Thanks for stopping by, my names Sam Weller.

I realise this isn't the easiest way for some of you to hear what's going on with me, it come as an absolute shock and has been a complete whirlwind.

If you know me, you know I'm one to rarely ask for help. I'll always be the first to put my hand up to help others, I'm proud of this and consider it a strong moral of mine. I'm a do'er and I prefer to give things a crack myself.

Coming to a platform like this isn't my first choice, but my life's taken a dramatic and unexpected turn for the worst. I've started this page with the encouragement and support of loved ones. It's with a heavy heart that I'm sharing this information with you.

On the 16th of September I was diagnosed with Leukaemia, which is a form of blood cancer. I have been admitted in the hospital ever since.

I want to share the timeline of events that got me this far, and encourage you to be proactive investagating even the smallest changes in your body.

Friday the 12th of September would have been my Granddads 100th birthday. I was feeling some pretty raw emotions on this day as he passed just under a year ago. I felt lethargic and unsociable, which for me isn't normal but I put that down to not being able to wish him happy birthday. Went to work a normal day. I had a chill night at home, watched footy and had take away that night.

The next morning, Saturday, I got up for a sunrise walk with my partner and noticed I had some bleeding gums also an odd taste in my mouth. Again, I shrugged that off as flossing too hard the night before.

Sunday morning came about, I still felt off, we went down to the beach for a swim, some sun, a run to the butcher and markets. The taste in my mouth persisted, I noticed small red dots appearing on the inside of my forearms. By Sunday afternoon, my partner noticed these dots had begun to appear on my legs and small bruises began to show up seemingly out of nowhere. I decided to book in to the GP for a blood test/check up the following day, Monday the 15th of September at 2.15pm.

I went to work that Monday, left early to attend my appointment. I explained my symptoms thinking something viral was at play, my GP insisted we send off bloods urgently.

Tuesday at work, my GP calls, the results are back. He wants me there ASAP to discuss. I get in the room, a little nervous. He asks, "do you want Chloe here, this is going to be *f#+a#n shit". My reaction. WTF.

I rang Chloe, within minutes she was straight down from the gym to the GP with me. He tells me, I have a 98% chance of Leukemia Cancer. This moment, uncomprehendable! He proceeds to tell me "Nothing you have done has caused this and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it".

Many types of Leukemia exist. What I have is called T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Most common in children. Even now it's not entirely understood why it happens, but they put it down to a genetic mutation.

Doctors informed me that I could have had this blood test a month ago and found nothing, this kind of cancer comes on that quickly.

Obviously hearing this news on an average Tuesday afternoon completely flipped my world upside down. My GP gave me 2 referrals on the spot. I had to wait out an excruciatingly long night to find a place that would take me in to begin a consultation.

I had no luck the next morning at 2 of the referred cancer specialists, so we were sitting at home in limbo with no direction. Utterly shocked, staring at the walls. In and out of tears. Trying to manage the reality of what was going on and how to let friends and loved one's know. You cannot prepare anyone for this type of news.

The GC Uni hospital phoned me shortly after, telling me to leave home, pack an overnight bag and get to the hospital now. I was admitted into the hospital around 12pm that day and I've been here since.

That first afternoon was a whirlwind to say the least, I was swept through the corridors on my hospital bed to have every test, scan and biospy you could think of. It's a completely foreign world to me, intimidating, scary and impossible to process all at once.

The first 2 days from the moment I walked through that door are a blur, filled with lumber puncture, bone marrow extractions, CT scans, echo's, bloods, a PICC line insertion, and many more tests. I was formally diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia around 40 hours from my arrival at the GC University Hospital.

My first dose of Chemotherapy was on my partner Chloe's birthday. It was an intrathecal injection directly into my spinal cord. My Chemotherapy is also administered intravenously, intramuscularly and orally following the intense protocol for my diagnosis.

It is Beatable! And I'm locked in to get through this!

Being a NZ resident, having lived and worked in Australia for 10+ years my entitlements aren't the same as if I were a citizen.

The hard facts:

I'm forecasted to be out of work for 6-12+ months moving forward, depending how I respond to treatments. It's a difficult reality to accept when you've worked hard to get to where you are.

At the moment I'm taking this day by day, doing my best to focus on nutrition, staying as active as possible whilst in hospital. These feel like the things I can control to aid in my recovery through treatments.

Having no immediate family in Australia I had to get my mum, dad and sister over short and sharp to lend a hand initially.

The protocol I'm following is complicated to say the least. Depending on how my body reacts the time frame in hospital can greatly vary. This first protocol involves 33 days of intense treatment in hospital. But the road is much longer. There is a high chance that I will need a stem cell donor and transplant moving forward. Which involves extended treatment in Brisbane with a long stay away from home.

Again one day at a time! This info will be updated as my treatment continues.

I've tried to be as informative as possible throughout this, without being too long winded. I really struggled letting people know that this is what I'm going through. It's the last thing I want to tell anyone and the shock on the other side of the phone is a hard pill to swallow. A conversation that doesn't get easier!

I'm 37, I love my life, my partner, my amazing friends and family. I love my job, helping others, keeping fit, adventure, nature, hikes, travelling and new experiences. You will usually find me camping by the ocean, fishing, having a laugh and a good time with my mates.

I still have so much love to give!

It's devastating to have all my goals put on hold. But I will beat this!

I have my head screwed on and haven't lost my sense of humour. I won't stop being me.

I have the most amazing friends and family, who are my support crew, I'm so grateful for the uplifting and positive messages. The check ins and the calls of care have been abundant, keeping me mentally on track.

I won't be able to work throughout my treatment so this money will help cover and assist with the ongoing life expenses. The unforeseen costs of certain treatment, the travel to and from Brisbane/Gold Coast appointments, my other daily necessities we are now learning we need. It will support and ease the load of the ongoing expenses associated with this battle.

There are also tailored and extensive nutrition dietary requirements I have to follow to avoid infection as a neutropenic and immunocompromised person.

Any donation will be more than appreciated and if you choose to help me it will help immensely. Not a single one will go unnoticed.

That's a promise!

If you've made it this far, please

SHARE SHARE SHARE it around to whatever platform you can in aid of support!

With the potential of needing a matched stem cell donor, the awareness around the importance of becoming a donor is another important message I want to express here!

Get down to lifeblood, add yourself to the Stem Cell donor registry! Give blood! You could be my match! You could save someones life!

www.lifeblood.com.au

NZ: 0800GIVEBLOOD

Messages are always welcome, we will keep you updated throughout the battle!

Thank you all in advance for all and any support!

I can't thank you enough!

From the bottom of my heart ❤️