his levels not returning to a number that they could treat again.
Haematologist is hoping for a 5 to 10-year remission, however, the cancer will return (possibly in another form), and Joe will be required to undergo new treatment when this occurs.
* May 2023
Chemotherapy side effects continue and lead to 2nd hospitalisation.
Now over halfway through the Chemotherapy treatment (4th round) and the Stem cell harvest has been completed.
Stem cell transplant is scheduled for July.